Gaining experience other than volunteering!

[laronicavan]

I am a sophomore nursing student and I am trying to gain experience ! I have volunteered so much! My specialty is going to neonatal by the way and I know about being a neonatal PCT but is it worth it? Are there any internships that I can do? Please help!

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

While your enthusiasm is both impressive and reminiscent, you would be wise to take a job as a PCT in whatever area you can find it.

While you may want your specialty to be neonatal, it is rare that new grads are accepted into specialties, and getting a job--just a job, period--is difficult anymore.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Have you started clinicals yet? If so, I'm surprised to hear you question the value of a part-time PCT job. If you have spent any time in the hospital at all as a student and/or volunteer, surely the value of PCT experience is immediately apparent.

[KJM-RN, BSN]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure a PCT position in a neonatal unit is hard to come by as the RN does total patient care. Gaining experience in the hospital setting will help you to land a job upon graduation. The summer before your senior year you can work as a nurse intern (or extern), but those are usually competitive to land. If you're looking to work, it's definitely a great idea to work in a hospital or nursing home to make connections for when you graduate as an RN.