AshBuggin

Anyone else work full time while they're in a nursing program? I'm a PCT and I work 36 hours a week on a busy med/surg floor and I attend school 4 days a week. I'm in my 3rd of out 7, 10 week term and I am already utterly exhausted. Any advice or tips on how to manage time would be appreciated. Stay strong and kind , my fellow nursing students!

Nope. That's not accurate. Under chapter 760 a former employer has to be asked the specific question " how did she quit" for that employer to legally disclose that specific information. Florida job reference law is very strict and any employee had the right to file a civil suit if they feel this right is violated. It's very tricky and most employers will not take the chance to bad mouth or disclose specific negative information. Civil suits are a liability to any employer. Have you been in management and given bad references? There are absolutely consequences.

I worked as a tech in Peds for about 6 years. We had monthly mock codes. My nurse educators goal was to catch anyone off guard. She would hit the call bell in a room and the first person in the room had to initiate the code and the staff would follow suit. This prepared me for almost anything. I don't have any recommendations but I want to assure you that whatever you chose to do.. Someone will benefit from it. So awesome of you!!

Previous employers can not share theses specifics with a new employer. They are either eligible or ineligible for rehire- at least that's the case here in the state of FL. She also doesn't have to list this employer as a reference. It's hardly career suicide. She can most likely land a job somewhere else if she networks herself. I know nurses who have quit without any notice and they're doing just fine.

I agree! Some colleges are working pre reqs into their Adn program courses , so, you could indeed get your Adn in 2 years -pre reqs included. It depends on the state you live in and their requirement.

It isn't just a thought. I signed a legal document. They can not disclose any information regarding my treatment. EAP covers the cost and I chose my in-network provider. I know 2 nurse managers personally who agree with me on this. Hippa applies to us too.

A lot of them don't care. I've worked for mayo clinic who was concerned with the GPA and if you passed or not. They're respectable. Check with the employer you wish to work for. Once you get that first year under your belt you can work just about anywhere if you have references.

Perhaps things are different in FL and I'm not calling anyone a liar. My counselor isn't affiliated with my place of work-EAP covers the cost.

Also- they legally can not discuss what you tell them to your manager. It's a dr. Ot privilege. So anyone who claims this has happened was wronged or they are being untruthful

I've used EAP and it was worth it! I highly recommend it.

A diploma is a diploma. If you pass the nclex it doesn't matter where you attended school.

If I were you I would invest in liability insurance to protect yourself from being sued civilly. It's like 35-50 bucks per year. Refusing to care for a patient without replacing yourself with another staff member - in some states could bring on an abandonment charge, I believe. This is speculation, of course. Research your rights in your state.

A BSN will be mandatory pretty soon. Most hospitals (at least the ones here in FL) require you to either have your BSN or commit to enrolling in a BSN program- with that being said a lot of hospitals will pay for you to get your BSN. I chose to get my ASN then do a bridge option onion for my BSN and let my employer pay for it. It's less expensive for me that way. Depends on your end game, I suppose. Good luck!

Being a PCT is different and similar to a CNA in LTC stress that you're comfortable working as part a team in stressful situations and include any contributions you've made to your community. Be positive! Exude sunshine! Express your want to further your education if that's the case too! A willingness and want to learn is aka way an asset. Good luck!!!

Or having to precept one!!

I'm an ADN student and I just got hired at a magnet hospital. BSN students usually have a leg up when applying for RN positions but having bedside patient care experience as a tech will help immensely when applying for nursing jobs- in my opinion. I've been a PCT for about 8 years and have seen ADN and BSN applicants get hired.

I got my first gig without experience. I knew someone. Network network network

Do you write things down? Get in the habit of making lists and trying to check things off as they get done. Sometimes it helps to have a little bit of organization since the floors can sometimes be chaotic.

Challenge the LVN board? I don't think that's a thing. I've been a CNA/PCT for about 8 years and I've never heard of this. I'm in nursing school now and it took a while to get my ducks in a row so that I could commit to an RN program but it was worth it. Nursing students can challenge the LVN board in some cases but they have to have taken some core RN courses like pharmacology before they have that OPPORTUNITY.

I've been a PCT for about 8 years. I start on a med surg floor Monday(moved to Tampa from Jax ) so I'm in your boat! I disagree with the above about not taking notes. I would carry a small notebook with you. Yes, things will be happening fast but you could always jot down codes, floor numbers and their corresponding units, where x-Ray is located etc. I'm seasoned but I still find times to take reference notes. It's always been more of a help than not having it.

I could place Foleys as a PCT when I wasn't in Nursing school. New hires did too. Pay was the same. I think it depends on the hospital honestly

Kaplan Kaplan Kaplan Kaplan

There are still hospitals hiring ASN grads! Make sure you pass the boards your first try (it's public record and hiring managers do check that out) and have a resume full off community service and professor recommendation letters if you haven't had any bedside patient care experience as a PCT and can't get a referral from a Nurse manager. Network during clinicals too! I'm in your same boat and am hoping to get hired as an RN while I'm working towards my bachelors. I've spoken with my floor manager, our director of nursing and many other reputable sources and these are some of their recommendations. It's possible! Work hard and keep your focus strong. Hope this helps !!!

I've been a PCT for years and I've worked with both EMTs and CNAs. From my experience, the scope of practice on a hospital unit is exactly the same regardless of your certification (excluding the ED) . I agree with above that either will prepare you and that you shouldn't let your certification expire.

I live and work in FL and 21-27 sounds about right. Glassdoor.com is an excellent site to gage pay scales for hospital jobs. Hope this helps!