jobs while in nursing school

Cuddleswithpuddles · Mar 17, 2012

Hello,

I have never worked as a CNA or pharmacy technician but I do think previous exposure and work experience in healthcare will help.

However, do keep in mind that being a CNA is often overwhelming and backbreaking work that may not be conducive to your studies. If being a CNA was my first real glimpse into the world of healthcare, I probably would have ran away screaming. Double, triple, unbelievably large extra super sized kudos to the CNAs of the world because I could not hack it. If you come to the same conclusion, check into becoming a home health aide. You go to patients' homes, have one patient at a time and the HHAs I have spoken to often have spare time to breathe and read once their duties are over.

As for being a pharmacy technician, pharm tech programs in my area are several months long and are usually offered by very expensive vocational private schools. It may not be a worthwhile pursuit if you have to spend several months and several thousands of dollars for a job that does not have a huge amount of overlap with the nursing profession. Pharm techs and nurses deal with medications but, in my opinion, have very different focuses and skill sets. Being a pharmacy technician will not necessarily give you knowledge and experience in *administering* medications, which is a crucial part of your future job.

Have you looked into job openings for unit secretaries?

Good luck!

Katie71275 · Mar 17, 2012

I personally would not work while attending nursing school. Nursing school needs 100% of your time if you are able to give it.

What I would suggest though is to do some volunteer work. For example, I will be volunteering as a CASA worker(working with foster children) and also working with DART(for abused women). My previous life before I started nursing school 7 months ago was as a foster care worker and then investigator for child protection, so this fits into my skillset.

Also, student nurses are encouraged to work as nurse techs here to gain some knowledge and experience so that might be something you could do.

maccheese · Mar 18, 2012

Yeah, I would only work if I had to, or honestly felt I had the time. Other than that, I wouldn't stress it. As a PP said, you can get a Nurse Tech, or PCT job, which should only be 1 12hour shift per week. That can possibly be doable. Working is also a good way to network.

Qtip · Mar 18, 2012

Our instructors encourage us to work in the hospitals in any capacity over summer and winter breaks. CNA, volunteer, etc. They also strongly advise not working while schools in session. I myself work 2-3 days a week in a restaurant (14-20hours) during semesters and volunteer at a hospital 1 day a week during school breaks. Working can make things difficult certain weeks such as those with a test but I also find it somewhat of a relief as it gets my mind off school for a little while. I don't know if working 1-2 days a week as a CNA would provide the same stress relief as your mind never really leaves nursing but It would seem to help in other more practical ways. Personally I think it would burn me out.

mindlor · Mar 18, 2012

I chose not to work during school. Finances were not an issue for me. I know many people are not as fortunate as I am. That said, being a CNA is very different than being a nurse. My girlfriend and I have had many arguments about this topic. She works as a tech full time and goes to RN school full time. As a result her grades suffer. Also, to survive in both of her worlds she does just enough to minimally get by in school.

She is paying 50 thousand dollars for her ADN and it is a shame she is not able too really get the most out of her schooling.....

Anyway, at the end of the day everyone will have their own opinion.

The only way teching will help you get a job as a nurse is via the networking you will do. Tech exp does not translate into RN exp......

PinkNBlue, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2012

Around here, the only people that have jobs after graduating in December are those that worked in a hospital (and only a few). So I recommend most definitely getting a job as a CNA in a hospital (and if you can find the floor you're interested in and they have a job opening, take that one). They are more apt to hire someone in house as opposed to someone off the street; it's less orienation and it's less stress on you trying to find everything on the floor and knowing the politics of the unit. JMO but I worked for 6 yrs as a tech at the facility I now work at as a nurse. I wouldn't change a thing. Good luck!

Katie71275 · Mar 18, 2012

From what I've heard here, most of the nurses who graduate and were nurse techs are offered a job right after graduation(or before grad even).

maccheese · Mar 19, 2012

$50,000 for an ADN? That must include something other than tuition...

I chose not to work during school. Finances were not an issue for me. I know many people are not as fortunate as I am. That said, being a CNA is very different than being a nurse. My girlfriend and I have had many arguments about this topic. She works as a tech full time and goes to RN school full time. As a result her grades suffer. Also, to survive in both of her worlds she does just enough to minimally get by in school.
She is paying 50 thousand dollars for her ADN and it is a shame she is not able too really get the most out of her schooling.....
Anyway, at the end of the day everyone will have their own opinion.
The only way teching will help you get a job as a nurse is via the networking you will do. Tech exp does not translate into RN exp......

jfn820 · Mar 22, 2012

I do work right now either 16 or 24 hours a week, I haven't had any problems with being stressed out or not being able to handle the work. My boss is really good about giving me time off before tests, his mother is a nurse so he understands haha. I am in my fourth and final rotation of Junior year and it is just hitting me how close I am to being finished. I'm just worried that my resume is going to look empty. I am from MA and currently job security around here is not that good and plan on going south after graduation anyways, so networking here would not do much for me. I'm just wondering what is going to help me the most on paper really because as it is I don't think my resume would stand out to any employer.

maccheese · Mar 22, 2012

I forgot to mention as well. I do work PRN at a hospital. I average 12-28 hours per week, but my schedule is very flexible. I rarely work the day before tests and I can do a little reading while there. My household is also okay with the amount of money I make, so it doesn't break us if I don't make 40 hours. I do HAVE to work these amount of hours before we need the money.