Working while in school

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Hi! I really would love to work in a health related job while in school. I've heard from several people that it greatly increases your chance of getting a job once done with school (especially if you are applying post graduation to your current employer). What's the best way to go about this? Should I try to get my CNA now? I start school in Fall 2014. Will a nurse recruiter (or someone like that) come and talk to us about getting a tech job or something while we're in the program? I might not be asking the right questions but any help would be appreciated. FYI I live in Central Florida and I'll be going to Valencia. Thanks everyone!

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I am Valencia alumni from May of this year and I am still looking for a job. GET A TECH JOB! No one will come to speak with you about getting a tech position but, as an unemployed grad, I now know how important being a part of a hospital system is. Florida Hospital or Orlando Health..it doesn't matter. Get in and make as many connections as you can. Try to take your clincials in the same system you are working at. Almost all of the grads from my class that are working now were either promoted from techs to RNs at their place of employment or joined FL Hospital's GN program. Get a tech or sitter job..you wont regret it!!!

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How do we go about getting a tech job? Just apply?

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
How do we go about getting a tech job? Just apply?

After your first semester of nursing school you are eligible to apply for nursing assistant and nurse tech positions at either major hospital system.

If you would prefer to work in home health or SNF/LTC/etc then they require a CNA certification from the state (which means taking the classes and then applying for state certification, and I believe Valencia has a program).

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After you finish your first semester of nursing school you can start applying. Use your instructors as references if they will let you. Most of our professors have connections to the hospitals because of clinicals. You probably dont have a lot of extra cash laying around but if you can afford to take a basic EKG class I would recommend that too. You will cover EKG reading in nursing 4 but its not going to be very in depth and with the EKG certificate you might be able to find a monitor tech job if you are more into working on a tele floor or PCU. Sometimes techs can also rotate in as sitters. Which would be nice for when you get to nursing 4-6. I guess in the end I would say try Orlando Health over FL Hospital because FL Hospital makes everyone do the GN program and just because you are a tech does not mean you wont have to apply and compete with everyone else. Unless you speak a 2nd language or will finish school with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher FL Hospital's GN program is super competitive.

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I worked while in school and got married. Although I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, it is possible! If this is what you want to do I wouldn't wait for someone to come to talk to me about it. I would be proactive and get started now.

You have to be extremely organized and have great time management skills. I know alot of people who worked as CNA's while in school. Most people worked at night and on the weekends. I do believe this will give you an upper hand when you graduate as you will have experience in the healthcare field and you will already have built relationships with seasoned nurses and management. It is possible, but don't overload your plate!!!

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