nursing tech job at the end of junior year??????

[sbonaparte]

Hello to all, there was I another question I wanted to ask(I have lots of them!!!) At the end of your junior year in a BSN program do you have the option of working as a nurse tech in a hospital? If so, does this apply to your learning experience(yes it does, duh). I guess what I'm trying to say is, does the school grant your credit for this external experience? Also, what are the hours you can work as a nurse tech, and what is the pay?

Sonia:rolleyes:

[allthingsbright]

Sonia,

You can get a job as a nurse tech (or PCT) after your first semester of clinicals in most cases. Pay is around 10 bucks an hour here in the midwest. Um, you can work any regular hospital shifts: 7a-3p, 7a-7p, 3p-11p, or 7p to 7a. Lots of techs who are in school work weekends or nights/evenings. I am a unit secretary (9 bucks an hour, no direct patient care) and when my 1st semester of clinicals are over I will be promoted to a PCT (patient care tech) and make about 10 bucks an hour-I'll probably work weekend twelve hour shifts during the day.

Usually being a tech doesn't count towards school credit, but you do learn tons of stuff and it is great experience.

Amy :)

[babynursewannab]

Ditto what Amy said.

Except it's 9 something an hour wherever I've looked.

Alyssa;)

[AmiK25]

Sonia,

I am in Indianapolis, Indiana and we have program at most hospitals here called the student nurse extern, which you can begin after one semester of clinicals (You do not get school credit--it is just a job). It is different than the PCT because you get to basically function as a nurse under the direct supervision of an RN. I work in a large ICU and I get to pass meds, do complete assessments, etc....I usually have one patient and the nurse I am working with will simply check on me throughout the day, check my charting at the end of the day, and of course, she is always available to answer questions or help me out. It has really been great because I feel like I really get to live the full experience of being an RN while under direct supervision so I always have help. The only thing I am not supposed to do is pass IV push meds! The base pay for this position is $9.50 plus you get shift differential and you get to set your own hours. Anyway, sorry to go on for so long, but I thought you might want to check and see if there is a program similar to this in your area.

Good luck,

Ami

[Ortho_RN]

I work as a PCA (same as a PCT) and I work evenings and am making 12.34/hr But the experience is GREAT!!! Totally worth it..

[Flo1216]

My first year in school, I was so nervous that I would actually become paralyzed. I couldn't even take a blood pressure or make a bed! So I became a nursing assistant and it worked wonders for my anxiety. It's not the most glamourous job in the world, but I think it is the smartest thing I ever did.