hiring a student nurse?.......

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Hi, I am fairly new to these boards, I have seen in a couple of posts that there were people working as a student nurse, could you please tell me if this is true and what type of responsibilities do you have as a student nurse? And typically where you could be hired- dr. office, nursing home, hospital?... Just wondering . Thnaks -Jami

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Specializes in CICu, ICU, med-surg.

I'm in my second semester of nursing school and was recently hired as a nurse extern in the MSICU at a local hospital. Basically just a glorified tech, but its a great opportunity to see lots of procedures performed and interact with patients.

Check with your local hospitals and see if they have any opportunities available.

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At our clinical placement hospital, they have hired student nurses (in their final year of school) on a casual basis. They work 12 hour shifts (covering for people who are off sick, or if a nurse has to one-to-one a labouring mother or a ventilated patient, etc). They are typically assigned six patients on med/surg, eight patients on chronic. These are their patients and they are responsible for them every bit as much as an RN would be and are on their own but for these exceptions

- no IV meds (but can do IV therapy)

- no starting IVs

- no injectable meds (SC or IM)

- nothing whatsoever to do with PICC lines

If any of these are needed for the student's assigned patients, then one, two or three RNs take over these responsibilities only for the duration of the student's shift. Two of the nursing students who work as SN's have also been able to fly out many times as patient escorts.

I do not believe that these opportunities are available on a widespread basis however. These opportunities are available to us because we have done the duration of our clinical placements in nursing school at this hospital and the nurses and administration know us well.

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I also work in an MSICU and like twarlik am a glorified tech. I'm responsible for the tech work, but since the nurses know I'm a nursing student they pull me in if something interesting is happening. For instance last week they were doing an LP on a woman and I got to drop the supplies on the sterile field for the doc. (I know, it doesn't sound that thrilling, but I was excited :roll)

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I just finished my first semester of an ADN program and am currently working as a Nurse Apprentice in the ICU. I love my job and I am getting to see so many things that I would not have the chance to otherwise in school. We have done labs this semester over things that I've already gotten to see and do at work, which was nice. I get paid really well and the nurses are all terrific. They have enough time to answer all my questions and always explain what they are doing with a patient and why. Some will even quiz me as we are in a patient's room. I'm very glad I got this job...now, we will just have to see how this semester will go with me working 24 hours a week while going to school!!

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Specializes in Rehab, Step-down,Tele,Hospice.

I also work in CCU as a tech. I can't begin to tell you how much this helped me especially this semester since I"m in Med Surg 2. The nurses are all very helpful and take the time to explain any and all questions I have. I work night shift 9p-7a, so when I'm not busy they don't seem to mind if I do my homework, so it's all working out pretty well. I recommend it highly.

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All of you seem to like the idea of working while you're in school. Which I'n glad to see because that's what I plan on doing. I'm curious though, has anyone thought is was to much of a strain and decided not to work and go to school? Or is the general concensus that it's helpful and not to much if an overload?

Thanks, Brandon

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Originally posted by Soonstudent

All of you seem to like the idea of working while you're in school. Which I'n glad to see because that's what I plan on doing. I'm curious though, has anyone thought is was to much of a strain and decided not to work and go to school? Or is the general concensus that it's helpful and not to much if an overload?

Thanks, Brandon

That depends on a lot of things. How many hours will you be working per week? Will you be going to school time? Will your work require that you work the night shift? How much sleep will you be getting? Are you a really good student?

In other words, some students are able to thrive while doing both -- but others find that one thing or the other suffers. I would recommend starting slowly, adding more to your load as you find out what you can handle. It would be a shame to flunk out of school because you took on too much in the very beginning.

That's what I did with graduate school. I started out just working a few hours per week while attending school full time. Then, as I got comfortable with being back in school again, I increased my work hours.

llg

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Hospitals vary greatly in the types of employment they offer to nursing students. So, you will have to do your homework with the hospitals in your area.

Even within the same hospital, there may be a variety of options. At my hospital, for example ... we hire students who have had 2 semesters of clinical work for a nursing assistant role.

But we also have a separate "extern" role that pays a little less -- but requires less of a schedule committment and focuses more on educating the student. The externs are always buddied with an RN preceptor and the 2 people together take a 1-nurse assignment. The extern gets to "help" the RN give meds, work with central lines, etc. in ways that a nursing assistant cannot.

We consider our extern program primarily an educational program that better prepares the students for transition to the RN role after graduation.

llg

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Originally posted by Soonstudent

All of you seem to like the idea of working while you're in school. Which I'n glad to see because that's what I plan on doing. I'm curious though, has anyone thought is was to much of a strain and decided not to work and go to school? Or is the general concensus that it's helpful and not to much if an overload?

Thanks, Brandon

I had a job offer in my first year of the program at a local nursing home to work as a nurse technician, but turned it down because at the time I was carrying anywhere from 17-21 credits. Plus, I'm married and have two young children. Hubby and I agreed that working even part time would be too much of a strain.

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Specializes in ICU.

I have a question. What is the pay like? Is it a CNA salary of about $7.00-$9.00 an hour or what? I was just wondering because I really want to work in ICU as a student extern but I already work part-time. I am willing to quit this part-time job to work in the hospital but I make really good money right now and I still have bills to pay. ( I live alone with my daughter so there is no one else to pay bills during school) I don't think that its possible for me to do both being that I'm a single mom of a 2 yo. Just asking. I know the experience is the most important thing, but I was just wondering what to expect.

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Specializes in CICu, ICU, med-surg.
Originally posted by jemommy

I have a question. What is the pay like? Is it a CNA salary of about $7.00-$9.00 an hour or what?

I make $7.00/hour as a nurse extern, with a 10% differential for evenings and 20% for weekends and holidays. The pay sucks, but the experience is priceless. I work another part-time job that pays my bills.

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