Wedging my foot in that crack...

MoopleRN · Nov 5, 2012

...I was thinking of maybe trying to land an administrative position or if I'm really lucky a unit secretary position...
Should I try to gun for an admin slot that will pay only slightly less than what I make now (10 or so an hour instead of the 14 or so I make now)? Will that even make a difference since I wouldn't be there in a clinical setting providing direct patient care? I sure would be happier and learn a TON through daily interaction.

Do you seriously think you're qualified for an "admin slot" and that it will pay slightly less... (10 or so an hour instead of the 14 you make now)"?!? Do you really think a unit secretary position is more "lucky" than an administrative position?!? This whole post is really confusing for me. Based on your OP, I don't think you understand the pecking order of health care. I also don't think unit secretaries have more "direct patient care" than CNAs (generally speaking, I recognize that some USs/CNAs wear the same hat.

KBICU · Nov 5, 2012

Do what you can as a CNA and sometimes CNAs get cross trained as unit secretaries, phleb techs, tele techs etc. direct patient care and learning to interact with people will make you a better nurse in the end. I was an LNA for 3 years before I became a nurse and it taught me so much I wouldn't change my time as an LNA for anything. Good luck :)

medic9872 · Nov 5, 2012

A unit secretary is not a direct pt care job. As a us you will be transcribing orders and entering them into the computer. You will be calling doctors and telling them they have a consult or that the nurse would like to speak to them. You will be setting up follow up appts for pts going home. You will be answering phones and call lights. You will be filing papers in charts. You won't be spending time with patients.

Sometimes a us will double as a CNA in a small unit like a small icu. Those jobs usually go to people with previous experience. I don't know what sort of admin jobs you are talking about but usually those go to people with previous experience as well. If you truly want to work in healthcare prior to becoming a nurse, try a part time job. See how you like it. See how it works with your finances. I know how it is to be a single parent and also a student with a full time job. I have two kids and worked a full time ems job (48-72 hours a week) plus went to school three days a week for my paramedic program. It sucked. I was away from home a LOT. But it wasn't forever. We survived. And you will too. Good luck to you.

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dudette10, MSN, RN · Nov 5, 2012

I think the OP is using the term "administrative position" in reference to a support position (like administrative assistant aka secretary in a hospital office), not a manager or something like that. I also think the OP knows that a US is not in direct patient care, based on the wording of the post.

And that is the question for her/him: Will a lower paying job than she has now and that is not in direct patient care be worth it to increase her chances of getting an RN position when school is done? Or is it better to keep her current, higher paying job that isn't even in the industry and take her chances later?

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2012

where do you live? in PA i made 12/hr as a PCA/unit clerk.

pinknblue82 · Nov 5, 2012

I'd consider taking a slightly lower paying job in a hospital during school IF: you want to work in that facility after graduation, you can get a flexible schedule that is conducive to studying and getting good grades, you won't get overly stressed doing a new job and school at the same time, it's a position you really like and could continue doing if nursing school went south, and you can really afford to lose that little bit of income until you finish school. The job market is tough and I think the consensus is getting your foot in the door is beneficial, but if you have a sweet gig already that could get you by until you finish school and land an actual RN job, I'd be hesitant to quit. I got what I thought was a great job as a medical asst for a dermatologist... But long story short it didn't meet the above criteria and was actually a waste of my time and theirs. The restaurant I had been with actually paid more and was more understanding of my educational needs and I'm sure gave me a much better reference than the derm. Just my 2 cents. In my experience lower level healthcare jobs aren't always all they're cracked up to be.

ukjenn231 · Nov 6, 2012

Have you considered getting a PRN CNA job and just picking up extra hours? Some PRN jobs have requirements as little as 16 hours a month or every 6 weeks. Maybe you could pick up an 8 hr shift on the weekend every now and then.

In my opinoin it would be good to get a job in any capacity in a hospital you want to work at. It's all who you know a lot of time, and if you can meet people in a facility you will be a step ahead.

Also, have you really looked at the rates for CNA? In Kentucky, I made $12 as a CNA several years ago before I was a nurse. In Florida, I know patient care techs can make up to $14.

Jmiami · Nov 7, 2012

Wow, MoopleRN. Someone's cheerios got ****** in this morning. No need to be a giant turd, especially when you obviously did not understand what I wrote.

First, yes, I am seriously qualified for an "admin slot" (meaning administrative, clerical work). Perhaps you thought I was talking about a higher position in hospital administration, which obviously requires a lot of experience. I have done administrative work for over 6 years. Do not assume you know my abilities based on the fact that I currently work in the hospitality industry. I'm sure you don't appreciate people assuming that you are a submissive pillow fluffer based on the mere fact that you happen to be a nurse.

Second, yes, I do "really" think that a unit secretary position would be more "lucky" than a position in the office environment. It is on the floor. I would get to observe nurses in action daily and have access to a wealth of knowledge and experience. That is my opinion.

Third, crucify me for not having a clear understanding of the pecking order of health care. Exactly why I would like to begin working in the field in any capacity.

Fourth, no where in my post did I say that unit secretaries have more access to direct patient care than a CNA.

Oh yeah, I forgot.... I should add in some "?!?!" to my reply. You seem to like those.

I may be new to this healthcare field, but that doesn't mean that I will let burnouts bully me around displacing their agression about whatever may be bothering them in their work or personal life. Maybe you don't like my opinion or the fact that I am a "newbie" trying to learn something here on this board. Maybe it just makes you feel better to anonymously put someone down so you can sit a little taller in your computer chair. Whatever the reason, it was uncalled for as I am just here to learn from those who obviously know more and have more experience than I do.

Jmiami · Nov 7, 2012

thank you everyone for your insight. I do enjoy "paperwork" as much as I enjoy patient care, so that part would be fine with me. Especially good observations about sometimes lower level healthcare jobs not being all they're cracked up to be sometimes. I do realize this. In a perfect world... I would work in the industry no matter what the wage. In the real world, the wage I currently make barely puts food on the table. I'm not looking to get rich or go into this just for the money. If I was, I certainly wouldn't have chosen nursing. A job that is not worth it if you were only in it for the money. It is the age old "starry eyed student nurse" adage of the intrinsic rewards that nursing provides. However lame and overplayed, it is true for me. I will patiently wait and search for an appropriate opportunity. It is encouraging to see nurses who were able to get a position after graduation without having years doing this or that in healthcare.

Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2012

Little do you know you are getting a lot of valuable experience as a waitress. Seems like most patients think that's what the nurse is anyway .

But seriously it depends on the circumstances. I never worked in healthcare as a student, but my job paid much more and had no weekends which worked out nicely for school. I got a job easily, and I started the day after I passed the NCLEX. Depends on the job market in your area. It is probably worth applying and interviewing at least. Good luck!

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Nov 7, 2012

I really like the PCA per diem idea. If you could do even a couple of shifts here and there, it would give you invaluable experience. There are some Unit Clerk's who also do PCA work as well. The good part of a Unit Clerk position would be getting to know orders, the doctors, being in the charts--that is an education that can not be discounted. If you already have a BA and can do an accelerated program to your RN, that is a good choice as well. I would most definetely see what is available at the local hospitals. It will get your foot in the door. And people will know your name. You will have insight into some internal job opportunities. There's lots of pros to this. Another thought would be that if you are M-F as a unit clerk, you could do a every other weekend or one day a weekend as a server for a shift--a little extra cash--Good luck in your pursuits!!