Good idea to keep job in hospital while in RN school?

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN · Sep 23, 2012

YES!!!

BacktotheBeach, ADN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2012

I second that!! YES! The only people in my nursing class who had nursing jobs after graduation were those who already worked in hospital systems.

netglow, ASN, RN · Sep 23, 2012

The people with experience in my class had the toughest time finding jobs. But, if you can manage to pick up a job, do it. Once you have your RN license and are no longer considered just a student, you will find that you will not be considered for the "no experience necessary" type jobs. If you become, like the thousands of other new RNs who are taking 3+ years to find jobs now (doesn't mean you won't find a job much sooner), you will at least maybe be able to hold on to a hospital job a little while after you graduate. Some places will automatically fire you once you get your RN license tho, it varies by facility and state.

If you were to get a job where you did registrar work, or work as a tech for an MD who has offices within the hospital, that might be better if you can, that way you probably could keep the job for as long as you would be needing it for income while you look for an RN job. Different scenario - different rules. It all has to do with you getting a license and being held to the highest extent of practice under that license. You would cause the hospital legal gray area problems should they keep you on as a tech if you are an RN (this is the reason for firing).

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2012

The people with experience in my class had the toughest time finding jobs. But, if you can manage to pick up a job, do it. Once you have your RN license and are no longer considered just a student, you will find that you will not be considered for the "no experience necessary" type jobs. If you become, like the thousands of other new RNs who are taking 3+ years to find jobs now (doesn't mean you won't find a job much sooner), you will at least maybe be able to hold on to a hospital job a little while after you graduate. Some places will automatically fire you once you get your RN license tho, it varies by facility and state.
If you were to get a job where you did registrar work, or work as a tech for an MD who has offices within the hospital, that might be better if you can, that way you probably could keep the job for as long as you would be needing it for income while you look for an RN job. Different scenario - different rules. It all has to do with you getting a license and being held to the highest extent of practice under that license. You would cause the hospital legal gray area problems should they keep you on as a tech if you are an RN (this is the reason for firing).

That wasn't my class's experience. Working as a tech was definitely a plus for many in the job search. A lot of facilities like to promote from within, and I've seen several new grad RN programs that explicitly state that they prioritize applicants who have tech or externships at the facility. Not everyone who worked as a tech got hired by their employer as an RN but the folks with some form if healthcare experience found jobs more quickly than those of us who only had clinicals as experience.

If you can manage a few hours a week as a tech while in school, I would definitely make it a priority to do so.

netglow, ASN, RN · Sep 23, 2012

So then, here is what you need to do. Find out from the techs you meet at clinical if the hospital highly considers techs for RN jobs. In the olden days this was automatic. But as you see, it really depends on the facility. Ask around. If you ask administration they will always say sure of course we will consider you...blah blah. Never ask an instructor or a hospital administrator. Ask the minions for the truth.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2012

Even if you don't get hired where you work as a tech that experience will benefit your job hunt....plus it will give you additional experience in a patient care environment.

malamud69, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2012

At the hospital I work at almost every new nurse I have worked with was a tech/aide/pct either at the facility or another one...experience is a plus no matter what. Very few got a job w/o experience unless they had a "connection."

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2012

The best way to get a job in these parts is by working at the facility as a tech or aide. Most of those folks had jobs lined up when we graduated in 2010.

Leonardo Del Toro, RN · Sep 23, 2012

The answer to that is...YES

naptimeRN · Sep 24, 2012

It is a great idea to work in a hospital during RN school. All the hospital aides I graduated with this year got jobs within the hospital they worked. Also, they already were use to the hospital setting and such and had much better transitions. I 100% wish I would have been an aide during school

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 24, 2012

As long as it doesn't have too much of a negative impact on your grades, it's a great idea. It's healthcare experience, networking, and makes you an internal candidate for RN positions.

However getting hired as a RN where you worked as an aide/CNA is no longer the guarantee it used to be, so don't rely on that alone to land you a new grad job...it does boost your chances, but don't neglect the job search either.