Employment after 1st Year

[SRN2018]

Hi there!

I am just about to finish up my first year of nursing school in May! YAY! Some of the professors have mentioned the opportunity to work as PCT's in the hospital after completion of the first year of nursing school. I am wondering if this holds true? And if there are any places in Oregon (Preferably Acute Care) that will hire 1st year students as techs.

Thank you!!

[emmjayy, BSN, RN]

It depends on your school and the requirements of the hospital. I am working at a hospital as an aide and became eligible to do that once I passed first semester and satisfactorily completed 120 clinical hours (which I did in my first semester). The hospital lets me float to med-surg, telemetry, cardiac, and ortho floors with occasional shifts in the ED and ICU. I'm not in Oregon though and I imagine these things are pretty individualized. Ask your faculty advisor about this, as they will have the most up-to-date and relevant information.

[Sassyrose]

I have no idea about Oregon. However, if you can get a job as a tech, ESPECIALLY if you are able to get one at a hospital you would be interested in working at after graduation, I STRONGLY suggest you do it. I did not, and I watched my classmates that were aides or techs have a much easier time getting hired into hospitals. This was more true if they were an aide at the hospital they applied for, but it still helped greatly. Just make sure you do per diem or something so you can turn shifts down once school starts if you need more time to study or whatnot. Also, make sure you won't get mandated to stay on days you have classes, etc. I know around here, aides get mandated because they are so short staffed, but my classmates made it work, so it's possible.