Student213

I work nights full time so the pay is a little better. I started at 12 plus 1.50 shift diff for weekdays and 3 for weekends. After I finished my second semester, since im a nurse extern, I got a 2.00 raise plus a raise at one year. I work alot of weekened since I go to school during the week so I usually make $17.34 an hour. The insurance is also super cheap and really good coverage so I save money there compared to my old job. But PCT's don't get the $2.00 raise so they would stay at around 12 with sift diff until they become an RN. If you can afford to make the switch I would recommend it, and for people who aren't working, getting a PRN job just one day a week won't get in the way of school and will be so worth it.

You can be a PCT at most hospitals after the first semester. I actually started applying about halfway through the first semester. You can also be a nurse extern which is what I am. It's basically a PCT except you can doing non med related nursing stuff like put in IV's, NG tubes, foleys, etc with the RN present. For that job most positions are only after the first year of nursing school (again, you would apply during the second semester because once the semester is over those spots would be filled). There are a few that start after the first semester like mine did so go ahead and look, and if not sure then apply anyways. The worst they can do is deny you the spot. THR posts them all the time and Methodist has a set time every semester when they post these spots. Apply as a unit secretary is also an option if you can't get a tech job. There are 3 kinds of jobs. PRN (work 1 day a week and more if you want to and if they need you), Part Time (min 2 days a week and more if you want) and full time (Min 3 days a week)

Most of the programs are about 4 months. THR is 18 weeks with both classes and working with a nurse on the floor, never more than 40 hours a week.

When you get out if you wanna work for a big hospital then you have to do a residency and hospitals offer a number of these every semester. Most of the internships get posted in October of you final semester, if you work for a hospital then they let employees apply early and some have jobs slated for employees only. For example, at THR the job is listed as GN (as in graduate nurse). They start posting them in early september for employees. This time around they had 55 spots for employees only. Then in October they open jobs for non-employees, they had 14 spots for non-employees. At JPS you only fill out one application that is open for a week for employees and then the next week non-empoyees can apply for one week. I know of 5 people so far out of my class that have jobs, of course there are more than that. Most people are still waiting for interviews or to hear back from interviews. Pay is around 23-24 and hour with $4 shift diff for nights, $5 for weekends and $9 for weekend nights. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Sorry, I do not

Haha, I forgot that I wrote this. :) I really do hope you guys hear something by Monday. I have a couple of friends applying as well. Update on the tech job thing I mentioned in the last post...I got a graduate nurse job in an ICU!!! I am beyond excited and can't wait to start. :)

Hello everyone. Sorry that you are waiting so long for your acceptance letters. I know how stressful it can be. I can't tell you if you got in or not but I can tell you that orientation is going to be on Dec 3rd all day. I hope all of you get to attend. :)

Baylor put up their internships for two weeks in September. THR started with internal people in Septermer and opened up external in early october. I don't believe they are listing them anymore. JPS was open for a week in October. Methodist put theirs up a few weeks ago, they may have a few straglers.

Hi guys. Congratulations on making it into the program. I was hoping you could advise me. I am graduating with my ADN soon and will be working on my BSN and later I might try to get into NP school. Would it be a good idea for me to take my RN-BSN at UTA instead of another school. Will this help me later if I try to go to NP school there? Thanks

It's on the 5th floor of the nursing building (street level). You can't miss it. They have a cart outside selling shirts and other stuff.

It's the Texas Nursing Student Association. It's the nursing club. You'll find out more about it at orientation. We run the store, go to orientation, organize volunteer stuff, help the students, give out scholarships...etc

Oh don't be nervous. You will make lots of new friends and have fun. This might help. Go to youtube and search for TNSA2013 (no space) go down a few links until you see the one actually titled that. Click it and watch the movie inside. It's a recap of our spring semester.

Hello Future Nursing Students!!! Hi, my name is Verna and I will be the TNSA Peer Assist for next semester. I would like to start off by congratulating everyone who got in, also for those of you that are alternatives...hang in there. There is still hope. I am in the TCC Nursing Program and I am finishing up my Pedi/OB Semester. I was on this forum when I applied to TCC for Spring 2012. I just wanted to stop by and give a few tips and to let you guys know that myself and many other current students are here for you if you have any questions. I good source to go to for immediate answers is the facebook pages. TNSA at TCC or Nursing Students Group. So here are a few quick tips in no particular order. 1. As of this week your two year countdown has already begun!!! YAY!! Enjoy your time off while you can. Not to say that you won't have time for fun in school but the first semester and mental health are the two most time consuming so relax before you start. Also, if you have a significant other or family then start spoiling them now. You are going to need their help and support to get through nursing school, especially if you work. 2. Books - TCC will give you a long list of books to buy that you may not use. Don't be afraid to buy an older editions. Trust me, I wasted a lot of money. Buy the current foundations book. In skills class we only used the online component. The math calculations book I never used. TCC had their own way of doing it and the WILL drill it into you. Plus TNSA is here for you if you need tutoring...just stop by the office. If you do buy the book it will be only for you to use at home and the current edition is EXPENSIVE...if you do buy then buy an older edition. The same with care plan books. These are only for you to use at home so buy and older edition. Also, you won't need a drug guide. Most students use Micromedex on our phones and it is free. 3. Don't be afraid to stop buy the TNSA office for any questions. Seriously...most of the time we are just sitting there waiting for people to come by. NO question is too silly...we are bored and love to help. 4. Bring cash to orientation. We will have lots of cool stuff like TCC nursing shirts..etc that you may want to buy. 5. Come to the TNSA meetings. You can come even if you did not pay for a membership and they are a lot of fun. We have free food and prizes and guest speakers. We've had THR hiring managers, Carefite nurses, ICU nurses, SANE nurses etc. Very informative. 6. After you finish your first semester you are technically a CNA and can get a PCT or Nurse Extern job at a hospital. Most TNSA officers have these jobs so if you have questions stop by the TNSA office and we can help you out. You don't have to wait until you finish foundations to apply. I applied for my job 6 weeks before I was done and started right after. Hospitals have people graduating every semester so they have post the jobs and hire people before the semester is over. 7. It's totally normal to step out on the floor your first day of clinical and have no idea what you are doing or what you are supposed to be doing. Make friends with your clinical buddies and you will see they are just as confused as you. You will be fine. 8. Enjoy the ride. Nursing school is a lot of work just like everyone says, but it is also a lot of fun. AND again...if you have any questions or just want to chat...STOP BY THE TNSA OFFICE!!!!!!!!!!

So who's ready for orientation tomorrow? I'm a current student from the Spring 2012 tread. Congrats to all that got in. I'll be volunteering tomorrow and can't wait to see all of you tomorrow.

You purchase your student nurse badge from the bookstore and wear it with your school id