Jobs while in school?

cad4296 · Sep 6, 2006

Right now I work at a corporate job M-F 8-5, which works with most pre-reqs and my boss is good at working with me if I need to alter my schedule for school. But once nursing school is here I'll have to look elsewhere. I'm thinking of looking into a unit secretary position. Check to see what the hospitals want in terms of knowledge/experience. Our hospitals want 2 years experience or science coursework, knowledge of medical terminology and 2 years clerical experience. Doctors offices usually employ medical assistants in our area (for an insulting wage none the less) because they can work both front and back office when needed.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2006

Right now I'm working in cellular (sales) & I'd like to get a job working at a doctor's office or something. Only thing is, no one wants to hire me because I have no experience. Atleast that's the only thing I can think of. I have schooling in IT & a ton of administrative knowledge. I'm doing my pre-reqs to get my AS in nursing. I'd love to work front office @ any kind of doctor's office & no one will even call me back for an interview. Help? What kinds of jobs are you guys doing?

Well, the thing is, you can't blame them for not wanting to hire you at this piont. You have no medical experience to speak of, and they'd have to train you completely. Many doctor's offices and hospitals are not allowed to hire nursing assistants or techs that have no medical training - you must either have your CNA (certified nursing assistant) or be an advanced nursing student. You should look into taking a CNA class to make yourself more marketable - they're usually only a couple of months long and most community colleges offer them. You take a test at the end and if you pass (it's pretty easy) you have your certification. Or if you wait until you are actually in nursing schools, some states let you take the CNA exam after you finish your first round of clinicals because they cover the same things that the CNA classes do (vital signs, bed making, baths, body mechanics, toileting) and then some. What I'm saying is that by having some sort of certification, you are telling the hospitals and doctors offices right there on your application that you are qualified for the job - that while they will still give you an orientation period, that they aren't starting from scratch. It also saves their butts because there is documentation that you are certified.

Other certifications you can get even before you start nursing school include pharmacy tech or phlebotomy (blood draw) tech. These, again, are certifications that make you marketable because you are showing the hospitals and doctor's offices that you've already been trained.

Of course you're going to hear stories about this person or that person who got a job in a doctor's office with no experience. Sometimes just knowing someone will get you a job, true. But that hasn't been your experience so far, so maybe it's time to check out these certification programs.

Good luck with everything! :)

LUXOR21 · Mar 21, 2007

I provide administrative support to five doctors in a busy Radiology dept. at a large hosptial in PA. This is a great environment and I am learning alot. I am currently taking a pre-nursing course and should start nursing classes in summer 2007. Yes I work 40 hours per week. I hope there will be a position for me once I pass the NCLEX. This is a great place to work!

LMRN10 · Mar 21, 2007

I work full time (40+ hours per week) at a Pharmaceutical Company in Illinois. It is really a good environment here as well because I work with a lot of people who have gotten their PhD and are doctors and know a lot of the stuff I am learning. I work for a marketing team for an antibiotic, so taking Micro this semester is cool.

I do admit though, if I could find a job that paid right at a hospital, I'd snatch it up right away!!!

AMR21, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2007

i work as a camp counselor @ a camp for kids and adults with physical and devlopmenat disabliities. we do all PC and ADLs and the nursing staff there has been super supportive of me doing the nursing thing. they show me stuff all the time.

miss_anneRN · Mar 21, 2007

:idea: Dear ErikaMarie,

I have been out of nrs school 5 years. I have one huge regret....not borrowing more money. Initially I worked full time waitressing at night, class/clinicals during the day. I was a friggin' zombie. I wish I had taken larger student loans so I could live off the extra money and not work so much. ( I didn't do this 'til the last semester...I wish I'd thought of it sooner ) I would have done better in school instead of barely passing some semesters. I also had a baby and a toddler. I ended up borrowing $15K, my monthly payment is $150 ( I went to a community college). This was a combo of Ford and Stafford loans. Look into filling out free financial aid forms. They are low interst government loans. The forms can be found in any campus office, or high schools even. Maybe you'll even qualify for a grant.

:smackingf

As far as experience goes....

The only experience I had as I entered into practice was 5 shifts at a nursing home thru an agency. Otherwise I waitressed (made more $) for 10 yrs before that. Any customer service type stuff is VERY helpful. Knowing how to politely excuse yourself from a talkative patient, deal with a rude irritated patient or family member, phone ettiquette... all are neccassary skills to get through a shift. I found most skills are learned on the job.

If you do need to work try finding a nursing assistant job. Maybe you could work 2- 12hr shifts on Saturday and Sunday (base pay + w/e differntial) . My facility currently has 4 Nrs students who only work w/e's and holiday weeks. In my facility 24hr/wk is enough for health insurance and vacation bennies. One girl does w/e's in the lab.

Good Luck to ya

Athenas83 · Mar 21, 2007

I work at home as a medical transcriptionist, and I plan on keeping my job part-time when nursing school starts in the fall.