How many of you worked while in school?

I am considering a position as a student nurse on the cardiac unit of a local hospital. Basically, I would be doing this just for the expereince, not the money. I am in my 3rd semester of RN school and will graduate in May.

For those of you that have worked in the clinical setting while in school, did you find it beneficial or not?

Thanks for the input.

I am so looking forward to the same thing for both financial and experience reasons. I have many friends who have been successful doing both. Good luck.

I work right now while I am going to school. I graduate from LPN school in january and have been working for a few months. I love working (even though it is really hard work), I have learned so much working, then I ever do in clinicals. The nurses on the floor I work (cardiac surgical unit) are so wonderful and love to teach me about different things and let me watch or participate in interesting things that come along. So, for me, it is beneficial! Plus, it is always nice to have the extra money.

Butterfli

I graduated from school in December, but I did work in a hospital setting while I was going to school. The summer after my third semester I got a job as a student nurse and got to work right along with the nurses and do everything that they normally do except pass meds. The program ended at the end of the summer, but I stayed on and worked as an aide. Those experiences helped me considerably! I felt more confident in clinicals and everything really started to come together. I combined my work experience with school and it really helped me a lot. I encourage anyone to work in a hospital setting while in school, at least then you sort of have an idea of what you're getting in to. Then not everything is such a shock and overwhelming when you have to do it in the clinical setting. I hope this has helped you. Good luck!

I am pleased to read the different responses regarding working while in school. I am glad to read positives about working while in nursing school, because I had the impression that we cannot work AT ALL during school because we have to eat, breath, and live nursing school- I was worried on how I can make it financially without working at all if I just went to school. but, I did apply for the hospital and landed myself an interview. The gal liked me, and I am anticipating a call back from her before the week is over...I could tell she was interested because she quoted my salary based on the experience I had with my past employer. I think working will be a challenge, but will discipline me to study hard and focus on my present goal.

After reading the threads, I felt more confident in working part-time while in nursing school. I know it can be done, but I didn't know if I can do it-

Thanks. Nursenette:Melody:

I worked full time while going to school nights with clinicals on the weekends.

Its tough to do. I use to study during breaks at work. You can do it.:)

I had the fortunate experience to go to a nursing school that allowed and even encouraged the students to , after the 1st year, apply to graduate with their vocational certificate in practical nursing, while going on to achieve their RN degree. This allowed us the practice while continuing with school. I took advantage of this opportunity and am very thankful for it. I t allowed me to continue to make a living while learning on the job.

I found that the experience I achieved made me a better RN at the end, because I was exposed to many things while working as a LPN . I was still scared at my first job as a RN , but I was competent and confident as well.

The opportunity to work in a nursing role while going to school is a great one. I hope you find your experience as gratifying as well.

Good luck !!!!

I worked as a nursing assistant/student nurse for 2.5 years in a hospital, while I was doing my BSN program. I worked per diem in the float pool so I got to choose my own hours (I did Sat and Sun 7 AM-3 PM) and I floated all over the hospital wherever I was needed & as a result got to see a lot & went to med/surg units, CCU, ICU, ER, tele units, orthopedics, oncology, etc. It was a fantastic experience & I felt so comfortable with patients during my clinicals & also now as a new RN. I recommend it-esp. working per diem so you can arrange your work schedule around school and homework. Best of luck to you. :)

-Christine, RN

I am considering a position as a student nurse on the cardiac unit of a local hospital. Basically, I would be doing this just for the expereince, not the money. I am in my 3rd semester of RN school and will graduate in May.

For those of you that have worked in the clinical setting while in school, did you find it beneficial or not?

Thanks for the input.

I do not work right now but am thinking about getting a job as a CNA before graduation...........let me know it goes.

I am a full time student with a flexible schedule in work at the same time as a father of 2. this is my second career also known as almost midlife crisis:rotfl: . it hard but workable.

Nat

iwannabeanrn:

Good for you that you want to work and get some experience!

I highly recommend working while in nursing school, I did it for my last 3 semesters and dont regret a second of it.

I do recommend working PRN though, as you can choose your hours, and this way you arent scheduled to work 3-11 the night before a big test.

I learned so much working while in nursing school, and I think it helped me to become a better nurse. They cant really teach time management in school with one patient, but as an aide, where there are 15 patients for you to do vitals on, you learn time management quickly. Its also a chance for you to practice your nursing skills: heart sounds, breath sounds, etc.

I always did my 'assessment' on each patient when i did vitals, then the nurse would do theirs when they went in.

I wish you the best of luck in this, and as an added bonus, working at a facility gets your foot in the door if you decide to work there after graduation.

-Meghan

I worked Full time in school. I think it was one of the reasons I passed boards so easily. I definitely had an easier time in clinicals as well. In addition, I was offered a job at the hospital I was working at well before graduation.

Since I had to work full time, for insurance, I found that I basically learned to do well in school, and study ahead of time, so even if I did work 3-11 before a big test, I was already prepared for the test and did not need to study that evening, and working kept my mind off the exam.

It's a great way to get experience, if you have the time and ability to do it, it looks great.

I just interviewed about 6 weeks ago for this travel position, I casually mentioned that I had worked as an Aide and the NM said immediately to me, "Oh, nurses who were aides always make the best nurses" Now, I think that any nurse can be a great nurse, but many NM's like someone with some floor experience, so go for it!!!

I plan on staring in the hospital in January. (after my first semester)

Is there a difference between a PCT/CNA and a student nurse?? I never see any job openings for student nurses. But most of the hospitals hire students after fundamentals as CNA's??

Thanks!!