Jobs for pre-nursing students..

U.S.A. Arizona

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ok so i am just twiddling my thumbs waiting to get into asu's professional nursing program, so i was wondering if anyone knew of some good jobs to have that are medical field related but dont really require any clinical experience. i was thinking something like a doctor's office or something... but anyone doing a job like that with any suggestions on how to go about getting a job like that ?? i am tired of doing auto loan approvals for my job:uhoh3:

New member.

I was at life care last week. One of the lady told me i have to work with them for nine good month before training me for free.

Specializes in RN-BC, CCRN, TCRN, CEN.
The types of jobs that many pre-nursing students have (healthcare or otherwise):

1. CNA (certified nurse assistant)

2. Unit secretary; also known as 'ward clerk'

3. Phlebotomist; phlebotomy technician

4. Home health aide

5. Hospital housekeeper/janitor

6. Restorative nursing assistant

7. Medication tech; medication aide

8. Waiter, server

9. Bartender

10. EMT (emergency medical technician)

11. Pharmacy technician

12. Hospital transport person

13. Van driver

14. Cashier

15. Dietary aide

16. Hospital launderer

17. Direct care staff member

18. Personal caregiver

19. Housecleaner

20. Lawn care

I'm hoping to sign up for my EMT Classes on Monday, but I'm not sure how it'll work out with my school schedule. I have done the Dietary Aide before, as well as a team member at Target (hoping to leave before the Chrismas rush!). My only problem is the lack of jobs for EMT's. One would think they would be in high demand but I can't find ANYTHING! All of the ER Tech jobs require previous experience, and none of the ambulance companies are hiring! (plus it'd be kinda hard to be on call with a college class schedule).

Any suggestions?? Who else hires EMT's? Where am I not looking? :confused:

Jeremy

Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/Acute Rehab.

You can get hired under an EMT certification at a public school as a Health Assistant. The pay really sucks, but it is pretty good practice for assessment/first aid/medication administration. Be aware, although illegal, many school districts are reluctant to hire males for this position. They won't come right out and say it, but this prejudice is there.

A better bet is unit secretary at a hospital. Or, better yet, Monitor Tech at a hospital. Some hospitals have combined US/MT (Unit Secretary/Monitor Technician) positions. Monitor Tech tends to pay better, and you get to be part of the clinical team...Unit Sec gives you lots of exposure to medical terminology, medications, patient records (just reading gives you lots of information you can tuck away in your head). Hospital shifts are nice too...12 hours shift --> 3 shifts = full-time (think benefits). Nurses & docs handy for brain picking.

I agree with the above. While I think working as a CNA, PCT, or something like phlebotomy is ideal - working as an admitting clerk can be good, too.

I worked as an ER clerk years ago. I think it was a great introduction to the hospital environment, especially since you can get this kind of job right away without having to take any class or get any certification. It's a great way to see and hear what goes on without any direct patient care responsibility, yet.

The best job I had was working 11 PM to 7 AM in a tiny ER. It was so small that we just had one counter where four of us sat: the physician, two RNs, and me, the admitting clerk. I was like a sponge and soaked it up.

If you do go for an admitting job, try to make sure it's not in a hospital's central admitting office. Away from patient care areas, you really don't see much in a job like that. To the OP, good luck with your ASU application!!!

So my best bet for an admitting clerk would be to just check around and see if any ER's are hiring.. that sounds like something I could do. I hope I can find something soon, I want something where I can "be a sponge" too!!

Oh and multicollinearity, thanks for the good luck wish!! I need all the luck I can get!! :)

New member.

I was at life care last week. One of the lady told me i have to work with them for nine good month before training me for free.

So what are you doing for the 9 months before they decide to train you?? That kinda sucks... It makes sense but still sucks. I dont have the time or money to do the all day everyday CNA training thing that most places offer, and all the CC's (that have next semester's schedules posted) are already full for spring semester's Nursing Assistant Courses... :madface:

kind of a skew of the topic...sometimes its necessary to volunteer at the hospital first to get your foot in the door, to "get known" and increase your odds of being hired....also, i dont know where the other poster got their info, but lifecare publishes monthly adds on craigslist for their classes, sometimes its the lifecare glendale, sometimes southmountain;

i looked into it w/ them before i took my current job, then had clinicals there when i took the course through gateway (when i had clinicals there, they said the course was 3 weeks long, you were paid during training, then your pay went up once you got certified, no i dont remember how much they paidf, but it wasnt much)

Specializes in RN-BC, CCRN, TCRN, CEN.
So what are you doing for the 9 months before they decide to train you?? That kinda sucks... It makes sense but still sucks. I dont have the time or money to do the all day everyday CNA training thing that most places offer, and all the CC's (that have next semester's schedules posted) are already full for spring semester's Nursing Assistant Courses... :madface:

Most places make you sign something saying "yes, I'll work here for x amount of months if you pay for my training"

Yeah I applied to volunteer at PCH and they told me that they didnt need volunteers in the areas I expressed interest in, they also said they weren't in need on the times I told them I could volunteer... so I just submitted a request for Banner Gateway, figure a new hospital might need more volunteers... I havent heard anything back yet , but that was just last week that I submitted my application. Hopefully I'll hear something soon...

Specializes in MSICU.
kind of a skew of the topic...sometimes its necessary to volunteer at the hospital first to get your foot in the door, to "get known" and increase your odds of being hired....

Yes, volunteering is a great way in the door. I was an ER volunteer for a few months before I began working at the hospital. Because I was a volunteer, my supervisor hired me on even though there were no "official" openings and practically over the phone! She wanted someone who had experience with the ER setting and working with patients. So if you have time to volunteer, do, because I know it really opened up a lot of doors for me. Good luck!:lol2:

Thank you!! I am still waiting to hear if they want me...:)

If you want a laid back flexible job apply to work in a pharmacy.There's one on every corner. I'm a pharmacy tech and I get paid decent for sitting around and studying at work!:yelclap: And you learn your drugs too. I know every med there is and it's generic, what it looks like, and how it smells (stinky pig thyroid anyone?). LOL! It's also really helped me learn typical dosages, Medicare Part B and D, what insurances do and don't cover, and SIG codes. CVS, Walgreens, hospital pharmacies, etc. will all hire and train you on the job. Then you can take the PTCB exam and become certified and get a raise. Yay for raises!

DoraDollie,

I had no idea that you could get hired as a pharmacy tech without training or experience! Do you mind if I ask what the usual entry-level pay is? I think it sounds like a great job for someone who wants to attend nursing school! What a great way to learn all the drugs!!!

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