Teching while in Nursing School?

jrkingRN · Sep 18, 2010

It is very true that having tech experience will help you get hired. Most hospitals will pay you more also. What you should do is call the Nurse Recruiter for the particular institution you would like to apply. Most hospitals offer a "student nurse tech" position, which they never put online. My hospital ALWAYS hires the students that have worked here before a new grad walking in the door.

maiday · Sep 18, 2010

I agree! I just recently got hired at the hospital I want to work at as a PCA-Student Nurse. Not many hospitals have that specifically, but CNA, Tech, PCA, anything to get your foot in the door. Everybody I have spoken to so far said they are ONLY hiring from within. If for some crazy reason they have extra spots after hiring from within (which is usually not the case) they will start looking at external candidates. The problem is you are then competing with like 500 or more people for 1 or 2 spots.

I graduate May 2011 and I just started this job last week. I highly recommend getting your foot in the door. If there is nothing online now just keep checking back and I advise applying for anything and everything.

caliotter3 · Sep 18, 2010

Go to Human Resources to apply at the hospital you want to work at. A good way to line up your first RN job.

diligent-trooper · Sep 18, 2010

In my experience, it has increased one's chances. With that being said, you will have to realize working while going to school could have an impact on your GPA, and ultimately acquiring the foundation in medical and clinical understanding. You could be at risk of failing the NCLEX examination too. Nursing is not just tasks to be completed. It is just not starting an IV, and infusing the ordered IV fluid. As a nurse, you are required to know why that specific fluid is being run, opposed to another. IF you don't know the why, you are at risk of harming the patient, and therefore at risk of losing your license. And, you can not use the excuse: "the physician ordered it, not me!" :nurse:

It requires one to make good decisions. Information is part of the decision making process. Some individuals believe that one can simply learn the decision making part on the job. Umm. NO! If that was true, I could have skipped going to nursing school and saved the cash. Do you believe that a lawyer or a Doctor could just learn on the job too? After all, they are only completing tasks. Umm, NO!

I have seen good students end up having to drop classes or take classes over, due to failing. Nursing School is no easy task to begin with, and then adding working on top of it, something has to give; unfortunately, many times it is the class work at the Nursing School. I am only speaking from my experience, but most students were putting in 20-30 hours a week. And, not surprising they were "terrors" to work with sometimes. In addition, all of these student had issues in some area, with their nursing school experience that I have already covered. I am sure others will disagree, but that is just my :twocents:

mandileanne · Sep 18, 2010

Thanks for all of your replies! Great information! I'm so glad I posted.

And, yes I am worried about my grades suffering... However, I am not married and do not have kids. I think a part-time or prn position would be okay for me to handle. (hopefully) I see many students who have a family and a job AND are going to nursing school! A friend of mine works every other weekend at a hospital...maybe, i could find something like that....

Well, Thanks so much for the feedback!

UDM2010 · Sep 18, 2010

Working as a tech is great experience but I do agree with not letting work interfere with your school work. In the program I graduated from during the summers we had to do co-op pt & ft. During the school year I worked contingent (1 sat, 1 sun & 1 other day/ month). That way work never got in the way of my studies because I made my own schedule.

PatMac10,RN, RN · Sep 19, 2010

I've heard the same thing many times. I have also seen it in action many times as well. So hopefully, if all goes well, it will work out the same way for you. :)

MJB2010 · Sep 19, 2010

Do it! I worked Per Diem as a tech and I floated, which at first I hated, but I definately recommend it! By floating you get to see and interact with every floor and you learn a LOT! I also got to see what type of floor I would like to work on and which floors I hate.I got to network and meet all the staff on each floor. I 100% recommend working as a tech, and networking as much as possible. Do your best, work hard, and make some connections. The nurses will be able to write you a great reference or help you get a job once you graduate!! It will also make clinical a breeze.

If you have an idea what type of nurse you would like to be, try to get a tech job in that area. It really will help you get a job after school. Externships are also helpful!

ExPharmaGirl, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2010

In my experience, it has increased one's chances. With that being said, you will have to realize working while going to school could have an impact on your GPA, and ultimately acquiring the foundation in medical and clinical understanding. You could be at risk of failing the NCLEX examination too. Nursing is not just tasks to be completed. It is just not starting an IV, and infusing the ordered IV fluid. As a nurse, you are required to know why that specific fluid is being run, opposed to another. IF you don't know the why, you are at risk of harming the patient, and therefore at risk of losing your license. And, you can not use the excuse: "the physician ordered it, not me!"
It requires one to make good decisions. Information is part of the decision making process. Some individuals believe that one can simply learn the decision making part on the job. Umm. NO! If that was true, I could have skipped going to nursing school and saved the cash. Do you believe that a lawyer or a Doctor could just learn on the job too? After all, they are only completing tasks. Umm, NO!
I have seen good students end up having to drop classes or take classes over, due to failing. Nursing School is no easy task to begin with, and then adding working on top of it, something has to give; unfortunately, many times it is the class work at the Nursing School. I am only speaking from my experience, but most students were putting in 20-30 hours a week. And, not surprising they were "terrors" to work with sometimes. In addition, all of these student had issues in some area, with their nursing school experience that I have already covered. I am sure others will disagree, but that is just my

I work, I'm in nursing school, I have a 4.0, and I'm doing just fine. Yes it's hard, but either you can think critically or you can't and you get it or you don't.

Some of us don't have the luxury of choosing whether or not we want to work.

diligent-trooper · Sep 19, 2010

Congrats on the 4.0. But, I entered my Nursing School starting with 60 classmates, and on graduation day there were only 31. Highest GPA in the class was 3.65, which went to my friend. Only 4 others received low Honors. That is my story! :smokin: :yeah: NCLEX pass rate for our school: 92-98%.

grannyrn65 · Sep 19, 2010

I agree that balancingworking as a tech and being a student is very demanding. It takes a degree of knowing how to set your piorities and maintaining your grades. It is not an easy task. I worked full time as a LPN, while attending a two year program. My professors were aware of my schedule and I found that I was assigned more difficult patients because of my previous experience. By the time of my final semester, I had to ask for a grant because if was so tired. The reason for needing the grant was I was the sole support of my toddler daughter. By graduation, I had to take twoweeks off and do nothing but sleep. I don't suggest that anyone follow my path. One needs to think about the demands on their time.

grannyrn65