I accepted a med/surg PCT float position, but I'm really confused and stressed

[emily_daniels54]

Hello, I am new to this website so sorry if I am posting this in the wrong section! 

I'm a full-time nursing student and I only have two semesters left. I have no medical job experience and I'm afraid if I don't have any I will have slim chances of landing a nursing job in the future with just my BSN. So, I just accepted a job at a hospital as a "part-time med/surg PCT float" and I don't really know what this means for my schedule? Will I be on the med/surg unit and float when they need me to? Will I have a set schedule? Also, I'm terrified that if I follow through with this job, I won't have enough time for myself during the school year; I have 3 clinical rotations and 3 lectures this upcoming semester and this job requires I work three 8-hour shifts (3pm-11:30pm) every two week pay period (so 24 hours total within 2 weeks). Is that too much? I take my academics super seriously and I struggled mentally the last couple of semesters and I didn't even have a job then. So, I'm partially considering declining the job at this point and doing a simple desk job. Is it bad to not have any medical experience before applying to RN jobs? Is a PCT float a stressful job? Please help me out with any advice you got, I'm struggling. 

[travelnursefuture]

To be honest, it all depends on the specific hospital but from my experience, typically part time PCT = 3 shifts every two weeks (within the pay period) or seen as 1 shift one week and 2 shifts the next week. It could also be two shifts per week, really just depends on the floor/hospital's definition of part time. Ex: Full time is typically working 3 shifts a week or 6 shifts in a pay period(typically two weeks) where's part time would be 3-4 shifts per pay period.

 

Secondly, as a float PCT you would primarily do just that, float to different units as needed during your required/scheduled shifts. Of course you may find yourself primarily working on some floors more than others but you will pretty much float to whatever unit within the hospital that is needed , sometimes even to a sister/nearby hospital. With all that being said some ppl like floating because you learn something new every shift and you typically do not have time to get wrapped up into any gossip/drama on the floors but it can be stressful if you want to have a home unit where you learn/master most things and just show up and do your job (this is more advised if you want to study/have downtime). 

 

Based on what you have written it may be a conflict of time and mental wellness. My suggestion/advice would be to request moving to PRN (as needed) which is usually working 1-3 shifts every 5-6 weeks. Depends on the hospital. Or if you can, prioritizing school (quitting) because academia does come first and with the growing nurse shortage you will have no issue finding a job with no clinical experience. Of course if you are looking for a speciality to work in straight out with no experience it may be harder if that unit is more sought after but everything in life is attainable/ possible with enough dedication/consistency. Only you truly know you limits so you have to do what works for you. Hope this helps!