Anyone working as a nurse tech/student nurse?

janleb · Dec 16, 2001

I was hired on as a nursing tech for a local city hospital. I make about 14/hr working thirds on the weekend. Plus I get paid that much because I didn't have health insurance ect. To be hired without be a licenced cna you have to be a nursing student within one yr of graduation. More or less they are recruiting rns. I live in Ohio. Mainly just personal care ect. It depends on the RN and their trust in you. For example, the RN will watch me do a dressing change and if satisfactory will let me do dressing changes after you assesses the wound. DC ng tubes, IV's, suctioning, Glucose checks, ect. I have learned allot being a tech. The RN's I work with are terrific. I try to make their job easier, I assess pt and report to RN, so it keeps me on top of my assessment skills. ( I just don't chart). This will benefit me greatly when I become an RN, in how to handle a pt load greater than one or two pt. I find my job to be very rewarding.

craff1 · Dec 16, 2001

Thanks for taking the time to answer. Your wages are higher than I thought they would be. I'm still looking for ways to make money during nursing school. Sounds like the experience would really be a plus. I'm still looking into teaching home-schooled kids for the school district as well.

Thanks again,

Cheryl

angelaADSN · Dec 16, 2001

Hi Cheryl! I was a nurse tech last year after I completed my first year of nursing school. I worked in a small hospital, so I made 6.68 hr. Which really stinks compared to the 15/hr. Memphis, which is an hour away from me pays their nurse tech's 14/hr. At the hospital I worked at, it was basic CNA care, with just a little more. Things like accu checks, foleys, dsg changes. I graduated this past may and work in surgery/recovery now. I think working as a tech did benifit me in nursing school that last year. I knew what to expect a little more, and was more comfortable. It also helped me with my skills. When I would learn something at school, for example NG tubes, I would go to the hospital and beg the Rn to let me take one out or put it in. Good luck to you!

Angela

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2002

I am currently employed as a Patient Care Tech. I make 9.39 per hour. I also get shift premiums,as I work 3rd shift. I love the job. The money is alot better than i made as a housekeeper. I am praying that I can start nuring school this september. Good Luck!

KITTYLADY · Jan 7, 2002

lessee.... worked 18 months as a 911 ambulance dispatcher -- that's because i was a emt in the usaf for 8 years... now i'm about to graduate (adn) in may - and i've recently lined up a icu technician job which will supposedly evolve into a rn job when i pass the big test... critical care is what i want-- and it looks like (hopefully) this is what i've got!! i will work as little prn as possible until graduation... as for $ - join the usaf for 4 years (if you're young enough) and you will get the gi-bill which = $672.00 month x 3 years after you get out in 4 years - notto mention the 75% tuition assistance while in!!!

craff1 · Jan 10, 2002

looked into the AF but they wanted bsn's, and besides, won't take me because i'm on medication. (and I'm too old for active duty). :confused: oh well, I'll keep looking!

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jan 11, 2002

Hey all,

Well, I'm also interested in the Nurse Tech positions. In Seattle here, Harborview (Level 1 Trauma) offers these positions for about $14/h and the next orientation is in March. Well, I kinda need a job before then so I am applying as a CNA to another hospital.

Anyone know if any of the other Seattle hospitals employ nurse techs? I know Evergreen doesn't.

Z

KristaB · Jan 13, 2002

Zach,

Evergreen hires Unit Techs. You might want to look into that. :)

Krista

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jan 13, 2002

Krista,

Wow I didn't know that about Evergreen. In fact I distinctly remember reading something about them not hiring techs, maybe that was another hospitals. LOL Who knows, I've been contacting a lot of hospitals. Anyway, thanks so much for the info and I will look into it!

Z