Working in medical field while in nursing school??

MissKrys87 · Jul 8, 2015

I think getting a job within the medical field as a PCT would actually benefit you and give you the confidence you need. The job will most likely train you and have someone shadow you (or you shadow them) before you're on your own, even with your 1st semester of school completed as a NS. I think this could really help you develop that skill you have, but are shy to demonstrate. Also, it will give you an idea of what it's like to be on the floor with other nurses. A job opportunity could present itself to you after your graduation if you're in a department you want to stay in as a nurse. Overall, I feel it's a great move, personally. Sometimes you have to put yourself out there to grow and become more rounded in your skills :)

Good luck!!! You'll do great.

-Krys

Krystal C. ðŸ’‰ðŸ’•

mirandaaa · Jul 8, 2015

Even as a PCT, you really aren't going to be doing much that would seriously harm someone. Your duties would include toileting, changing, repositioning, answering call lights, taking vitals, charting, and some places will allow the removal of IVs and catheters. All of these things you would learn in training way before ever being sent out on your own.

It sounds scary, but it's definitely okay. It's a great learning experience and people with these kinds of experiences prior to graduating nursing school will be very beneficial when you start looking for your first nursing job.

It's normal to be scared and nervous, but this opportunity can only benefit you.

BecomingNursey · Jul 8, 2015

OP, do it. It really sounds like you're having a rough time in clinicals and such because you are lacking confidence! Jump on that PCT job and rock it. Walk into that patients room with your shoulders back and standing up straight. With confidence. You can do it!

I was still on orientation, learning from my amazing preceptor. One day during our orientation period I had a patient who was a very hard stick (dialysis patient) and my preceptor said; "Alright. Time to prove yourself. Go in there and go for it. Do your best. Stick once. If you don't get it, come get me and I'll try."

So, I was scared. I wanted to puke. But I held myself straight, walked through that patients door with confidence and a smile and said; "Hi. My name is Ashley. I will be your nurse today. I'm going to see what I can do about getting an IV started." The patient smiled and said; "Well you walked in here like you know what you're doing so hopefully it'll be one stick and done."

Guess what?!? I nailed that IV! On the first stick!!!!! Why? Because I went in with confidence. I was a tech for 2 years while in nursing school and had built up my confidence working with patients.

After I stuck the patient and got it, the patient asked me how long I'd been a nurse. When I told the patient that I'd just graduated and had been practicing as a nurse for 2 weeks, the patient was floored! The patient said; "I really thought you'd been a nurse a lot longer than that."

You can do it! Take that job, build your confidence, excel in clinicals, take every opportunity you can during clinicals to perform a skill!

Is it normal to be nervous about transitioning to your "career" and "adulthood"? Abso-freaking-lutely! I was scared to death after passing boards and realizing...holy crap. I'm a nurse. I'm going to be responsible for people's LIVES! It's a gut-wrenching, awesomely scary responsibility.

Moral of the story, don't hold yourself back from doing what you want to do because of fear or self doubt. Go for it and do your best. One day you'll look back with regret if you don't go for what you want. But if you go for what you want and fail you'll only look back and say; "At least I learned that's not what I really wanted."

Good luck OP. Keep us updated!

level1 · Jul 8, 2015

I think it's normal to be slightly nervous. Yes, you will have someone's life in your hands so to speak, but hopefully you were trained well in school and have good coworkers to help you out in times of need. I am a little bit OCD and worry how I will be with passing out meds. I like to double check a lot and I hope my worries won't become exacerbated when I'm working as an RN. I'd like to say that your anxiety should quiet down after a few more clinicals and if it doesn't maybe you should consider talking with someone.

Good luck

oliviaapNS · Jul 9, 2015

OP, do it. It really sounds like you're having a rough time in clinicals and such because you are lacking confidence! Jump on that PCT job and rock it. Walk into that patients room with your shoulders back and standing up straight. With confidence. You can do it!
I was still on orientation, learning from my amazing preceptor. One day during our orientation period I had a patient who was a very hard stick (dialysis patient) and my preceptor said; "Alright. Time to prove yourself. Go in there and go for it. Do your best. Stick once. If you don't get it, come get me and I'll try."
So, I was scared. I wanted to puke. But I held myself straight, walked through that patients door with confidence and a smile and said; "Hi. My name is Ashley. I will be your nurse today. I'm going to see what I can do about getting an IV started." The patient smiled and said; "Well you walked in here like you know what you're doing so hopefully it'll be one stick and done."
Guess what?!? I nailed that IV! On the first stick!!!!! Why? Because I went in with confidence. I was a tech for 2 years while in nursing school and had built up my confidence working with patients.
After I stuck the patient and got it, the patient asked me how long I'd been a nurse. When I told the patient that I'd just graduated and had been practicing as a nurse for 2 weeks, the patient was floored! The patient said; "I really thought you'd been a nurse a lot longer than that."
You can do it! Take that job, build your confidence, excel in clinicals, take every opportunity you can during clinicals to perform a skill!
Is it normal to be nervous about transitioning to your "career" and "adulthood"? Abso-freaking-lutely! I was scared to death after passing boards and realizing...holy crap. I'm a nurse. I'm going to be responsible for people's LIVES! It's a gut-wrenching, awesomely scary responsibility.
Moral of the story, don't hold yourself back from doing what you want to do because of fear or self doubt. Go for it and do your best. One day you'll look back with regret if you don't go for what you want. But if you go for what you want and fail you'll only look back and say; "At least I learned that's not what I really wanted."
Good luck OP. Keep us updated!

Thank you so much for your advice! You are right, I am lacking confidence. Especially with all my classmates around me who always seem so confident, it makes me second guess myself. I have decided I am going to apply as soon as I get my class schedule. Hopefully it will help make me feel more comfortable with the patients and help me to become a better student nurse :)

BecomingNursey · Jul 9, 2015

Thank you so much for your advice! You are right, I am lacking confidence. Especially with all my classmates around me who always seem so confident, it makes me second guess myself. I have decided I am going to apply as soon as I get my class schedule. Hopefully it will help make me feel more comfortable with the patients and help me to become a better student nurse :)

Good for you! And if you ever need any help with something or just need to vent feel free to PM me. I'm a good listener. :)