Working in the hospital before you get into clinicals?

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I have heard that a lot of hospitals will let you work even before you get into clincals but I was wondering if anyone had success getting hired and do you have any advice? I would like to get some experience beforehand.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Many places allow you to work as a nurse assistant, or patient care tech. It's a good way to get a heads up on being comfortable with patient care.

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hello !

I have heard about that too, I just don't know which hospital or where to apply at . I really hope to get somewhere also . Goodluck

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I start nursing school later on this month. When I was applying for positions last year, I didn't have any experience and my hospital trained me for free. A couple other nursing assistants I work with didn't have any prior experience either.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Iwent to LPN school instead of straight to RN school to make sure that was the right career for me. While in school, I got a job as a medical records clerk. I worked there for a year and believe it or not, that did help me in school, even if it wasn't on the floor and patient care related.

After the year was up, I decided to transfer to one of the busy med surg units that had an opening as a ward clerk. This was a great move for me, because the LPNs on the unit werevery nice to me, and after they found out I was in nursing school, they let me come with them on some of their rounds and observe dressing changes and other "hands on" type of things that I would be doing in clinicals and after graduation.

I also worked some as a CNA at times, and got a lot of experience at the bedside. After graduating from LPN school and passing state boards, I worked as an LPN while going back to finish prereqs for RN school. I do feel like the various positions I worked in did benefit me in the long run, and I feel like it helped to make me a better nurse.

Anne, RNC

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Thanks for your responses, there are two openings I applied for. One is a transcription clerk at one hospital the other is a Emergency room tech and my sister in law works in this hospital and is trying to get me on. I hope I get it.

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Well I had my scrub tech interview today and I learned some important things. They dont hire LPNs in labor and delivery at this hospital, I am not sure about other hospitals. And scrub techs make 13 an hour which is only 2 less than LPNs. I will have to go through training of course but I get paid 10 an hour for that until I am certified. Its really crappy hours but I think it will be worth it.

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Specializes in ICU, cardiac, SICU.

I definitely encourage working in a hospital prior to clinicals. It will help tremendously! Many hospitals will hire you as a nursing student even before clinicals. There are always long-term care facilities that would be willing to hire you nursing student or not. Any exposure to patient care you can get will definitely benefit you in the long run.

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I definitely encourage working in a hospital prior to clinicals. It will help tremendously! Many hospitals will hire you as a nursing student even before clinicals. There are always long-term care facilities that would be willing to hire you nursing student or not. Any exposure to patient care you can get will definitely benefit you in the long run.

Thats what I was thinking but its really hard to get hired here without having experience but how do they expect you to get it?? We have three big hospitals in town and 2 hire students but one is on a hiring freeze. I had the interview at the one that is actually hiring and they take students. I am so excited I really hope it get it.

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I am a Health Unit Cordinator (HUC) on the Cardiology,Med-Surg floor at a hospital. I get to see how everything works and since they know that I am going to nursing school, I get to follow some of the nurses sometimes. I have even been down to the cath/ep labs for some interesting procedures. I think it will help me in the long run for school because it will help put things into perspective. When I am done with my first semester of school, I can swith one shift a week as a CNA. I am so excited!

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Specializes in Oncology/Hematology.

I'm a SCEP employee at the V.A. which is "Student Career Experience Program". You work full time during the summer and then you can usually get your employment extended permanently and they work around your school schedule. I personally work one-on-one with nurses in the PACU/Recovery Room helping to recover patients from general and local anesthesia. No prior hospital experience except being a volunteer at a local hospital. I'm making almost $16/hour and getting one of the best experiences of my life! :)

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Wow, that sounds fun and exciting. One good thing about my job is I only have to work 3 shifts(12hrs each) week and it is self scheduling. So I can work it around my school.

So when are you or have you already started the nursing program?

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