Getting Nervous Now

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Specializes in PCT, RN.

I start school in 5 weeks, which is great, and I'm really not too nervous about that (I'm more excited than anything).

I'm concerned about work for the most part. Right now I work M-F 8-4 and I definitely cannot keep these hours when school starts and I'm afraid my current boss won't be as flexible with my hours as I'd need (I'll find out how flexible they will be once I get my class schedule).

I applied to around 30 different PCT/PCA/CNA positions at two nearby hospitals over the course of the past month and a half. I had one interview two and a half weeks ago and I called last Friday to check on any updates but did not receive a call back from HR (but the position still shows as open on their website). I have been rejected from around 5 or 6 applied positions (I assume this is most likely d/t no hospital experience since my 3 years of experience were in LTC).

I'd like to get settled into a new job prior to beginning school and I'm getting nervous that I'm getting down to the wire with timing. I have no previous bartending or serving experience (and frankly, I'd rather not work in the food industry anyways if I can avoid it).

For those of you who had to work during school, what did you do? Asking for ideas I can look into in the meantime.

(Side note, not intentionally being rude: no, I am not able to not work while in school; this isn't an option, please don't suggest it).

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Specializes in ICU.

Are there any other LTC facilities that you could work at PRN or nox? I worked as a rehab tech for a group home for women with disabilities- ended up being a wonderful experience. Several of the clients had PEG tubes- great experience for passing medications, or another had a VNS (vagal nerve stimulator) and had seizures daily, so I got pretty familiar with various seizures and protocol for PRN medications. Even had a patient who was blind who used sonar (by clicking her tongue) to figure out where she was in the house. Pretty awesome! And it was fairly low key once I got to know the clients and routines.

Other than that, I would recommend going to introduce yourself to the manager of an acute care facility, demonstrating that you are an investment as you would want to continue working at the hospital as an RN (if you want to do that) and that you have experience already. To get a hospital CNA job, I worked in Environmental Services for a bit to get to know the nurses and the unit while working on CNA certification- however, I'm guessing this route is more roundabout for you right now.

Keep applying and getting yourself out there. Being in LTC for 3 years is great experience prior to being in the hospital!

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Specializes in PCT, RN.
Are there any other LTC facilities that you could work at PRN or nox?

To be truthful, returning to LTC for work would probably be the death of me. My last facility completely and utterly broke my spirit for that area. I did one year of 7p-7a, the only aide for 26 residents (many were 2-assists, several Hoyer and sit-to-stand lifts, several were high fall risk, many should have been in the dementia unit but they were at capacity) and even after 2 prior years of experience, I was making less than $10 an hour. I eventually switched to PRN, but realized even on other shifts it wasn't much better. I actually completely left the healthcare job market after the experience I had at that last place. I know there are worse places and I know not all are that bad, but the prospect of being thrown into another situation like that nearly drives me to drink.

I worked as a rehab tech for a group home for women with disabilities

Is rehab tech something you're required to be certified for or with a CNA license/being a student nurse suffice (in your experience)?

Other than that, I would recommend going to introduce yourself to the manager of an acute care facility, demonstrating that you are an investment as you would want to continue working at the hospital as an RN (if you want to do that) and that you have experience already.

That's a pretty great idea actually. One of the hospitals I applied to I am actually friends with 4 or 5 nurses employed there so maybe I can see if one of them would be able to introduce me to a supervisor on their unit or something. I did send them all messages letting them know where I applied and which units to see if they would be of any help so maybe that'll be a good route to take.

Also, thank you for your suggestions!

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Specializes in ICU.

Are you looking at night positions? I only ask because the people who worked in my program as a PCT worked overnights. I know the school you are attending. I attend the same one but in a different region and your schedule will be kind of wonky. Like, my first Monday class is in the afternoon this upcoming semester. You won't start clinical until the second 8 weeks of the semester. And it will be one day. Same with second semester, one day. We generally had a day or two off during the week. So the people would be in class one day, work the night where there was no class the next day. I hope that makes sense. The individual instructors also can decide if they want to do pharm the first or second semester. We did ours the second as much of the material overlapped with medsurg II. I know most campuses do it the first though. I would also talk to your classmates and get a feel for what they are doing. Maybe if you can become buddies with someone who has an in, they can help you get in. One girl was always telling us to apply at her hospital if we needed a job, that she could get us in. Sometimes our instructors who also worked at local hospitals could help. One of my instructors told us they needed scribes at a hospital. They were looking for around fifteen and they wanted nursing students. So maybe look at being a scribe too.

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Specializes in ICU.

No problem! No certification for the rehab tech job was required. It was basically CNA work but no CNA required but I was paid more once I had it.

I think it's a great idea to reach out to nurses that you know and see if they can introduce you to a manager. Don't forget to bring a copy of your resume when you do meet them and perfect that "elevator speech" to demonstrate that you'd be a valuable asset.

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Specializes in PCT, RN.
Are you looking at night positions?

Yep! I've applied to all of them. Days, evenings, nights, rotating, PRN.

I would also talk to your classmates and get a feel for what they are doing.

Unfortunately I only know a handful of people from my campus at the moment and I'm kind of hoping to get in somewhere before I start.

Maybe if you can become buddies with someone who has an in, they can help you get in. One girl was always telling us to apply at her hospital if we needed a job, that she could get us in.

I have a few friends who work at one of the hospitals but the one unit doesn't have a manager yet because the previous one took a new position and the hospital hasn't hired the new one on yet and none of the units my friends work on have openings. So all of the positions I applied to are on units that I don't know anyone!

So maybe look at being a scribe too.

Is that something you have to be certified for? I don't recall seeing any openings for this, but I also haven't been looking.

As far as my schedule goes, I have a pretty good idea. I should have fundamentals M & W from 12-2:45 (really, this scheduling sucks because I could totally keep my office job for another semester if this wasn't RIGHT in the middle of the day). This is for the first 8 weeks.

2nd 8 weeks is Med-Surg 12-2:45.

I also have Pharmacology on W from 8-10:45.

Lab is either T or R (they haven't decided yet) from 8-2:45

Clinical will either be on the other T or R (whichever Lab isn't on) and hours depend on the location and this begins in October.

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