I need ADVICE!

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Nov 30, 2008

Get the job, go for it. Many facilities will help you go to school. Good luck.

PurrRN · Nov 30, 2008

Try getting a job as a PCA with a hospital in your area. Provides useful experience, money, and you can usually work your schedule around classes. I wish I'd done that prior to graduation as it would have been

very useful.

LatinDolphin · Nov 30, 2008

I don't mean to sound naive but how would I take the step to do so?

LatinDolphin · Nov 30, 2008

Try getting a job as a PCA with a hospital in your area. Provides useful experience, money, and you can usually work your schedule around classes. I wish I'd done that prior to graduation as it would have been
very useful.

I have not started Nursing school at all...just have some college courses...Can I still apply to become a PCA? I am single and live alone...rent and bills...will a job as a PCA help me survive financially?

Thanks guys!!

PurrRN · Nov 30, 2008

Get a list of hospitals you can comfortably commute to and from with your school schedule in mind. Most/Many hospitals have web sites that post openings for doctors/nurses/assistive personnel. Contact the HR from each hospital and inquire to what requirements you need to be hired. Some hospitals just require HS diploma and they train, some require a CNA course (depends on your area of the country). Usually the fact you are in or about to start NS school will be a plus.

Pay scale will vary widely depending on economics of your general area. When I was in NC in 04/05 CNA's were offered $6-8/hr.

Here in mid MO the hospital I work for offers 9.50 to start. You won't get rich but the experience will be invaluable.

Pediatric4077 · Nov 30, 2008

Get a job as a nurse tech, that schedule will work much better with nursing school. You can go to school on the weekends (if your school has a weekend program) or work the weekends (and got to school during the week). The pay isn't fantastic, but if you shop around a little bit it's doable. Get a loan if you need it to help with any extra expenses. Get out of the slow moving matrix!! Good luck to you!

CNA's or Nurse Techs where I live earn 11-17 dollars an hour.

Katnip, RN · Nov 30, 2008

I'd start by looking for a job where you have regular hours. A lot of hospitals require that their PCA/techs have a CNA first, so you'd need to take classes for that anyway-usually only a few weeks or so.

You can also look at salary.com for ideas of what PCAs pay in your area, but be aware that the website often has inflated salaries for some jobs.

Once you start school, you'll need a job that's flexible enough to either change your work schedule each semester because some classes are just going to be on different days than your old one, or find a school that guarantees the same schedule each semester. Again, this is where a PCA job comes in handy. Most hospitals and other facilities are pretty flexible.

To find out what's required in your area, start by calling human resources at local hospitals, nursing homes, and rehab centers. Psych hospitals also hire techs and they aren't always required to be CNAs first. You can check the websites also, but they aren't always up to date, and they can't tell you how to go about getting that CNA. Some nursing homes will offer the course for free.

Good luck to you in your quest.

Kat

SharonH, RN · Nov 30, 2008

Im a 33 yr old male, single and have some college credits. I just have a few science classes to take before starting a Nursing program. Would like to start off as an LPN and gradually work into becoming a RN...so that I can work at a hospital and go to school. It's been a slow motion Matrix like situation for me being that I have worked at different call center jobs and they are very strict and change the work schedule constantly so I have tried talking to supervisors about my going to school to no avail. The point is I have not been able to finish school being that I need to pay rent and bills {like everyone else}. Can someone please give me some advice on some skillful moves to make?? I would like to finish school and of course ework but Jesus take the wheel!!
Thanks!
-Angel

Okay, look into this: Places like Kaiser Permanente and Wellpoint have call centers that employ non-licensed workers such as yourself. I believe they are 24/7 which means you have options for scheduling. They may also be more sympathetic to your quest to go for nursing. You don't say where you live but check if they have centers near you. Get a job there working weekends and nights and bonus: they will provide tuiion reimbursement for your nursing degree because you will be getting a degree in a field that will benefit them.

LatinDolphin · Nov 30, 2008

Wow!! Thanks everyone for your great advice responses. :wink2: I will definitely look into some of these resources!

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2008

I'll be honest. I worked while I was in school as a PCT, but it was very trying. I also had to take out about 20 grand in student loans to help pay living expenses. As a single male, trying to live my life and survive, it was tough some months. But the expierence I got shaped my philosophy about being a nurse....

NOBODY is above helping a patient. If you're going to be a nurse who is too good for tech work....then don't expect the techs to help.

It is doable...but only if you want it bad enough.

LatinDolphin · Dec 1, 2008

I'll be honest. I worked while I was in school as a PCT, but it was very trying. I also had to take out about 20 grand in student loans to help pay living expenses. As a single male, trying to live my life and survive, it was tough some months. But the expierence I got shaped my philosophy about being a nurse....
NOBODY is above helping a patient. If you're going to be a nurse who is too good for tech work....then don't expect the techs to help.
It is doable...but only if you want it bad enough.

Thanks Loco!