I have no medical experience except my BSN, will I still get a RN job?

Pednurse21, BSN · Jun 17, 2021

I know of at least a few girls from my cohort who never had medical experience and still got a job after graduating with a BSN and I’m sure there are many more. If you are hoping for a specialty RN job (ER, ICU, L&D, etc.), you will have more luck landing one of those if you get a PCT job in that area or at least have some experience but even then I know of one girl who had no medical experience except her BSN and got an ICU step down unit so it’s possible. Plus you can make good contacts in clinicals in one those areas as well. I know school is hard. I had a 8hr/week PCT job during school and it was hard but I also know of girls who worked full time and did full time school. Mental health is also super important. So I get where you are coming from. It could be worth it to try to work the job and do your best in school and if it is killing you or your grades then just talk with your manager. They were in nursing school at one point too so it’s pretty likely they will understand and maybe could cut your hours down even more to accommodate you especially if they have gotten to know you throughout the Summer. I will say that while school is important, I can definitely attest to the fact that I know way more because of my time as a PCT. straight As are not always the most important if you are stressing about that. Now passing is, so if working might stop you from passing then definitely worth cutting back on hours or quitting if you have to. Also if you do take the job, remember that you are basically interviewing every time you work. They are watching and will take how you work into account if you apply for an RN job for their floor so do your best. That’s not to stress you out just to encourage you that when you are at work try to be present and work hard. Lastly, med surg PCT float means you most likely will float between all of the medsurg floors which is great because you can get an idea of things you like and don’t like and you can network with many different unit managers. Floor PCT mostly take vitals and do blood sugars, stock, feed patients, change linens, etc so it can be stressful, not in the tasks you do but the amount of tasks but if you just take it one task at a time, put the needs of the patient first and prioritize it doesn’t have to be super stressful and will help you work on time management skills and people skills you will need as a nurse. Personally I would take the job especially if you have the Summer off. Work this Summer, do your best. Try to continue working when school starts. Try to adjust your studying so you learn but can keep your job too. But if it is affecting your mental health or your ability to pass classes then talk calmly and professionally with your manager and see if you can work less hours and if not then professionally explain that you cannot handle the work load at this time on top of school but you hope to be apart of the team in the future.

Emergent, RN · Jun 18, 2021

You are not going to have any time for yourself at this point in your life. I think it's smart that you got a job in the medical field. That is what I did after my first semester of nursing school. I got a job as a nurse's aide in a hospital because I was totally uninitiated. I actually had another gig selling artwork and doing furniture finishing that paid more, but I desperately needed to have experience in patient care.