Intro and jobs during nursing school

Hi!

My name is Tracy. Currently I am attending the local CC majoring in Office Technology. I tend to pursue things that are easy for me and I know that I will succeed in. I never take chances. I have been working in an office environment since I have been 16 (I am now 31) and while taking these classes it has made me realize that I do not want to do this for another 30 plus years. It is so boring. So I have decided to turn to nursing. I have always thought about this but have been chicken - what if I fail??? But I do not want to always say what if? I looked into doing a change of area at school and I have most of my pre-req done except A&P 1 which I will take in the Spring. The hard part is breaking the news to my family. I have been going to school off and on since 1991 ( I was going to another school and have about 7 classes until I get my bachelors) and I tend to give up on things so now that I am finally going to school again and doing well they think that I will finally finish something that I have started. But I cannot work in an office setting anymore. I view nursing as a positive career choice - I get to help others and it's exciting and an never ending learning experience. While I am attending nursing school I will however need to work full-time. I really want to get a job in a medical setting. I do not really have any experience in that area except being a patient so what type of job can I get that will give me some experience? I was thinking about working in a local hospital but as what??? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance - Tracy

[frann]

How about a ward clerk? with your office experience you could be a clerk. Weekend nights? Duties include answering phone, taking off doctors orders and entering them in computer. You'll learn a lot. hope this helps. good luck

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

I ran into the same problem this past summer. It was unbelievable the lack of response I got to my applications for open positions at the local hospitals this past summer. I type a gillion words a minute, have secretarial experience from a big name medical school working for professors of medicine, have retail experience so I can work well with the public and obviously have medical knowledge from previous experience and school but not one of my applications got a response.

I don't know if it was because I said I was a nursing student and they expected me to move on to something else. Or maybe it's because in the hospital I'm a jack of all trades and master of none. In one instance, a major private contributor to the hospital I was applying at dropped my name to the right people but nothing happened. It was so discouraging. Maybe it was for the best since I'm now in my last semester of prereqs and don't yet know how a job will fit into student nursing.

Good luck to you on your search.

Kathy

[KristinWW]

Originally posted by RNKittyKat

I ran into the same problem this past summer. It was unbelievable the lack of response I got to my applications for open positions at the local hospitals this past summer. I type a gillion words a minute, have secretarial experience from a big name medical school working for professors of medicine, have retail experience so I can work well with the public and obviously have medical knowledge from previous experience and school but not one of my applications got a response.

I don't know if it was because I said I was a nursing student and they expected me to move on to something else. Or maybe it's because in the hospital I'm a jack of all trades and master of none. In one instance, a major private contributor to the hospital I was applying at dropped my name to the right people but nothing happened. It was so discouraging. Maybe it was for the best since I'm now in my last semester of prereqs and don't yet know how a job will fit into student nursing.

Good luck to you on your search.

Kathy

Kathy, me too! I had the typing, medical exp, contacts - nothing! It was incredibly discouraging. Suddenly, three offers came at once. Guess timing really is everything :)

[LPN-n-2005]

Check with your local hospital about nurse tech or patient care technician jobs. I just got hired as one while in nursing school and loving it. I get to learn how to do wound dressings and draw blood and check blood sugars for diabetic patients. I currently work two 12 hour shifts on the weekends and have my weekdays free for school work. Also another piece of advice, find out the nurse recruiters for your local area hospitals and directly call them and tell them you are interested in student nursing positions. After I called the one at my hospital they had me hooked up in no time at all!!!!

[KristinWW]

Originally posted by LPN-n-2005

Check with your local hospital about nurse tech or patient care technician jobs. I just got hired as one while in nursing school and loving it. I get to learn how to do wound dressings and draw blood and check blood sugars for diabetic patients. I currently work two 12 hour shifts on the weekends and have my weekdays free for school work. Also another piece of advice, find out the nurse recruiters for your local area hospitals and directly call them and tell them you are interested in student nursing positions. After I called the one at my hospital they had me hooked up in no time at all!!!!

Good idea, but this only works if you are a semester or two into the program.

[Petite06]

Wow!I understand.We have similar backgrounds.While I'm married,I don't have children,but I know several that do.FYI..many complain of how hard it is despite working 16 hrs or less or not at all...you might want to seriously consider going in some debt for the bigger goal...I am.If you work f/t, your level of stress will be so tremendously high you won't know what to do with yourself (once you're in the program that is).I don't mean to scare you but its the reality.The time it will take you to complete your projects are substantial in some cases.

Check into resources at your school's women's center.Apply for scholarships, loans.Sometimes you can get housing assistance,or accepted to special programs that pay for EVERYTHING for only 1 hour per week for a meeting.If you do have to work because these other options didn't work...check off on your FAFSA form (financial aid) that you are interested in workstudy programs (you work off a certain number of hrs,keep the money and find more flexibility because of your school).Check into hospitals (you can apply for extern/pca positions in some hospitals after 1 clinicial semester in nursing school) or caregiver services (some don't require you be a CERTIFIED nursing aide) and in some cases it is like caring for a grandparent...nothing medical.It may take a bit of time if you don't have flexible hrs to get an assignment,but you have flexibility of when you work.

I have this written on some of my folders for encouragement..."Remember that most people don't give themselves the chance to find out!" It makes me realize that one day I HAVE to commit because I need to face challenges and because my life now affects others.

I wish you the best of luck!

[tonicareer]

I live in a rural small town with a huge unemployment rate that is steadily getting worse. The hospital jobs are few and far between (except for RN). The doctor's offices here tend to hire temps because they can pay them less. That being said I too wanted some practical experience and have had no luck. So far I have interviewed with the school system about a postion with a special ed. student who is severely disabled. I would have been required to obtain a chauffer license, have a cell-phone, have special car insurance, obtain Liability Insurance- the student is in braces, and would need me to catherize her (which I have no training in) and no mention of gloves being provided for this. I did not take the job because the pay was so low it wouldn't pay after all the extras I would be expected to provide. Job interview two was for an agency for disabled adults, again I would need a van to transport, special license and would have to transport clients within an 200 mile radius. Pay was less than 7 dollars and hour and I would be responsible for all expenses. Again no money in that. Job three working as a psych tech - again a cell phone and transport clients (that might be violent) in my car and special insurance and such. Pay less than 8 an hour. Must be oncall 24/7. So I haven't found anything medically related to help in my training either.

[FutureRNMichael]

There is always the idea of working in an Assisted Living facility. No experience is needed usually nor do you need any type of certification.

It is considered healthcare experience, I do believe.

You would get the chance to watch the RN's do dressings and some other small things. In my case, I gained a experienced RN's biggest support,advice and Refrence. Nothing exciting but you do learn a about yourself in that enviorment and you learn basic caring skills with the elderly(A population your most likely will work with in most settings).

[tonicareer]

Personally I have applied for entry level jobs at nursing homes and assisted living. All do require training though they don't just hire people and train them. I only have a few classes so far mostly in office procedures and billing and have had no luck in finding a job in the medical area. I have done volunteer work but cannot do that anymore because I have to support myself and pay for my education. But I agree if you can get a job in assisted living it would be great experience. Unfortunatly with a high unemployment rate many employers can choose not to hire students because they need special schedules while going to school. They can hire people who can work any and all hours instead.