employment advice while in school

U.S.A. Missouri

Published

Hi everyone! I am new here and looking for some advice. I am a SAHM, but babysit 2 children in my home. My youngest starts kindergarden in 2 weeks full time(my other two are in middle school), and am at crossroads. I am currently trying to get into Deaconess(Chamberlain) for the online associates starting in October. If not October, then March. I have all my prereq's (A&P I, II, Micro, etc). I do not have any nursing classes though. I am ready to stop babysitting and get a job and would love to do so in the health care field for experience and to get my "foot" in the door. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

For jobs in health care while in nursing school, you may want to consider a nurse assistant job or unit secretary position (depending on your qualifications and ultimate career goals). The nurse assistant job might be tricky because without any clinical experience you will need training. Hospitals usually offer this training over a 4-6 week period, full-time days, so if you start classes in October this may not work for you.

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I am going to school with a lot of folks who are patient care techs for BJC or St. John's....I know St. John's has a program you go through as mentioned above that's 4 - 6 weeks, full-time. I also understand that you can get hired on after your first semester of Fundamentals for these positions and the work schedule is fairly flexible.

I tried applying a number of times for unit secretary but never got any callbacks (maybe my BS in MIS and IT background made me appear overqualified?). It probably worked out for the best because I don't have a clue how I'd get through this first semester of NS while working right now!!

Good luck!!

I work at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Charles. Since I am in my first semester of nursing school I was hired on as an Advanced Nurse Assistant. Basically I am a nurse tech. I take vitals, and do basic patient care such as baths, helping with toileting, etc. If they know that you have already been accepted into a nursing program they are much more willing to work with you regarding your schedule, etc. After my first semester of clinicals I will get a pay increase. They also offer tuition reimbursement, which will be very helpful.

This job has certainly given me alot of exposure to dealing with patients, and building up confidence. A vast majority of the RN's that I am working with have graduated from the program that I am in currently and it has been very helpful being able to talk to them and get advice. I work nights to accomodate my husband's schedule, and my classes. On a good night I generally have the opportunity to study for my nursing classes, which is really helpful, also!

I had to do a nursing orientation class, over two different days. I also had to have CPR training, and will attend a hospital orientation class in September. The majority of my training came while working. I was paired with another tech for a minimum of six twelve hour shifts. I trained on both day and night shifts even though I mainly work night shifts right now.

I have heard that having medical experience other than your school clinicals will play into the kind of hourly wage I will be offered when I graduate.

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