Full-time PCA/PCT while in nursing school?

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2015

I wish I had stayed full time at my original job -- I was afraid that it was something I wouldn't be able to handle. I was wrong. If you are used to hard things and are willing to work until you're near delirium, then you can do full time and school as well. :) Good luck!

secquoria, CNA · Jun 2, 2015

I'm in a similar position. Just hired for PCT on a busy Tele floor on night shift and start my ADN this fall. To be honest, I'm nervous but it's my only option and i cannot reduce to part time. a lot of posters on the site have stated that you must have excellent time management and organization... I'd say go for it. Full time position and get job orientation out of the way before you have to focus on class. Hopefully by August, you'd have a job routine set and familiarity with your unit. Right now, I'm not overwhelmed but like you, it's something I do worry about.

cdsavannah59, CNA · Jun 2, 2015

I work 12 hour shifts as a PCT at a local hospital, 3 days a week. Don't seem like much because you get 4 days off a week. Well after walking those hospital floors for 12 straight hours with only total of 45 minute rest time, I do not have a desk to sit at like the nurses, I can sit briefly in between some task but that is rare because as soon as I do some nurse is calling me to do something for her. Exhausted by end of shift. It's a lot of work being a PCT on day shift, exhausting. I thought I would love being a PCT and was so happy to get certificate, but it's exhausting me to the point I would love to find a regular 8-9 hour job five days a week. So in my opinion if you are prepared for that type of work activity and school try to limit work hours worked because nursing school requires a lot of focus.

boricualuna · Jun 2, 2015

I worked as a full time 7a shift tech the entire 2 years of nursing school. I mainly worked fri-sun. I'm also a mother of two who graduated from the program with honors. Yes it's hard and you really do need to be organized. I had a paper calendar and calendar on my phone that I put everything from working, lecture, clinicals, dr appt. my paper calendar was a "monthly" one and I was able to see everything at a glance. Did I mention my paper calendar was color coordinated.

WCSU1987 · Jun 2, 2015

I am in the midst of trying to apply to positions in my field at the main hospital of the organization I work at. They offer 12 hour shifts and hold seats in a local nursing program that is a part time evening/weekend program. Basically if I can work it out be 3 days of work...3 day's of class at night. Then on my weekends off I go to school that Saturday and have Sunday off, since program is every other Saturday of the month. It is one out of two program's in the state that are the only part time nursing program's so nervous it won't work out. Because the only other option is a 8-2 M-F at most of the CC's in the area...have to hope can swing a Friday-Sunday 36 hour shift without burning myself out, ha.

rn321 · Jun 2, 2015

you're one smart woman!! Congratulations!!

Jerseygirl609 · Jun 3, 2015

I work 12 hour shifts as a PCT at a local hospital, 3 days a week. Don't seem like much because you get 4 days off a week. Well after walking those hospital floors for 12 straight hours with only total of 45 minute rest time, I do not have a desk to sit at like the nurses, I can sit briefly in between some task but that is rare because as soon as I do some nurse is calling me to do something for her. Exhausted by end of shift. It's a lot of work being a PCT on day shift, exhausting. I thought I would love being a PCT and was so happy to get certificate, but it's exhausting me to the point I would love to find a regular 8-9 hour job five days a week. So in my opinion if you are prepared for that type of work activity and school try to limit work hours worked because nursing school requires a lot of focus.

I currently work as a float nurse assistant 8hrs/5days night shift 11p-7:30a. Hoping to start an evening RN program in January. I was thinking of switching to a tech position in the ER thinking 3/12hr shifts would be easier for school, but after reading your post I'm not so sure. Like you said the techs are constantly moving and barely get a break. I've got it kind of good with my current position. Most of the time I can get about 3 hours of schoolwork done per shift, if I get a 1:1 where the patient sleeps all night (maybe once every two weeks this happens) I might have my entire 8 hours to study. The only problem is since I work 5 days/week I will have to go from school straight to work, home to sleep, back to school repeat. I have a husband and two kids involved in school sports that I'd like to be able to see once in a while lol. Part time is not an option for me.

cdsavannah59, CNA · Jun 5, 2015

I currently work as a float nurse assistant 8hrs/5days night shift 11p-7:30a. Hoping to start an evening RN program in January. I was thinking of switching to a tech position in the ER thinking 3/12hr shifts would be easier for school, but after reading your post I'm not so sure. Like you said the techs are constantly moving and barely get a break. I've got it kind of good with my current position. Most of the time I can get about 3 hours of schoolwork done per shift, if I get a 1:1 where the patient sleeps all night (maybe once every two weeks this happens) I might have my entire 8 hours to study. The only problem is since I work 5 days/week I will have to go from school straight to work, home to sleep, back to school repeat. I have a husband and two kids involved in school sports that I'd like to be able to see once in a while lol. Part time is not an option for me.

I used to do 2 days on, next day off then do my third day, then off for the next three. I have now switched to working every other day Monday thru Friday because it is hard on legs, feet after several months of doing this routine. So my advise is to wear support hose and good shoes to prevent those varicose veins that a lot of people get from jobs with long standing periods. After work it feels like I walked across the entire state of Ga mile wise lol. And if your off work after doing two or three days of shifts, all your gonna wanna do on your day off is stay in bed lol. Hey I'm not saying this is how every one feels, but on my unit we have 25 rooms and I'm the only tech who must do vitals on both mom and baby three times a shift, takes about two hours or more each time because of all the other distractions, such as getting patient supplies they request, putting ice in cups, empty trash that is full etc. and all the duties in between vital times. We actually are clicked in for 12 1/2 hours and the just remove thirty minute lunch from time card. Then your allowed one 10-15 minute break. Otherwise it's go go go all day long, sometimes without sitting the entire time except for break times. I really think it's what unit your placed on, that determines what workload is placed on you so try to get a unit that has more then one tech and not a lot of patients per tech.. Going to school and working three 12 hour shifts can be done as many people do it, just be prepared for the energy level you will need to get through nursing school. God luck.

cdsavannah59, CNA · Jun 6, 2015

Oops auto correct got me, meant good luck on last sentence lol.

MochaFiend · Jun 13, 2015

Wow!!! All these stories have really inspired me! I once attempted to go to school (pre-reqs) full time while working full time as a PCT (nights) and I didn't do so well. However, that has been a few years ago, and I'm now working PRN as a Clerical Partner / Telemetry Tech (it's nice to have my foot in the door) while working toward my BSN. Congrats and thanks for sharing :up:

MochaFiend · Jun 13, 2015

It also helps that at minimum, I'm only required to work five 12 hour shifts in a six week period. That will come in handy next semester and perhaps in nursing school as well.