When you were in school....

[3babygirls]

Anyone work as a nurse assistant while in nursing school? I've been in school for the last year and turned in my application to start nursing school in the fall. I think (hope) my chances are pretty good; I should know something within the next month or so!

Through this process, I went ahead and took a LTC/HHA course which I'm about to finish up and test for my CNA license. A friend of mine suggested to me that I might look into a part time tech job at the hospital for some practical experience. I noticed that our local hospital had a few part time tech positions open so I applied just to see, never really thinking I'd get the job as I'm not quite done with my CNA class... well... surpise! Long story short, I got two calls back, two interviews, and accepted a position in the ER! They know that I'm not done with my class, and that I have absolutely no experience, but I'm still a bit nervous that maybe I bit off more than I can chew? I realize that its going to be hard work, and I'm certainly not afraid of that, or of the more undesireable tasks I'll be doing... I'm nervous about my lack of experience and being more of a burden than a help, if that makes any sense. It's so hard going into anything new and feeling inept!

Can anyone share with me how working as an assistant helped you in school and maybe give me some tips on what makes for a good tech in the ER?

Thanks!

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

Congrats on the job! That's fantastic news.

Don't worry about your lack of experience...you have to start somewhere, right? No matter what you do in life, you start off as a *newbie*. Be willing to work, ask questions, and really take in what's going on around you, and you'll do fine.

I was a CNA for 2 years before nursing school, and then all the time I was in school, and I think it helped immensely. Just having the opportunity to get comfortable interacting with patients will be a definite benefit for you in the long run.

[juliaann]

Oh, the ER is super fun! Back when I was working as a CNA, I often floated to the ER.

You're going to have to be confident, but a lot of that will come with experience. I'm sure you'll have a preceptor/orientation phase, so take adavantage of it and ask tons of questions.

Have fun!!!

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

I worked as a CNA in the summers and at holiday breaks. Because I was low man on the totem pole I got pulled all over the hospital.Which was great, because I got to see and do a lot of different things. I got a good look at what nurses really do. None of my fellow students worked as CNAs--we had been discouraged from doing this. But I learn best hands-on so it was perfect for me. It taught me confidence and gave me a leg up in clinicals. By the time I graduated(2nd in my class, btw) I was pretty well prepared to take a full patient load.

I think you can do it if you limit yourself to strictly part-time. If you find that work is interfering with school, you might even want to cut back to PRN(as needed) for a bit until you catch up. Good luck!

[LoveMyDaughters]

I think working as a tech while in school is a great idea! All of our professors have highly recommended that we get jobs as techs while in school, even if it's only a few hours a week. The experience that you get will help you a lot with being comfortable with patients. Another great perk is that you will already be employed somewhere when you graduate (if you remain there!) hopefully making it easier to secure a position as a nurse when you graduate. Good luck!

[nursebelle1386]

Take this opportunity and run with it! These types of opportunities are rare these days!

[csiyaoe]

I've been an ER tech for 5 years, and it helped me make the desision to go back to school to become an RN. I love it, and now that I'm taking my pre classes, the nurses really help me understand and learn A&P.

I was lucky to get the position because they were trying to get rid of ER techs but the nurses demanded to have ER techs and here i am.

For nursing school you get to see alot of what nurses learn in school, and will help during skill training like puting in a catheter, ng tubes, and alot of neat stuff. good luck and have fun!!!

[guest2210]

I went to a private LPN school and were not permitted to work during the first trimester. In the 2nd trimester we could work at our training hospital but not beyond our training in school at that time. I worked for 3 years as an NA-didn't need certification back then. It did help tremendously especially with clinicals and approaching the patients.