Summertime Employment

rachel h, BSN, RN · May 10, 2003

I don't know why the only job you'd be able to get is in a nursing home? My first nurse's aide job was in Post Anesthesia Recovery (aka the recovery room) and I had no prior hospital experience nor had I even enrolled in nursing school. It wouldn't hurt to look around and see what you can find. Good Luck!

whipping girl in 07, RN · May 10, 2003

I worked many jobs during nursing school, and I only lasted 6 weeks as a CNA (and that wasn't even in a nursing home but floating at a big hospital).

If you don't want to be a CNA, there's nothing wrong with that. The nurses that I graduated with that were CNAs had a little bit of an advantage in clinicals, but once we got out of school, we were pretty much on equal footing at our first jobs.

There are other jobs in the hospital though. My nurse manager hires second semester seniors as techs in ICU and they get to follew a nurse on the days they work and practice their assessment skills. One of the girls I graduated with worked in recovery room.

Wiping poop as a CNA for $6.50/hr in nursing school just wasn't worth it for me. Much better to wait tables and make $10-15/hr!

ava'smomRN · May 10, 2003

i think you can work elsewhere also. I thought that i would dread working with the elderely. and i mean really really didnt want to do it. but after learning ab0out the elderly and learning about all the abuse the endure it made me do a 360. i thought maybe i could make some difference in the elderly life.my first day on clincals i was still a little shaky but when i looked into the elderly eyes and seen that they needed help i put everything else aside. i also thought this is someones grandmothers/mom/ sis etc. and it will be me one day if i am that blessed. what im trying to say is don't be so fast to say no. and at some point whle in nursing school you are gonna have tp help they eldederly. i hope you didnt take this the wrong way, im just trying to help you out

Shell7280 · May 10, 2003

After my first year in nursing school I worked as a Nurse Extern at the hospital on a GYN/URO floor, some days I was aide somedays I got to take one or two patients and do everything except meds for them. It's a great opportunity to see nurses at work, and get some experience with charting and some skills. ANd it payed $9.50/HR

joyflnoyz, LPN · May 10, 2003

Working as a CNA gives great experience in dealing with those who need care..practical skills, people skills, dealing with visitors.

geee..sounds like resturant work LOL

If you don't want to work with the elderly, PLEASE DON'T! I work with enough cna's who really don't want to be there, and my residents do not get the care they deserve.

Nothing wrong with not wanting to work in a nursing home, but as a nurse in a clinical setting (everything I can think of except OB and Peds/schooo) you WILL be a geriatric nurse at one time or another.. The population is living longer with more illness and disease

I have learned a lot from my elderly residents, professional skills that can be applied anywhere.

it is fascinating to sit down and find out about the lives they led. I had one lady who had been a professor of textiles, and other who spoke 7 languages fluently. A man who was an officer in the navy, an (structural?)engineer and a practical joker :)

TMS2121 · May 11, 2003

In response to your concern I would just like to let you know that I too am a student nurse who has just completed my junior year of nursing school and have one more year to go. In Connecticut, student nurses are not aides but are hired as "student nurse techs". Yes, you will do some of the aide work that is required, but that is all a part of learning. There's no one to tell you that you can't utilize your stethoscope to listen to heart or lung sounds or to brush up on your physical assessment skills. You should also be aware that many hospitals offer internship programs for student nurses who wish to learn and get paid at the same time. I still am not sure what field of nursing that I want to stick with, but I suggest starting your learning experience on a MED/SURGE unit b/c this is where you will the majority of your nursing skills.

I feel as though you and I have gone through the same predicament. I too used to waitress for many years while in highschool and during my first two years of college. But.....it is going to be worth your while to get your foot in the door now and gain the experince that you need to become a proficient nurse one day. I also spoke with my professors who were very supportive, and they were an excellent source when it came time to ask for letters of recommendation. Good Luck and keep me posted. I'm sure you will find a student nurse tech(SNT) position at a hospital in your area. :)

HollieRN · May 11, 2003

Thank you all SO much for your words of encouragement :)

I was talking to a classmate today and it seems like a lot of people have found jobs as nurses aides ... I'm gonna call the hospital monday and find out what i can about getting a job there. Not sure we have techs or not, but i'll find out.

Thanks again :)

cna on her way · May 11, 2003

I think that being a CNA is a very hard and rewarding job. I understand that you aren't content with geriatrics, but trust me, you will work with geriatrics somewhere down the line. I have been a CNA for 3 years and now work in a Burn Unit at a major medical center and I love it. I have taken a plus four class and can already insert foley catheders, take glucometers, do sterile dressings, dc IV sites, dress IV sites and a variety of other things and I haven't even been accepted into the nursing program yet. So you can gain so much as an aide! I also used to do LTC and I was not really excited at first about geriatrics either, but I ended up liking it. I probably would have stayed there but my hospital offers scholarships for school and I need that. By the way, I make over $10.00 per hour and accrue 24 PTO days per year, so the pay is fine.

Nurse Ratched, RN · May 11, 2003

Originally posted by HollieSRN06
I was talking to a classmate today and it seems like a lot of people have found jobs as nurses aides ... I'm gonna call the hospital monday and find out what i can about getting a job there. Not sure we have techs or not, but i'll find out.

Good for you! :) I'm sure they must have techs. I agree - don't work someplace you truly don't want to. I encourage people to wokr in nursing homes if they have a special feel for that population. If you don't, by all means don't go there - life is to short to work in jobs you don't enjoy!