Question RE: supplemental position

[trauma_lama, BSN]

Hello esteemed nurse friends! I'm posting this here because I figure you all will be able to best answer my question (as opposed to nursing students) since you've been through all this stuff and come out on top...I start nursing school this August () and I'm hoping to snag a supplemental NA position at one of the near by hospitals. My two questions:

I. How many hours is supplemental? I'm having trouble finding an answer anywhere online, and it's not in the FAQ section on the hospital pages I'm searching for employment with. How far off is my understanding: ft = 36+ hrs, pt = 15-30 hrs, and supplemental/casual = 6-12 hrs...?

II. Is the experience worth it with regards to the study time I'll need to put in? I work at a little boutique about 10 hrs/week, and when I'm there it's usually just me so I get a lot of studying done. If I work as a NA, I won't have time to study while I'm there but I will obviously get a lot of experience and learn a lot of hands on stuff...and I'm aware that hospital experience helps new grads' chances of getting hired right out of school. So should I stick to my boutique to get more book-study time in or forfeit some study time for hands on experience ?

Thanks so much for any help you can give me; I want to make sure I play my cards right so I'll be the best nurse I can be!

[KayRN910]

I would suggest keeping your job for a semester while you get adjusted to nursing school. It's going to be enough pressure for you to get adjusted, I would hate for you to fail because you have too much change going on at one time.

On the other hand, once you get a semester under your belt, not only will you have probably adjusted to nursing school, but you will be more experienced to get a better job has an aide. Sometimes hospitals will have positions esp for people in nursing school and it often leads to a job once you graduate.

I worked almost full time while in nursing school as a lab tech, but I wouldn't suggest that. I think a little experience is great! And usually if you are honest about being in nursing school, they understand if you say you can't work because you are studying. You just have to find a balance, which is why I suggest you getting a semester under your belt and looking in January.

Good luck!!!

[trauma_lama, BSN]

thanks a lot! keep 'em comin!