Huge dilemmas...advice please!!

[Jessica415]

Hello everyone, first post here and I have to say, this website is a wealth of information. My name is Jess and I'm 26, single mama with a 4 yr old son. I have a lot of geneds completed and going back to school this spring to take A&P 1 and my math and Chem, and applying for NS for fall 09.

I was working full time in the oil and gas business doing administrative work and recently leasing came to an end so we lost our jobs (unless we could travel which I definitely could not) So... I began looking for jobs in the area (and let me tell you it is not easy here with no degree) I started applying for jobs at the hospital, (nurse extender jobs and unit clerk positions) wanting to be in the healthcare setting, especially since I'm going back to school to get my nursing degree.

Here is my dilemma #1. I interviewed for a unit clerk position 2 weeks ago and was offered the job...due to the unit clerk class beginning soon, I had to make the decision to accept immediately (orientation was to start a few days later, and my physical was the very next day after they called me) I really wanted a nurse extender position for the hands on patient care and experience, but I thought I should take this as it was presented and did not want to decline for I thought that could hinder my chances of being offered another job there. moving on...

I had orientation this week and my feelings toward nurse extending grew more, and I have been having 2nd thoughts about the unit clerk position. I started unit clerk class today, and of course came home to see a new nurse extender position (full time in the E.R.) was just posted today.

My question is, would it be terribly wrong of me to go talk to H.R. about this? Would they look at me like I was ridiculous or do you think they could help me transfer or be considered for the nurse extender position?

I feel that I would be a better fit there and would learn so much. And the experience would be invaluable.

:uhoh21:

Other dilemmas include trying to work/go to school, etc all at the same time with a 4 yr old but I believe that where there is a will there has to be a way. I am strong willed and determined, but terrified and overwhelmed at the same time.

Any advice anyone can give me would be MUCH appreciated.

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

IMO, you could certainly go talk to HR, it couldn't hurt to show an interest. if they can't facilitate this for you, i will say that a unit secretary job will give you immense experience that will be very useful later on in your career. again, IMO, a good unit secretary actually keeps a unit running well and keeps the RN's on track....who's going where, when, routine labs for disease processes, medical terminology, meds, doses, radiological testing, preps required. don't sell the unit secretary job short. you can definately learn allot!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I don't think it would hurt to talk to HR. We are trying to recruit people to start in ANY position and work into a nursing role. If you explain that you want to go to nursing school and want a job that would provide the most experience than maybe they will listen. HOWEVER, the Unit Clerk learns an awful lot - facility procedures, chain of command, how to transcribe orders, data entry---- a lot of stuff. You would get valuable training in either job. ALSO, if you took the UC job, you could transfer later when you knew more about the facility and had an idea of where you want to work. Just hang in there!

[jbudrick, MSN]

It is my belief that Unit Secretaries earn a significantly higher salary than a nurse extender. You would also have more opportunities to interact with other professionals and patient families. I have never seen a doctor or family member go to a nurse extender for information, but it is common for them to communicate with a Unit Secretary.

Good luck in your new job and in your pursuit for a nursing degree.

[Straydandelion]

I don't think it matters much since you won't have either job after you graduate and IMO you can learn from both jobs.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

It is my belief that Unit Secretaries earn a significantly higher salary than a nurse extender. You would also have more opportunities to interact with other professionals and patient families. I have never seen a doctor or family member go to a nurse extender for information, but it is common for them to communicate with a Unit Secretary.

Good luck in your new job and in your pursuit for a nursing degree.

Depends where you work. In my area unit secreataries only make around $8/hr while PCT's make $10-$12/hr. Your mileage may vary. :)

[Jessica415]

It is my belief that Unit Secretaries earn a significantly higher salary than a nurse extender. You would also have more opportunities to interact with other professionals and patient families. I have never seen a doctor or family member go to a nurse extender for information, but it is common for them to communicate with a Unit Secretary.

Good luck in your new job and in your pursuit for a nursing degree.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Keep it coming if anyone else has any insight. Unit Clerks make $1/hr more than Extenders where I'm working.

[JSB]

Before I was a nurse, I worked as a patient care tech in the ER. I did get lots of practice with different procedures, and had lots of patient interaction. However, now that I am a nurse, I think that the unit secretaries actually learn a lot of things that may help in nursing school than a patient care tech/nurse extender would, such as when pts have to be NPO before procedures, or what the protocols for treating certain problems are, and ust the general way things are run in the hospital. I think that when it comes time, everyone can learn how to do a certain skill, but patient care techs do not always have to use any critical thinking skills - they just do what the nurse asks them, or follow pre-established patterns for care. You may actually be better off in the unit secretary position IMHO. Both patient care techs and unit secretaries are invaluable staff members - the good ones are like gold.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I am going to go with some of the other comments here and suggest the following:

Spend some time as a UC. The experience is invaluable in the hospital in each role. As you progress through school then I would potentially see about a more hands on role to sort of go along with your training.

Sounds like you are on the right track :)

Tait

PS. If you really want to learn what being a nurse is like...get a waitressing job! The only difference between my seven years as a fine dining server and nursing is no poop duty!

[Vito Andolini]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Keep it coming if anyone else has any insight. Unit Clerks make $1/hr more than Extenders where I'm working.

What an insult. Those breaking their backs and cleaning poo make less?

Anyway, talk to HR, talk to Nursing Service, talk to whoever you have to talk to about it but do it now, before they spend too much time and money getting you trained for ward clerk.

[BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

The unit clerk position really is great experience, especially if it is at the hospital you plan on working at as a nurse. I really think that you will find, when you start clinicals in nursing school, the "hands on" pt care you get as a tech won't be near as exciting any more.

The unit clerk position will familiarize you with the many different departments of the hospital, the different docs etc. It really is valuable experience.

Best of luck to you. I went through nursing school as a single parent of two beautiful girls,..our lives revolved around "as soon as Mom is out of school________",..it sucks, but you can do it!!

[tvccrn, ASN, RN]

Where are you locagted? In Wisconsin, a nurse extender is already a nurse, they work for physicians and make good money. They also have to have at least a Bachelors degree to even be considered for the nurse extender position.