Decisions decisions! Need advice!

[JMayRose]

Hello all! I'm in a potentially wonderful predicament that has my heart racing and hopeful. Background: I am a pre nursing student (BSN-RN), I start the Nursing Program in January. I'm honored and humbled to begin an education for a future in nursing! Here's my predicament. I have been applying to jobs at a local hospital since June for patient care tech positions and after two months of applying to probably 15 different positions and one interview where they wanted to hire me but couldn't because of my lack of experience (they really needed someone with experience for the specific position) I started losing hope and decided to begin applying to other jobs in the hospital, clerical type jobs thinking that any job at the hospital could be a positive step forward into my future career by at least being in a medical environment. So I began applying to those "other" positions that aren't necessarily related to nursing. My husband had a job change back in May and our finances have taken a hit, I need to start working again to help out with this burden. YESTERDAY I received a call about a job I applied for back in June for a PCT position (registry; days; no benefits) and was asked if I still had interest and I nearly jumped out of my seat with excitement that I received a call at all and said yes. We scheduled an interview for Wednesday of next week. The position is on a women's surgery floor, and while I'm not sure yet what I want to specialize in I've always seen myself in an emergency/surgery/operating type position. That desire may change as I'm introduced to different specialties through clinical rotations throughout nursing school. Well TODAY, I received a call about a position I applied to last month for a Patient Access Representative in the Emergency Room (same hospital; full time; great schedule; benefits; guaranteed pay) and was asked if I was still interested and again, excited to hear anything at all concerning a job in a medical environment, I said "Yes" and we set up an interview for Wednesday of next week after my other interview. I didn't mention that I already had an interview that morning because I've not "landed' either job and honestly I want them both. If I can have them both I'll take them both but I have so many concerns and questions. Any advice for the following thoughts running through my head would be appreciated, or even your opinions at all are greatly appreciated. I am aware that I may be rejected from one or both positions but I'd like to remain optimistic and confident that I am capable and qualified for both positions and that I would be the best candidate for either or both positions. Please don't take my hope and optimism for arrogance.

1) I believe that the PCT position would help me more in the future as far as being able to maintain a job while in Nursing School and the experience I would receive is a blessing and would help me not only after nursing school but through nursing school. Do you agree?

2) I fear the PCT position doesn't really help me in the right now because there are no benefits, the pay isn't as good as the other job, and the hours aren't promised because it's a registry position. Thoughts?

3) The ER position has so many pros and would help in the right now but I fear it wouldn't necessarily help me in my future career when compared to the PCT position. Thoughts?

4) The ER position would not directly interfere with school in the Spring because the hours are 5pm-530 am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I can see how the lack of sleep and the time taken away from my studies and family life could potentially take to an emotional toll on me as well as potential lack of sleep depending on my school schedule. However, I've worked full time (even 13 hour shifts) as a full time student and single mom and maintained a 4.0 gpa before. I know people do it all the time and I know I am capable. The upside is now, I have remarried so I have an even stronger support system and incredible extended family. Thoughts?

Basically I'm weighing pros and cons before my eggs hatch because I never want to insult anyone who is going to potentially offer such wonderful positions, especially since it's for the same hospital. I don't want to burn bridges and I need discernment, I need help determining a plan of action if this situation does in fact present itself. I've obviously spoken with family about this but none of my family is in the medical field so I need "insider" perspective. Any thoughts, comments, anything constructive to help me see from other perspectives is what I need and I appreciate anyone who is willing to offer their opinion on this matter.

[Sour Lemon]

Easy. If you're broke, take the full time job. Actually, you could probably accept the registry job, too.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

The potential issues with the full-time position:

1. Call the school about the lecture times on Fridays and Mondays. If they last until 4:30 or after on Fridays, will you have enough time to get to work?

2. Will you have classes all day on Friday. You would be going class all day and then working 12hrs overnight.

3. Reverse for Monday. You will get off work at 5:30 am Monday morning and have classes/ clinicals all day without sleep.

4. What about tests on Monday? You will be working the night before the test.

I worked 630p-630a Friday and Saturday during school, so it is doable. You need to be hyper-organized to keep all of your balls in the air.

Doing both jobs will probably not be allowed. The registry position hours would put you on overtime since both jobs are at the same hospital.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Take anything you can get. Money and networking!

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Just realize this, just because you land a hospital job, does not guarantee future employment. Many have that notion and truly this is a company that will have to spend money on an employee that will eventually quit. That will not necessarily bode well in your favor.

Currently, you need the money. Go for the job with benefits, that pays more. No brainer. Just be careful in both interviews when mentioning school and see how it could possibly work into your daily school schedule in the future. Clinicals can take place 24/7. I know we get students on night shift from time to time. We also hire PCTs who are nursing students constantly. So you need to look at what is more nursing school friendly.

[Cat365]

When do you start nursing school? If it is in January. I would probably take the part time. If it is not until next summer/fall go for the full time and save money.

They probably won't let you do both jobs for the reason a previous poster mentioned. Overtime. You would wind up with too many hours and since it is the same hospital they have to count all of your hours together. It doesn't matter that they are separate jobs.

One thing to consider is once you are with an organization, sometimes you can switch positions and be given preference over outside applicants. So if you took the full time now and later when school starts you might be able to go part time.