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Having a BSN definitely seems to matter in the Seattle area, especially if you are looking to apply to hospitals that maintain or are pursuing magnet certification since part of that certification requires these hospitals be aiming for 80% BSN prepared staff. There are many BSN programs in this area, so employers can be choosy but I will say that I think being a non-new grad male nurse works to your benefit. That said, I know we have had many senior practicum students or CNAs that attended ADN programs that were not offered a position d/t the lack of BSN. Hope that helps, good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Wait, AngelofLTC, WHAT??? That, is so freaking awesome.

Our unit doesn't have weekend only nurses. They are just split up (though some choose to self schedule themselves that way) Usually we get 8 hours comp time regardless of whether the holiday was worked, and time and a half for hours worked on the holiday. Which is great! Thats why I feel in comparison weekend differential is not just compensation for having to work these holidays.

So since Christmas Eve/Day and NYE/Day fall on Saturday and Sundays this year we are not getting holiday pay because there is already a weekend differential...what?? How does this even make sense! big thumbs down! Is this how most hospitals are handling holiday pay this year?

Double glove one hand when anticipating messy clean-ups or when applying creams, lotions, etc. Peels right off and you can still continue whatever you were doing without getting everything messy again!

legscr, Thats encouraging to hear that they look at things such as experience and whatnot but correct me if I'm wrong but I did not see any portion on the application for including any of those things. From what I gathered it appeared that they only wanted to know about grades and TEAS score? Thanks in advance!

Cardiothoracic surgery/Telemetry! I'm really excited, I was originally leaning towards General Internal Medicine but the managers let me come in and talk to some of the PCTs and I just kind of fell in love with how busy it seemed and how much the PCTs were telling me they've learned. In general, the nurses and PCTs just seemed to be working together so much more efficiently on Telemetry so I ended up going for that one. Thanks for all of your input though, its all so exciting! Oh, and to those of you that worked or are working while in nursing school, how many hours do you do? Is it too crazy?

Nope, I am applying to nursing schools coming this fall/winter and trying to figure out my options. I am graduating UW with a degree in a different field next in two weeks, finishing up prereqs this summer/fall and hopefully will get in somewhere. My grades my first two years of UW weren't amazing so I am not proud of my cum gpa, but hopefully my performance the last two years and prereq grades as well as experience will somehow make up for it!

I hope this isn't rude but would anyone who got accepted mind sharing their stats? :) (oh and congratulations!)

Melosaur, how come only the nurse techs are allowed to do manual BPs? That seems really odd to me!

Reading all of these posts have gotten me so pumped! While I loved my previous job, I am really excited for all the learning opportunities it sounds like PCTs get to have.

As already mentioned, it depends on where you live. Most hospitals will not hire you until you have a little more experience. Do you have any friends or people you know that currently work in assisted living or nursing homes? Sometimes I feel like internet posting replies never even get seen and having someone put in a good word for you oftentimes is the best way to get a job. Yes, there is a nursing shortage but I don't think this shortage extends to CNAs, from what I've seen. Good luck!

PS. what did you like and dislike about the cardiac floor? I just got hired on either cardiac-telemetry or medsurg and am having a hard time figuring out what sorts of skills I will be able to learn on both as a PCT.

I would apply for the PCT per diem job, and see how you feel about things from there. If this is the hospital that you would LOVE to work at after graduating, I think its a great way to get your foot in the door. Plus, you will get the chance to learn more skills that you may not have the opportunity to gain as a hospital assistant and I think that is invaluable if you are studying to be a nurse. As for that feeling of what if you hate it? After interviewing and being toured on the floor, I think you will know if there's any reason that you would hate it (ask about patient to nurse ratios, how many pts you will have in your section, what are the daily routines, what are some new skills they will be training you to learn, etc) However, know that per diem positions do not provide benefits so that is something you may need to consider.

Is medical unit similar to med-surg? What kinds of patients do you get in your unit? I have been offered a position in either general internal or cardiothoracic surgery-telemetry and am trying to get an understanding of what kinds of new skills I will be able to learn. Sounds like your job is amazing! :)