Job advice- Patient transporter

[LJR89]

Hey there!

I will be beginning my first semester of nursing school in a couple weeks. Like so many others I am looking for a job to gain experience and, of course, pay the bills.

I do not have my CNA but I have past experience working as a nurse aid in an emergency department (my favorite job ever).

But, I moved to state that follows the norm as far as requiring PCTs or ER techs to have some sort of certification. So even though I have experience, I'm simply not qualified to work at a hospital here in those roles. (Atleast not until I am eligible to take the CNA exam in a semester or two)

However, I have come across positions that I am very qualified for, as a patient transporter.

I guess that's a pretty verbose intro for simply wanting to know if people think the position would be beneficial when applying for future positions as an RN, or if there really isn't enough patient interaction and I should just wait until in eligible to get my CNA. Any advice is appreciated. I miss working in a hospital!

[direw0lf, BSN]

Patient transport is a hard job. You're on the clock and usually have to get a pt up on your own. My friend worked as one.

I'd take it. It is a lot of pt interaction. But you already have good experience. This could hurt you instead of help if you don't do a good job. I'm not saying you won't I just mean that it's not as easy as it sounds.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

You can make a REALLY good impression on a lot of people as a transporter. You go EVERYWHERE in the hospital. A smile, cheerful attitude, hustle, and willing spirit will be noticed. THAT could pave your way to a job as a CNA or student/ tech.

[LJR89]

Oh I know transport isn't easy! A lot of my job as an aid in the ER was transport from the ER to the floor or radiology, etc. but I also got to collect UAs and perform ECGs, and help keep them comfortable. I guess I just worry those are the skills they are looking for rather than the tricky task of Tetris-ing a 200+lb patient on a stretcher with an iv pump and oxygen tank into a tiny double room with family members from both patients crowding and watching your every move lol. I know any job will be beneficial and provide learning opportunities, I think I was really just looking for some reassurance:). Thank you so much for that!

[mrsboots87]

I say go for it. It is silly to not try a job purely out of fear of making a bad impression on the facility. Transport job actually arent all that hard. They are not easy, but more of a heavy lifting and pushing kind of hard. You do get assistance in transfering heavy patients though. Also, this will be your in to get to apply internally when you get your CNA cert so you will most likely get a CNA or tech job. Then you use that as your in for an RN job. But even if you don't get your CNA, you still have your foot in the door at the hospital in order to apply internally as an RN, and you will have already met some of the staff and managers.

There are people in my program who work in dietary or with the cleaning service at hospitals. They have already met with unit managers and such and have interviews in the works for when they graduate. And those are farther from RN then a transporter would be. There are also a couple transporters who love their job and have interviews lined up as well.

Another thing to consider is that some hospitals still have tuition reimbursement. You usually qualify after like 6 mos. So you could get extra money for your education.

If you can get this job, I see nothing but good things that can come of it if you are a good worker.

[johsonmichelle]

I say you should do it, a lot of my nursing classmates are doing it to gain tech/student nurse position. I know a girl who was transporter and then got a position in the icu because she made a very good impression with manager on the unit. Getting into the hospital system can be hard so take whatever position that you can get and then work your way from there.