Which hospital job would be a better pick?

Published

Specializes in Telemetry.

I currently work in a hospital, in a totally non-clinical position. I'm starting nursing school in a couple of weeks, and I'm thinking I want to switch to a new job in my hospital that puts me closer to patients. I'm trying to figure out what direction I should go in. I want to go with whatever is going to help me get hired at the hospital as a nurse, and what will help me become a better nurse.

a) Become a unit secretary/monitor technician and float around to multiple departments, mostly telemetry, some med/surg, some OB, some ICU.

Positives: I'd get to experience multiple hospital units and meet some key people that will help me get hired on as a nurse when I graduate. I'd get to know the units I'd most likely be working on as a new grad nurse, since new grads here pretty much only go to med/surg or telemetry.

Negatives: Not actual patient care. Watching monitors is a little boring.

b) Become an ER tech. Only work in the ER.

Positives: Patient care, which is important! And I really like the ER.

Negatives: I wouldn't have the opportunity to work in other departments. I wouldn't get to know as many people. I also assume this would probably be a slightly more stressful position.. but maybe that's a good thing.

What would you do?

Neither of these positions are open right this second but something will come up eventually for them. I'm qualified for the unit sec/monitor tech right now and I'd be qualified for the ER tech in a few months.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych.

I would take the ER position. But I think that everyone in NS should have to work as an aide for 6 months or so prior to starting Ns.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ER tech. Patient care experience will help you more than clerical experience. Plus, you'll get to see a lot of different things in the ED that others students won't be able to experience.

Maybe, if you want to experience other departments, you can volunteer for like 2 hours a week?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nursing school is stressful enough, work as a monitor tech / unit secretary, It is less physically/emotionally demanding than working as an er tech and knowing rhythms and interacting with all the physicians/ordering systems/other depts as a secretary is invaluable experience for a nursing student. Working in a lot of areas will give you an advantage because you will know who's a good nurse manager, what floors have a good atmosphere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, CCU, SICU, MICU.

I'd say the ER position to get the patient care, but then, the float experience can be invaluable. I work as a CNA (some nurses let me do skills) in a float pool, and it REALLY helps be comfortable on the floor and just being around other RNs gives you experience (some positive, some negative). If you can get a hands-on patient care position with the float, I'd go for that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology.

I personally wouldn't change jobs when I was just starting nursing school. I would want to get used to the school and workload and whatnot before making any more stressful changes....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

ER tech. Get the hands on experiences.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ER. Think about how a future employer would look at ER over unit secretary if you are applying for an RN position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Also another point, meeting key people that will get you hired you said was one of your objectives. I think that you would have more luck showing one single unit how great you are and let your name travel through the hospital. I have seen it work time and time again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

From my opinion..I was able to work in the ER as a LPN where I worked at. I floated Med/Surg and ER. I really loved the ER experience, but some people i worked with did not. So if you maybe have a chance to do a little of everything to get the feel of what area you may like. As for me I did not enjoy Med/Surg very much but everyone has different taste..Good luck whatever you do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you want to work in the ER than take the ER position. You will get some experiences in the other departments during your clinical.

Taking either position will help you get a job when you are done with school Plus, depending on the facility they may pay for your schooling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room.

ER. If you already know you like it, get your foot in the door by working down there. ER is very stressful. I'm a new grad and have been in ER for 3 months. BUT LOVE IT! good luck to you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion