Should I continue to work as PCT to increase chances of getting RN job when I graduate?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I wasn't sure where to post this but I did want advice from nurses. I currently work as a patient care tech at a hospital in the Chicago area. I am in my senior year of nursing school as well. I have worked at this hospital for 6 months and really don't see myself working as an RN there, although I would never rule it out! My question is, how important is it to finding a nursing job after graduation, to keep this job as a PCT? My workload at school is getting more strenuous as they are now requiring NCLEX prep along with our nursing classes. I do not want to let my grades slip as school is my priority right now. I constantly dread going into work and stress myself out about it each day I am scheduled. I don't however want to alter my chances at an RN position when I graduate due to the fact I am not working in a hospital environment. What have you seen or experienced with this? I would appreciate any advice. I also didn't mention that I am 40+ years old so I already feel at a disadvantage trying to be hired as a new grad.

Thank you everyone!

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Dear Should I stay as PCT?

Working as a PCT in the same hospital you want to land a job in as an RN is a great help. Many facilities give an extra application point to current employees, and to applicants who are referred by employees. Of course, they will look at the whole picture, such as your GPA, your attendance, and will ask your manager for her input.

By contrast, working as a PCT and applying to another hospital does not give you this insider advantage, or much advantage at all.

You are right about age discrimination in nursing, it does exist in many places.

The safest thing, job-wise, is to keep your PCT job, and apply there for an RN job. This is providing they hire new grads. After a year or two of working, you will be far more marketable, and have your pick of hospitals.

Find out what the job market for new grads is like in the Chicago area to help you make your best decision.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[n_matjushenko]

You should continue working while in school even if you go prn status. I work as pct and those skilled help me a lot when I started working as a Nurse. It's easy to get a job within your corporation whether you stay at this hospital or another hospital within the corporation. You be an internal candidate. A new nurse with no experience in Illinois good luck finding a job. For me I graduate in December and I got my temporary license and I felt like ha ha I can go work for any company I want now. I got interviews and they all said the same thing come back when you have license number. I got humble really quick and told my employer I got my temporary license. They had me working (training) as a Nurse. I thank them they will always be my first Nursing job. Once you have a month of experience it opens doors for you to go anywhere. I got a second job already. It's with paying back my student loans.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You probably know the phrase...it is easier to get a job when you already have a job. Here's why:

1. Actively employed people have a ready-made network of coworkers, references, and people who can put in a good word for them when it is time to seek jobs.

2. Actively employed people may come across as less desperate during the job hunting process. The air of desperation can turn some interviewers off.

3. If your current employer likes you enough to keep you aboard, other employers might be more willing to take a chance on you and offer you an RN job.

My advice is to keep the PCT job.

[GENJEN]

Please keep your job. You may need to go PRN. I may be the only one but your age may not be a hindrance as you think. The reason I say that is "work ethics". Ask yourself, "what are my work ethics"? In the past, I have told student's that it may not be your ideal place to work right now, but your foot is in the door. Remember to always do your very best because someone is watching.

Good Luck

[RN-Doula]

Keep your job. I have taught nursing school 10 years now. From my former students: Staying at the same place gave them seniority in vacations and time off accruing, the more years at a place, irregardless of your status counts. Age is not a problem. One 35 year old new grad got her dream job in the ICU the month she finished. They loved her 15 years experience in management, the skills are transferable.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Age discrimination at 40? You still have a good amount of years to work. If you were 55+, maybe, not at 40. Many hospitals prefer to hire people who have some maturity.

With that said, you are sitting pretty to get a job after graduation, and why you would quit that is beyond me. Even if you don't like the unit, get your experience in. Once you do that, you can transfer.

You are starting over in a new field. You need to pay your dues.

[UmmIbrahim]

It was a LOT easier for me to get an RN position as I already worked in the same hospital system as a PCT and was a PCT for 2 years WHILE in school...and I was casual though worked more part time or full time hours depending on my course work. My classmates who also were PCTs got jobs a LOT faster than classmates who did NOT work as a PCT or NA or even a helper during school. Seriously...keep it...do a few shifts a month... you'll be glad you did!

[UmmIbrahim]

I ditto the paying your dues thing...you can easily tell new Nurses who worked as PCTs from those who didnt...and Unit Directors do indeed look for that too! It takes less work to "break you in" to the unit routines...