Hi student nurse tech question

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2006

Good luck to you.

Being a nurse tech is not about the money, although I know that you need to pay bills. But it's more about getting the experience of working with patients and seeing how the real world is. Also, it helps you to line up a job before you graduate. I did it and loved it. I won't tell you what i made because you'll laugh, it as a good while ago in the South.

It's probably going to vary from place to place, depending on the part of the country you're in. Hopefully, someone will come along and answer. Good luck!

StudentNurseSteph, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2006

Well I worked this summer and still do occasionally.. I'd say it was the best thing ever. I loved getting the hospital atmosphere, and like you i also worked as a tray passer so i knew what it was like in the hospital but as a student nurse tech you get more of a feeling of how nurses operate the floor. I started at $14 an hr but its more if its nights, weekends, or evenings. However I know around here that pay is high for a student nurse so it might be lower where you are.

BeccaznRN, RN · Oct 25, 2006

I am a senior at UMSL (graduating in December) and I have also worked as a student nurse tech at Barnes-Jewish for about a year. The hospitals in St. Louis are a little reluctant to hire student nurses before they start clinicals. At BJH, you can get a PCT position without clinical experience, but you must attend their training session (about 5 weeks). A SNT position will require one semester's worth of clinical experience and you will not have to attend training. Other hospitals in the area will be similar - you will have to have training that lasts from 4-6 weeks, and that training is usually only offered during weekdays. It can be a problem if you are in class during the day.

If I were you, I'd just hang with the server position until you have a semester of clinical experience. It's fairly easy to get a SNT position at BJH, you won't have to go through training, and the pay is more. I made about $10 an hour (not counting differentials), and it's GREAT experience! You get to draw blood, start IVs, foleys, the whole bit at BJH.

cla9pd · Oct 25, 2006

Thanks for the good luck. I really want to get into a hospital setting, but I am afraid. I would love to be there, and I have since I was younger. I just have trouble makeing the bills as it is. I wanted to ask on here just to get an ideal. What duties are involved with nurse tech, and is it similar to cna work?

cla9pd · Oct 25, 2006

Thank you so much for the input. That's what I am trying to figure out, if I should stay a server or go for the position. Umsl had a post for missouri babtist. I know it would be great experience, but I still have to pay bills. lol. That helped alot though. Thanks

BeccaznRN, RN · Oct 25, 2006

Thank you so much for the input. That's what I am trying to figure out, if I should stay a server or go for the position. Umsl had a post for missouri babtist. I know it would be great experience, but I still have to pay bills. lol. That helped alot though. Thanks

Yes, I'm not really sure what MoBap's policy is regarding training. I can only speculate that it's similar to BJH, since they are both within the BJC system. Call the recruiter there - they will give you information on starting salaries for techs and their specific requirements.

By the way, welcome to allnurses! Check out the Missouri nurses forum as well......there are threads there regarding the St. Louis hospitals (and a few on UMSL also).