First hospital job (pre-nursing student)

Sunsfire · Mar 17, 2010

I wanted to say Congrats on getting a call back on the position. I'm taking my pre-reqs right now and just recently applied to my local hospital for the same position. It's been two weeks now with no call back . I really wanted to get a head start and get into the medical environment - and to get out of retail, good luck to you!

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Mar 17, 2010

at patient transporter is someone who well transports patients.....you could most likley be pushing them in gurneys to radiology and back to their rooms, or pushing them in wheelchairs outside at discharge, transporting pts from PACU to a bed, or from thier room to surgery. You need to know good body mechanics because you would in moving the paitents from thier room in thier bed to the gurney and back. You could be helping move patients in the radiology department.

The pay either possibly slightly above minimium wage

and I think any job in the healthcare field is a great start, good luck to you

lcr499 · Mar 17, 2010

I worked in patient escort while working on my undergrad. I kind of fell into the job because my friend, who was in nursing school, was working at our University hospital. I really never thought much about it, as I was a business major, but I liked it and it payed well. I think I made around $10/hr, but that was 5 years ago.

The job was an eye opening experience. You definitely see what working in a hospital is like and can get a good feel of the atmosphere. I remember having to suit up to go into isolation rooms, having patients be handcuffed to their bed with a police officer with them, and plenty of patients who just needed a friendly face to say hello. It also gave me a good idea of what nurses do, some of the different specialties (in a very broad sense), and what made some of the nurses exceptional.

And... after working in marketing and advertising for a few years, and absolutely hating it, I kept thinking back to that job. It was one of the experiences that has helped me decide to go back to school for nursing!! I am thrilled to be starting a direct entry MSN program in June!

I would assume the interviewer will ask you a few questions to the effect of "why are you applying," "what experience do you have working with people," "do you have any experience dealing with sick people/people in pain," etc. Don't stress out too much about it, I'm sure you'll do fine!

Best of luck!

ItsTheDude · Mar 17, 2010

4) What kinds of questions will the interview consist of?

i wouldn't worry much about it, it's an entry level position, they're not expecting much for the amount of money they pay. my guess is, you've basically sold them by being a nursing student.

twentytenRN · Mar 17, 2010

I have a couple questions:
1) What is working as a patient transporter like?
People before me have already covered this and the job title says it all. You'll be moving patients around, transporting them via wheelchair, stretcher, etc. from their rooms on the floors to different procedure areas such as radiology and surgery and moving patients from the ER to their rooms on the floor or to surgery. You may work with outpatients too, transporting and escorting them to lab, radiology and such.
2) Pay? Not really an issue...I'm just curious.
Probably somewhere around $10/hr since this is your first hospital job.
3) Will this help me get the aide job at the hospital at home (it has basically the same requirements)?
Possibly. You can list the experience on your resume and you only have something to gain by this (assuming you keep a great track record with attendance and performance). Further down the road when you're finished with nursing school and you're ready to get your first job as a nurse, having healthcare experience on your resume can help, but it just depends.
4) What kinds of questions will the interview consist of?
There's lots of threads on this topic if you will do a search for "interview questions." Most likely you will get asked standard interview questions because it's not a "nursing" position and they just want to see about your level of responsibility and accountability. Your highlight will be that you're a pre-nursing student and you're eager to get a start in healthcare. This could just be a foot in the door.

Congrats on the interview and good luck! :up:

savasgun · Mar 17, 2010

While doing this keep an eye on patient care tech and similar positions that would give you a greater advantage in means of job experience before an RN position.

SingDanceRunLife · Mar 17, 2010

While doing this keep an eye on patient care tech and similar positions that would give you a greater advantage in means of job experience before an RN position.

I plan on working at this very same hospital as a student nurse aide starting next springs :) The only nurse aides in the entire hospital are nursing students, from their CON, so I'm pretty much guaranteed a spot, especially if I get this patient transport job.

SingDanceRunLife · Mar 18, 2010

So...I was looking at the job postings again...and they have an opening for a phlebotomist...here's the posting:

POSITION SUMMARY: Collects appropriate blood specimens from patients using proper technique. Follows all standard precautions and infection control policies and procedures. Acknowledges patients using appropriate customer service techniques. EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE: High school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with science courses and/or previous phlebotomy experience preferred. Participates in orientation and continuing education and updates and maintains knowledge and skills related to specific areas of expertise. Demonstrates age specific competency annually on age populations served as identified in scope of care and services.

Pretty similar requirements for the patient transport job...should I apply for it even though I have an interview for another position? I figure that this would be a better job because it actually entails some medical duties, and would be really good practice for nursing school and such...and I wouldn't have to worry about learning a skill one way then having to relearn it because this hospital is where all my nursing classes and clinicals are.

What do you think?

savasgun · Mar 18, 2010

I can see a licence requirement? Thats suprising. Some phlebotomy programs require medical terminology as a pre req. In worst case you can get one in 4 weeks to 4 months. Plus in order to get licenced you need to do 100 draws and etc which would give you some hands-on-experience I think that would guarantee your phlebotomy place.

I wish you the best. :up:

SingDanceRunLife · Mar 18, 2010

I can see a licence requirement? Thats suprising. Some phlebotomy programs require medical terminology as a pre req. In worst case you can get one in 4 weeks to 4 months. Plus in order to get licenced you need to do 100 draws and etc which would give you some hands-on-experience I think that would guarantee your phlebotomy place.
I wish you the best.

Huh?

There is no licensing requirement for the job which is why I would consider applying...it says High school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with science courses and/or previous phlebotomy experience preferred. Participates in orientation and continuing education and updates and maintains knowledge and skills related to specific areas of expertise. Demonstrates age specific competency annually on age populations served as identified in scope of care and services. Nothing about having a license...and I'm not licensed, but I do have a high school diploma, and I'm currently enrolled in A&P, so I could be qualified enough. They train on the job for this position.

SingDanceRunLife · Mar 23, 2010

I ended up not applying for the phlebotomy job.

I did interview for the patient transport job, and I feel like it went pretty well. I also think my chances are fairly good because I want to work weekends which is when everyone else wants off!

Guess I'll find out soon enough :)