Job advice while in nursing school!!!

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  1. Which job?

    • 2
      Option 1 current Hospice Job
    • 16
      Option 2 flexible agency

18 members have participated

I start nursing school on January 28th and have a decision to make, I can't decide which one, they both have their plus's and minuses. My husband pretty much tells me to do whatever I want.

I HAVE to work part time, and would like to anyways, so that I can keep my CNA experience.

SO currently I work for a hospice agency FT. This is my FIRST OPTION... Stay here on the weekends (BTW my nursing program is M-TH) and be the on-call CNA - I would be the ONLY on call CNA and they expect me to RARELY call out (Ive only called out once in the last 2 years with this company), and I would also have a full patient load on both weekend days as well, so I would be busy every weekend. PLUS side is, I think its good to have a stable job on my resume that Ive been with for years...Ive already been here 2 years...and also Ive been told if I stay, I already have a job as an RN there when I pass my NCLEX immediately (well if I pass nursing school too of course!)

OPTION 2... go back to an agency I used to work for (but as a home PCA years ago). This time I would work for them as CNA and be staffed around the hospitals. They are super flexible, I tell them when I want to work. Lets say I have lots of exams and am stressed - this agency has NO problem with me saying "I dont want any shifts this week". ALSO this agency pays a couple more dollars than my current job. I also wouldnt be driving like I do @ the hospice agency (I put 1100 miles on my car in the last 2 weeks!!! and also 2 weeks ago someone crashed into my car while I was driving from patient to patient...the driving is kinda getting old, lol!!)

Option 2 does kind of sound more appealing. But I also dont have that job offer right away. BUT I would also get all sorts of CNA experience in the hospital, which I dont have now. I would be floating around med surg, tele, ICU, etc. units... (ultimately I want to work in a hospital).

As of right now, my current job isnt even 100% sure they can let me cut down to part time because its corporates decision and our census is low. But I know they really dont want to lose me so they are trying everything they can to convince corporate to let me stay and to let me be the on-call person so the regular CNA's dont have to rotate weekends to work it... but I wont know Corporates decision until weeks before I have to start school. I did start the employment process with the agency though, and will work extra shifts there until school starts, and will make my decision a few weeks before I start school...

Also one last thing. If I leave the hospice agency, I might have to pay back $1000 tuition reimbursement if the corporate office catches onto that (technically I am supposed to stay a year after I get tuition reimbursement, or pay it back if I leave). I wouldnt be able to get tuition reimbursement anymore if I stay though, because you need to be FT to get it.

Decisions decisions!!!! PS thanks for reading all that and thanks for your opinion!!!

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiology.

Option 2... It's lots of work and you will feel stressed and need a breather occasionally!

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While option 1 says they will hire you as an RN after you graduate, if you don't ultimately want to work at a hospice then that's something to think about. If you took option 1, when would you have time to study? Your school is M-TH, yet you would be working both weekend days with a full patient load... sounds tiring... I don't know if I would have the energy to study after that. Having a long employment history with one company does look good, but it's not everything. Option 1 also sounds unsure that the will even be able to provide you with what they are saying about working on-call. If you want to ultimately work in a hospital, option 2 gives you the experience. Also, Flexible during school = relief. It would be a blessing to be able to take days off to study with no issues. Sounds great to me! Plus, floating around medsurg, tele, ICU, etc. sounds like excellent experience! I would take a chance and go with option 2.

Another thing to think about though.. can you afford to pay back the $1000 tuition reimbursement?

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While option 1 says they will hire you as an RN after you graduate, if you don't ultimately want to work at a hospice then that's something to think about. If you took option 1, when would you have time to study? Your school is M-TH, yet you would be working both weekend days with a full patient load... sounds tiring... I don't know if I would have the energy to study after that. Having a long employment history with one company does look good, but it's not everything. Option 1 also sounds unsure that the will even be able to provide you with what they are saying about working on-call. If you want to ultimately work in a hospital, option 2 gives you the experience. Also, Flexible during school = relief. It would be a blessing to be able to take days off to study with no issues. Sounds great to me! Plus, floating around medsurg, tele, ICU, etc. sounds like excellent experience! I would take a chance and go with option 2.

Another thing to think about though.. can you afford to pay back the $1000 tuition reimbursement?

Well we are really tight on money, so it would suck to have to pay it back. But I feel like it might be a small price to pay for a better work solution for the next two years. School comes first and I want to do the best I can.

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I like option 1.

For several reasons:

1. Longevity with a company

Thoughts: This is becoming a rarity these days across all industries. Plus, if you decide you want to make a big purchase after

nursing school such as a car or house, you would have an easier time than most graduates since you will have about

4 years of job history.

2. Familiarity with job duties and expectations

Thoughts: You won't have to learn new duties and/or new co-workers and personalities and vice versa AND learn new things with

nursing school. A good part of your first semester is learning the rationale's behind things you are already doing as a CNA

3. Tuition Reimbursement

Thoughts: I'm partial to this because I am looking for a scholarship myself and this would be a VERY helpful option to have.

Plus I'm with Shorty 11, can you afford to pay the reimbursement back????

Decisions Decisions

I am looking forward to finding out which choice you make!!! :up:

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I like option 1.

For several reasons:

1. Longevity with a company

Thoughts: This is becoming a rarity these days across all industries. Plus, if you decide you want to make a big purchase after

nursing school such as a car or house, you would have an easier time than most graduates since you will have about

4 years of job history.

2. Familiarity with job duties and expectations

Thoughts: You won't have to learn new duties and/or new co-workers and personalities and vice versa AND learn new things with

nursing school. A good part of your first semester is learning the rationale's behind things you are already doing as a CNA

3. Tuition Reimbursement

Thoughts: I'm partial to this because I am looking for a scholarship myself and this would be a VERY helpful option to have.

Plus I'm with Shorty 11, can you afford to pay the reimbursement back????

Decisions Decisions

I am looking forward to finding out which choice you make!!! :up:

I do agree with you too, that's why I'm having a hard time choosing... I like the idea of a very stable work history and not a lot of different stuff on my résumé.

It is kind of giving me anxiety too thinking about leaving a company I've been with for two years because I'm so used to it...

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

Personally, I would get the hospital experience & get my foot in the door. Especially with the opportunity to float, you'll probably get to experience more units than your school's clinicals will allow. You'll be getting in front of the nurse managers & opening up job opportunities for when you graduate all while getting paid - can't beat that really! :)

I'm slightly biased, because I recently made a similar decision. I've been with a company over 3 years and have been working PRN as a PCT at a hospital and will go part time there soon and quit my other job. Granted, my other job is not healthcare-related so that does weigh in the decision but really, if you want to plant a seed for RN job opportunities early, I'd go with the hospital job.

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Had my interview and got the job. I accepted - my plan is to work both jobs until I start school. If my current hospice job does offer me weekends, I will think about it and make the decisions two weeks before I start, but I am really leaning towards the agency at this point.

I hate to leave after two years and add something else to my resume, but she said the place where they staff cna's most is in icu and surgery which sounds sooo interesting and cool to me. I would love that experience... So probably will stick with the new agency. I will see...

I was kinda bummed though, only a 50 cent increase than my current job :( but still it's more than what I make now.

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I would say option 2 , when your in nursing your going to have no time... and 2 days a week thats crazy I dont think you'll have time for all your school work.. you need atleast a few hours each weekday and one weekend day! hope i helped

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