Making the best of my wait

[Salamander39]

I need some advice. I have finished all of my nursing prerequisites and am awaiting placement into a nursing program. Our schools have a lottery system that doesn't rely on grades, just luck of the draw. I have been waiting for over a year and have been taking some health care courses so that I don't forget anything while I wait...patiently. Would it be in my best interest to find a job doing something related to health care , simply for the experience, while I wait? I don't have the time or money right now to become a CNA, but perhaps some kind of hospital job would be of value? I am currently working part time at another job, but would like to make the most out of my wait time. Any suggestions?

[sunray12]

Definitely use this time to get experience in health care whether its paid or unpaid. The experience will count most for nursing school if it involves patient contact. Future employers will also like to see that you had some prior health care experience.

[j450n, BSN, MSN, RN]

I agree with sunray. Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of job-searching comes down to being able to network and get the hook up somehow. If it means volunteering at a hospital until you find that in, then definitely pursue it.

I worked at as a barista/gift shop student assistant for three years at my hospital while taking undergraduate classes and a CNA class. Because I was able to stay there for so long, I had gotten to know a lot of my regulars...one of which was a nurse manager who pretty much gave me an interview for a CNA job in the hospital without even applying to it.

Good luck to you! Things have a way of working out in the most unexpected ways.

[SUSIE3403]

Hey don't worry I am about to get on a waiting list for two years and have decided to take the LVN program while I wait. After will see what happens. I want to continue taking courses and not just any courses, but those which will of course help in the nursing program. I figure I could work while I wait and I might be able to finish the RN program a year. Oh yeah and the LVN program is not going to cost me over twenty thousand it will only cost about three thousand. :typing

[peytonsmom]

Is this and ADN or BSN program? If it's and ADN, do you have any interest in furthering your education later down the road? If so you might want to talk to your local 4 year school and see what kind of general ed classes you would need to take for an RN to BSN track. That way when you decide to go back you already have those out of the way. Just make sure you ask about courses expiriing. Some science/math/computer classes are only good for 5-7 years depending on the school.

[AZMOMO2]

At least volunteer 1 day a week at the hospital or a nursing home or something and continue in school by taking the co-reqs for the program if there are any others than the core classes. Take pathophsyiology if you have not done so already. Most hospitals allow their volunteers to be considered for their career track programs where they partner with colleges and pay your tuition in return for a contract to work for them after graduation. It speeds the wait and takes you out of the lottery style selection because partner programs get first shot at the placements.