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I would like to apply for a job that is related to my field before I get into the nursing program and while I'm in the nursing program. I have my CPR certification and I had a experience in a hospital and nursing home setting in the year of 2009, Health Occupations class senior year. What are some jobs that I can have to get in the entry level towards the nursing field as a student? Thank you for your response

:yes:

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I'd get a job as a nursing assistant on the unit you want to work on. Frequently, nursing assistants are offered jobs after they graduate.

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Thank you for the response

I was thinking about being a nursing assistant but I really do not want to be a CNA. I was thinking about PCT instead. So far I have put in applications as a Patient sitter and patient transporter at the hospital. I appreciate your response.

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What area of nursing do you want to go into? In my experience, Clinical Tech's only work in the ICU's. Around here, most CT's start as PCNA's and after a year and enrollment in nursing school they apply internally to CT positions. OR after completing a year of nursing school they apply externally to a CT job and get it.

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Thank you for the information. The area of nursing I would like to work in is the Recovery Room as the PACU after surgery. My options are still open towards specialty. My other areas I was looking into are physical therapy and pediatrics.

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Specializes in Neurosurgery, Neurology.
Thank you for the response

I was thinking about being a nursing assistant but I really do not want to be a CNA. I was thinking about PCT instead. So far I have put in applications as a Patient sitter and patient transporter at the hospital. I appreciate your response.

What stage are you at in your education?

I think that it would be helpful to at least have the CNA certification if you are able to take the course (doesn't take long, a semester, if that) even though you don't want to work as a CNA. PCT jobs often ask for CNA certification/program completion if they don't outright ask for PCT certification/program completion.

You could also considering completing an EMT-Basic course (this is also a semester or summer-long program) and working as an EMT-B. May be a little more difficult to schedule while in nursing school, but it could be possible (a classmate of mine is an EMT).

I think that being a patient transporter or sitter are good to start, but if you want the best type of pre-nursing experience, then PCT (where, in addition to doing all the CNA tasks (vital signs, assisting with ADLs, etc), depending on the facility, you can also draw blood, do EKGs, finger sticks for blood glucose, etc) or EMT-B would be much better.

To be perfectly honest, I don't think I could tolerate being a sitter as a consistent job. At my last job, as a PCA, if there weren't any sitters/companions for patients that needed it, we'd end up having to sit with the patient. Sometimes it was okay, and you could even bring some flash cards and do some studying if the type of patient allowed for that. But often, you would be running up and down the hall with the patient, trying to stop them from leaving, trying to keep them in bed while they constantly want to jump out (meanwhile they can't stand or walk), etc. It is often a lot, and for very little money. I have a ton of respect for sitters/companions, I simply could not do that as my consistent job.

So, I'd highly suggest you complete the CNA and/or PCA/PCT class and certification, as this will help you in getting a tech job. The requirements for hospital jobs like these often vary depending on the facility, so look at the websites of your area hospitals to see what those requirements are. That can guide you in any training you need to complete.

Hope that helps!

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Thank you for your answer.

The stage I'm in for my education is the process of completing my pre-reqs. I'm taking the last 3 classes which are communication between cultures, Library research online and General Microbiology. I'm obtaining my associate in nursing.

I always thought having a CNA would be good for experience before getting into the program. But I thought it would be other experience that would also be good beside CNA. By it being certification it makes sense.

Another thing, I keep hearing bad things about being a CNA but I shouldn't let that detoriate my career.

I will look into it.

Thank you.

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CNA work is the most basic foundation of nursing work, so you might want to reconsider your thoughts about NOT pursuing it. You asked what some entry level jobs were that might benefit you in your future nursing career...and this is a no-brainer.

That said, I do understand why you might not want to do it as an actual job; bear in mind that other options within the hospital at that same level (whether called CNA--with certification or PCT---without certification) frequently require the same skill set. As an example, a hospital I used to work for did not hire "transporters", they hired PCTS/CNAs. They did not hire "sitters", they hired PCTs/CNAs. And used these employees all over the place, as needed.

If you are looking for a NON-clinical entry-level hospital job, you might look at Unit Clerk. These are the secretary/clerks for the units, and work their butts off at the desk. No patient care (so no opportunity for direct care experience) BUT at least you get to see how the hospital works on the paperwork side of things.

Good luck!

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Thank you for your response.

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