Which would be better for me in the long run? To work while in school or not...

sapadgett · Oct 22, 2012

Hi! I would advise you to find a part time job in the medical field. I just graduated from nursing school w/no recent healthcare experience and it is a handicap, for sure!
A tech job or nurses' aide job will allow you to network and hobnob w/ other healthcare personnel, and absorb types of learning that is not available in the classroom. Look at it like a paid clinical. After graduation you will have professional references as well. It is hard to juggle working and going to school. But I think that if you can handle it, it will be smart in the long run. Maybe try "per diem" and you can choose your schedule. I wish I had done that.
good luck!

Thank you...I think I'm going to look into it after my first semester so I can kind of get an idea of how many hours I can put into working in a week. It's such a hard trade off to make and I want to make the right decision that's going to benefit me for graduating school also. :/ Per diem would be a good idea.

sapadgett · Oct 22, 2012

I'm in the same boat as you, sapadgett. Just got accepted into an ADN program starting in January and I'm also worried about the job search after graduation. Thanks for posting.

YW! It's so hard to decide what would be the best thing to do! It's either sacrifice during school or potentially after with not finding a job. :/

abaloney77 · Oct 22, 2012

My teacher and the class were just discussing this the other day. I'm in the bay area and apparently you need at least a BA to get noticed when you send out your resumes.

She said some places were sweeping aside all ADN and BA degrees and going for Masters degrees.

I will definitely be looking for an easy job after this first semester is over.

jennaroo · Oct 22, 2012

I completely get where you are coming from.....I am a mom to 5 and will begin school in the Spring and I am scared to death that I will be passed over for a job because my experiece is nil...well really my resume' has next to nothing......I really cant work while in school as I am taking a full schedule and still have duties as a wife and mom.....so right now I volunteer at my local hospitals breast health clinic to gain some hospital exposure, and something to add to my resume.....my plan is to obtain a job in the medical feild my last year of school if possible then.....I am hoping this will help as well as maybe making good impressions during clinicals????

Oh haha, I should mention, I've been a devoted stay at home mommy for the last 13 years, thats why I really have nothing on my resume.

Bobmo88 · Oct 22, 2012

I would recommend that if you do decide that you want to work as a tech during school, try to start your job during a time when you don't have classes like the summer (if that's the case for your program) so you won't have to worry about your studies while getting used to your new job.

momtojosh · Oct 22, 2012

i emailed 3 local hospitals in the past 3 months asking if they hired RNs with an AAS....and all their responses were YES....i asked this cause I too was worried about getting a job after. one human resource even called me to let me know they did and if I ever had anymore questions please do not hesitate to call.....

one new grad just got offered a place in the OR....of course she took it..

so,they are out there,dont be afraid to call your local hospital and ask them,i did,and darn glad i did...they even took my name for the future

Feistn · Oct 23, 2012

I actually find I NEED something else to occupy my time to push me to study harder. I do better when I KNOW I only have an hour or two to study, and therefore need to make it count. I find I'm able to balance everything with 5 shifts a week.

I will second what everyone said about having experience and/or being an internal hire. Hospitals don't want to hire people they have to spend lots of time training. Not to mention, there are lots of learning opportunities on the job that you don't even realize you're getting. I know lots of nurses who "Just went to school" throughout their programs, and guess what? They had a pretty hard time finding a job when they graduated.

soxgirl2008 · Oct 23, 2012

I would suggest after 1st semester to see if you qualify for nurse intern positions. Around here they are very flexible. A lot of the student nurses only work 1 day a week.

It would be nice to only concentrate on school, but honestly in this economy what is going to help you the most is having a foot in the door. Around here the graduates I know who had an easiest time finding a job already worked at hospitals. I've heard hiring managers say they would rather have a new grad who had some kind of tech experience regardless of ADN or BSN. Getting your foot in the door is really one of the best things you can do. Yes, it's not guaranteed you'll get a job after graduation, but assuming you're a good employee I believe your chances are much better than someone with no healthcare experience.

sapadgett · Oct 23, 2012

Thank you all for all of your honest replies. I think what would be best for me is to look for a tech job (or something similar) after my first semester is over.

Bobmo88: I will have summers off with my program so that would be a great idea. If I can do it, I would love to just do a couple of days a week to get some experience and not interfere with my studies to much. I think some hospital experience would do me the most good.

Momtojosh: That's very encouraging! Thanks for sharing that.

FLmed · Oct 23, 2012

I would recommend that if you do decide that you want to work as a tech during school, try to start your job during a time when you don't have classes like the summer (if that's the case for your program) so you won't have to worry about your studies while getting used to your new job.

Agree with the above poster! :-). I would wait (since you don't have to work) until after your first year of nursing school. Starting in the summer is great advice. I had friends take on jobs in Adult 1 and their grades suffered. One didn't pass. Fundamentals of Nursing and Adult 1 are going to provide a solid foundation for knowledge. It would be great to be able to focus on just school and family and not have to juggle in a job too. Nursing school requires a tremendous amount of sacrifice and discipline, as I'm sure you already know. The studying is so exhausting. It's not only going to be hard on you, but it's also going to be hard on the kids and on the hubs. He will miss you. I saw 2 of my nursing friends go through divorces during the program. Throwing more on your plate can strain all of your relationships. Nursing school is very intense. It can't be compared to any other college experience. Getting a job as a tech can be a smart and strategic move and can provide a lot of benefits. I think you're smart for thinking about it, but I think if you can afford to wait until after Fundamentals and Adult 1-- that's what I would suggest.

sapadgett · Oct 23, 2012

Agree with the above poster! :-). I would wait (since you don't have to work) until after your first year of nursing school. Starting in the summer is great advice. I had friends take on jobs in Adult 1 and their grades suffered. One didn't pass. Fundamentals of Nursing and Adult 1 are going to provide a solid foundation for knowledge. It would be great to be able to focus on just school and family and not have to juggle in a job too. Nursing school requires a tremendous amount of sacrifice and discipline, as I'm sure you already know. The studying is so exhausting. It's not only going to be hard on you, but it's also going to be hard on the kids and on the hubs. He will miss you. I saw 2 of my nursing friends go through divorces during the program. Throwing more on your plate can strain all of your relationships. Nursing school is very intense. It can't be compared to any other college experience. Getting a job as a tech can be a smart and strategic move and can provide a lot of benefits. I think you're smart for thinking about it, but I think if you can afford to wait until after Fundamentals and Adult 1-- that's what I would suggest.

I'm really leaning towards waiting until I get a good foundation and feel "ok" with my study habits and such. My husband is not liking the idea of me working in school...but then again, he doesn't understand the job market for new grads in nursing. :/ I need to let him read some on here! Lol But overall it's sounding like finding a tech job is going to benefit me most, I just have to figure out when will be the best time to do it!