Dying for a new grad residency in peds (hemonc)

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone!

I am quickly approaching the end of my second year of my BSN with the third and final year surely to be at my doorstep in what will feel like seconds. I have been intensely interested in getting into a new grad residency particularly geared towards oncology with the hope of becoming a pediatric hemonc nurse one day. My issue is that I work full time in a job not at all related to medicine (it's retail and I was just promoted to assistant manager so I can push the "customer service" skills I have cultivated over the last 14 years or so but I know this will not get me far).

Now, I only have to attend school technically part time (I have none of the GEs or capstones required as this is my second bachelor's and I've fulfilled those reqs) so I have used this as an opportunity to really buff myself up academically. Time is really the issue for me and I am concerned about my extracurriculars and staying competitive. I am concerned that my resume is a little thin. So far, I have gotten into a program for population health promotion that uses students as volunteer health coaches for a multidisciplinary team that coordinates care for high-risk patients. This just wrapped up its pilot quarter and the experience and networking have been invaluable and I look forward to continuing in my role as a health coach. I also was elected the faculty liaison for our campus organization and that closeness to the faculty has and will continue to be very helpful. I have my own projects that I get to head up and some other responsibilities that have given me good experience in terms of administration and management. I have done some other volunteer work through our campus org here and there as time permits.

The only thing I don't have that concerns me is that PCA or student nurse job that it seems like everyone in my class has had an easy time snatching up. The are reasons for why I have not been able to do this. Our program compliance requires health insurance so I stay on with my current job because when I left initially when nursing school started the burden to pay for health insurance privately became too costly (I also really shouldn't have messed around with not working in the first place). My current financial conditions demand that I continue to work at least until the end of the summer.

So, I am reasonably (at least I think so) disturbed and worried about my prospects for getting into a new grad program. I ran around back and forth between the hospital I coach at and school and faculty meetings and volunteering and working until I nearly collapsed at the end of this past quarter (the stomach bug I got from my partner laid me pretty low). I still feel, though, that I am not doing enough. I know that my chances for getting a student nurse job are much lower at the end of the summer than at the beginning but I struggle with those circumstances at the moment.

What do you all think? I am still going to attempt to figure it out and get a student nurse job but if I don't do you think that will be detrimental to my chances at remaining a competitive candidate for getting into a new grad residency?

Sorry it was so long! I appreciate any responses. allnurses has been an awesome resource for me. :)

[pittnurse24, BSN, RN]

I don't think not having a PCT/CNA/student nurse job will hurt your chances at all. To be honest the fact that your an assistant manager shows that you are a leader and someone who regularly delegates to other associates. Nursing is all about customer service and you've had a great deal of practice in that skill. I worked in the restaurant business most of my life up until nursing school and I think all those skills that I learned and that I was in nursing school, helped me get the job as a PCT. I haven't found a job yet in a residency program and I worked as a PCT for 1.5 years so no I don't think it really helps that much, maybe only to get a job on the unit you were a PCT, but other than that I wouldn't worry too much. You have to do what's best for you and you need your retail job for insurance so thats understandable. If you really would prefer a PCT type job, then maybe you could find a full time one so you get the experience in a hospital, but also the benefits of being full time! Good luck with everything :)