ATaylorRNG

Have you tried calling human resources at the hospitals and telling them you're a nursing student and asking them what kind of employment they have available for nursing students?

I agree with the above post. When I worked as a Nurse Tech, the requirements were that I had completed my first semester of clinicals in nursing school. Sometimes hospitals are willing to hire you if you are within your first semester of school. Working as a Nurse Tech, you'll fulfill the same duties as a CNA (bed baths, foley cath care, ambulating, assisting to bed side toilet, etc), but you'll also be able to take on more tasks as you are checked off on them. Usually if it is a new task, you'll have the delegating nurse (the one who assigned you the task) to come and supervise and offer support if you have questions while you're doing it, and then they'll check you off for doing that skill. Trust me, if you get a job as a Nurse Tech, it will help you out INCREDIBLY during nursing school- especially clinicals. My greatest advice to you, if you take a Nurse Tech job, is to get in there, get to know the nurses and let them know that you want to learn as much as you can- you'll inevitably find at least one nurse that is going to go the extra mile to make sure you get to learn important nursing skills. Good luck, and kudos! You're on the right path already!

I know its a lil too north for you, but in Shreveport, the going pay rate for new grad RNs in anywhere from $22-26/hr in hospitals (and diffs), or about $16 at a doctor's office (of course, depending on the dr.). Also, the housing prices here are quite decent. I will be making $26 an hour plus shift diffs and we have a 3 bed 2 bath home in a nice neighborhood with a large lot and we only paid $109K for it! So, if South Louisiana doesn't work out for you, consider Shreveport!

I haven't taken and passed the NCLEX yet (I'm actually in the same position you are- studying on my own), but my husband just took and passed the NCLEX this past June. He did the HURST review course and loved it, but you don't have to take the class if you want the material...they actually make a HURST NCLEX review study guide and its great. I'm also studying Saunders NCLEX and I love it a lot.

Hey there! I'm actually the same size as you and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE urbane scrubs! The are very slenderizing AND comfortable and cute at the same time. If the only access to scrubs you have is at Wal-Mart, then you'll have to order these online, but its definitely worth the effort! Good luck with the search! :)