I just got hired as an emergency department scribe. Doable with Nursing School?

[Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone!

As the title says, I have been hired to work in the emergency rooms of a few local hospitals. I will be working as a medical scribe and assisting the ED physicians with the EMR, documenting the entirety of the physician's interaction with each patient. Each shift is 10 hours and I may have to work overnight. My employer requires the scribes to work at least two shifts every week minimum.

My question is, anybody out there who has successfully worked a medical scribe job and also kept your head above water during nursing school? I just applied to (hopefully!!) start in August. I also realize this job is really more popular for pre-med students than nursing students, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to put this on my resume and get the hospital experience. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Doable? Well I guess you will be finding out soon. There is really no way anyone can say what YOU are capable of. When I was in school for my BSN some people worked and others did not. Do you have enough money not to work? I am not sure the position will have any bearing on getting hired as an RN, but who knows. You might develop connections and show that you are responsible and professional. I can tell you the most important things are being RELIABLE (get to work on time...don't call out sick) and be willing to work nights and weekends. If you do that (especially get to work on time) you are doing good.

[Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN]

Thank you for your input! You're right, really only I know what I can handle. Just don't quite know what to expect from nursing school besides the resources I've gathered here and from people I know. At this point, I am financially independent, so I have no choice but to work through school.

One of the hospitals I have been hired to work at as a medical scribe will be one I'm really hoping to eventually be hired at as an RN, so the networking could be really beneficial for me.

[johsonmichelle]

Working and going to school is definately doable. But I must say your work has to be somewhat flexible or problems may arise. For example there is a girl who is working full time in the hospital in my class but her work is very flexible. Our schedule changes drastically over the semester, so you need work that is flexible. I'm actually in the process same process myself only that I'm a third semseter student. If you have a cna or when you get a cna license, I highly reconemend student nurse position as they will work with your schedule.

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

This is exciting :) it sounds doable but as a previous poster says, it depends on the person. I'd say start with the minimum of two shifts a week and increase if you think you can handle another shift or two. Don't lose sight of your priorities

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

Sounds like a great job if you can swing that and school too! You will learn a lot of terminology to help you out even before NCLEX 😉

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

[Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN]

Absolutely, great for terminology as well, you're right! They require us to learn around 700 terms (ailments/diseases, names for lab tests, and drugs, including what those drugs are for) so I'm hoping that the required medical terminology for this job will give me just the slightest leg up for nursing school!

[mcary94]

Good luck! I have an interview for a ER scribe job on Thursday. I'm actually wondering the same thing, if it's a doable job while in nursing school.

[Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN]

Good luck! I have an interview for a ER scribe job on Thursday. I'm actually wondering the same thing, if it's a doable job while in nursing school.

Good luck in your interview! :)

[mcary94]

Thank you! Most definitely excited.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

I did the same thing, and yes it was doable. I had very flexible hours. And it's a great job because you get to see how doctors work. I found that very helpful later when I started working as a nurse.

[faithl7]

I did the same thing and yes it was doable. I had very flexible hours. And it's a great job because you get to see how doctors work. I found that very helpful later when I started working as a nurse.[/quote']

Do you feel you scribe experience helped you get an RN position as a new grad? I'm a RN/BSN student and will be scribe for these last two semesters of school .

thank you!