Job while going to school?

SarasotaRN2b · Mar 6, 2008

Help. Is there any job I can get in a hospital or healthcare environment that does not require me to have an RN of some sort? Or do I just have to go get a job at Starbucks? I'm looking for something I can do while my husband and I go to school... Thanks.

Are you in nursing school now? I would definitely suggest that unless you have to work, to wait until after your first semester. Many hospitals will hire you after you finish your first semester as a Patient care assistant.

Do you have health care experience? There are jobs in the hospital you can look into, but usually they are looking for some experience. One idea may be as a transporter.

Kris

NurseBanana · Mar 6, 2008

No, I'm not in school yet- just taking pre-reqs. :-( But, thanks for your great info. :-) I DO have to work...we have a mortgage, many bills,etc...

SarasotaRN2b · Mar 6, 2008

Hi Sarah,

Since you aren't in the program yet, my suggestion would be to try to get your CNA and work on a hospital floor. While I have experience as a health unit clerk which helps me with some things while I am on clinical...had I worked as a CNA, it would have been a major plus for me. Many of my current classmates are planning on working as a CNA/PCA during our summer break so that we can be more comfortable around patient.

Another plus for you would be that if you work for a hospital, many times you can get either tuition reimbursement or hospital scholarships to pay for your classes...AND you may find yourself already having a job waiting when you are finished!

Kris

NurseBanana · Mar 6, 2008

weeeeeee! that sounds awesome! I didn't think of that. Thanks! :yeah:

Oh...how much does a CNA make?

Hydakins · Mar 6, 2008

Working as a nursing assistant definitely helps. If you do decide to lookin into it, remember that hospitals call that one position by different names/titles.

How much they make depends on the area and the facility. I know some that are in the $12-$14 range and I know of other hospitals that pay $18 and change.

NurseBanana · Mar 6, 2008

hmmm, I will have to look into it- so it's basically a nursing assistant (i.e. CNA, PCA...) ? I remember them from when my mom was recovering from surgery. She has been in and out of the hospital for the last year. Anyways, I will look into that and hopefully it's something I can do fairly quickly. I NEED to get out of my current job, it's sucking us dry with all the taxes I have to pay.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2008

Hi Sarah,
Since you aren't in the program yet, my suggestion would be to try to get your CNA and work on a hospital floor. While I have experience as a health unit clerk which helps me with some things while I am on clinical...had I worked as a CNA, it would have been a major plus for me. Many of my current classmates are planning on working as a CNA/PCA during our summer break so that we can be more comfortable around patient.
Another plus for you would be that if you work for a hospital, many times you can get either tuition reimbursement or hospital scholarships to pay for your classes...AND you may find yourself already having a job waiting when you are finished!
Kris

I agree with the above 100% and do not want to re-write it all. I do want to add though, that you most likely will make more working at Starbucks than you would as a CNA. The exp is great, I was one myself for 4 years while I was in nursing school---the hospital I worked for also paid a good chunk of my school each semester and gave me a great job after I passed my boards. On the flip side, I never worked so hard for so little money while being a CNA.

It would be great if you could find a hospital that would pay a part of your tuition while in school--but most of them have a tuition re-reimbursement after you get your lic and then they pay your loans.

You will have to weigh everything out. I know in my state the nursing shortage has hit so hard that every hospital as a tuition re-reimbursement program...so another option may have to be take out more loans ( I hate to advice that but reality is reality, you have to pay the bills) just to get by for now, and then land a job that will pay those loans off for you.

Best of luck---nursing school is hard but the satisfaction of completing it is the best thing you will ever experience.

NurseBanana · Mar 6, 2008

Ok, I figured out what I am going to do! :idea: I will get my LPN and at the same time take pre-reqs for my RN. Then I will be able to apply for the RN program right when I finish my LPN. Then, I can work as an LPN while I get my RN. :nurse:And hopefully I will be working at a place that does tuition re-imbursement. This seems like the quickest way to get out of my current (and horrible) job situation while at the same time gaining good experience. The LPN is only 5 courses. yay! I'm excited! Thanks for all your posts. :yeah:

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 7, 2008

you most likely will make more working at Starbucks than you would as a CNA. I never worked so hard for so little money while being a CNA.

:yeahthat:

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2008

you most likely will make more working at Starbucks than you would as a CNA.

Perhaps pay is different in different areas? Around here Starbucks pays $8/hr and CNA's make $10/hr and up.

Getting CNA training is the best thing you could do for you nursing career. There are also other Hospital jobs that you could get. Look at your local ROP and see what classes you could take that could get you a hospital job with just one semester of training. Good luck! :)

NurseBanana · Mar 7, 2008

Starbucks pays minimum wage...a CNA really makes only $7/ hr? Seriously? IF that is the case, then I should just stay with what I am doing now.:uhoh21: