What is the best starter job at a hospital?

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Specializes in I am a first year pre-nursing student..

I am a first year pre-nursing student. Now that Summer is coming and I have a little more free time I want to start a job at a hospital. I am not sure what the best job is to start at a hospital as a pre-nursing student. I am worried that I don't have much patient hours yet and want to start getting them as soon as possible before I apply to nursing school. I would appreciate your advice. 

5 Answers

Specializes in Oncology.

I got a part-time job as a PCT during my last year of nursing school. I worked on an inpatient oncology unit at a large hospital in my city, and then went on to do my residency on that same unit after graduation. The experience I gained as a PCT was incredibly valuable and made the transition to nurse SO much easier. I was already comfortable interacting with patients, taking vitals, giving baths, etc. The nurses on my unit were always very willing to teach me; even though I couldn't try many of the skills due to scope of practice limitations, seeing them repeatedly and learning different ways of doing them helped me catch on quick when the day came for me to try them myself. I would 100% recommend getting a job as a PCT/CNA if at all possible.

Specializes in 911 EMT currently in nursing school.

CNA is a quick cert and can gain you a TON of experience with pt. care and becoming comfortable interacting with people's bodies.  You will do vitals, change diapers, help people eat, help people ambulate, dress them, clean them - all sorts of good things. 

Since you are pre-nursing it will also help you get into a nursing program.  I got into my nursing program because I am both a CNA and an EMT, even though my GPA was 3.6.  There were many applicants with a 4.0 who did not get in because they had no medical experience.

Agree with EMTinHawaii - CNA is a quick cert (I have seen programs as short as six weeks), and you will get plenty of exposure.

Specializes in 911 EMT currently in nursing school.
SciGuy27 said:

Agree with EMTinHawaii - CNA is a quick cert (I have seen programs as short as six weeks), and you will get plenty of exposure.

Thats right, mine was 6 weeks, then skills testing with Prometric, the independent testing body that certifies CNAs in many states, including Hawaii.

Specializes in Public Health.

I know I'm a little late to the forum, but I just wanted to add my two cents. I definitely agree with everyone about being a CNA/PCT. I'm currently a float pool/per-diem night PCT, so I go where ever I'm needed. It exposes me to different environments and lets me interact with other nurses, doctors and patients. Sometimes I get to study during the nights depending on the unit.

It can get gross at times (emptying Foleys, cleaning up after patients, etc.), but it will really test you and help you decide if you want to continue with nursing. Also, if you're a PCT you may get trained to draw blood, do EKGs and test blood sugars which can help you for skill check-offs and clinicals during nursing school.

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