Working While In Nursing Program

Nursing Students General Students

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Hey guys,

I am currently a nursing student in the University of South Florida's BSN second degree nursing program. I am about to enter my second semester in the program and have started thinking about getting a job as a tech while in the program. I am already aware that I will not be able to do so for the second semester because of how much is going on but I'd like to hear from other people about their experience of working while in a full time nursing program. I'd like to become a tech hopefully by the third semester (the program is only 4 semester long so it's a very rigorous program).

Thanks!

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I will always advice one to get a tech job in a hospital, even if it means working for 30 minutes. The reasoning being that once u in the hospital system your chances of landing a job in a hospital increases dramatically compared to if u aren't a tech in a hospital. That is usually the norm. Now is it doable? Yes it is. I dd it the whole entire nursing school. Now the variables in ur life might be different from mine and that wld need u to carefully analyze ur scenario and decide. But please do land that job as a tech in a hospital

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Thanks for the advice!

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I will be in my first semester of lpn. I work three twelve hours and have two kids. One who just begin kindergarten this week. I want to remain fulltime. But not sure how. I will start working every sat and sunday I need another day which will be a night shift. But my classes are from 8 until 4 monday through friday. I was also thinking of two days 5p to 12mn but not sure my husband works from 530 until 430. I dont see how to do my work schedule. Can someone who has done it send me some much needed advise.

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Are there part-time and per diem positions in your area? During my first year, I worked every weekend and holiday as required by my old job. Before my second year, I got a per diem tech job on a med-surg floor. I love it because it's so flexible! I was able to accommodate ever-changing clinical hours, vacations, and finally, NCLEX studying.

Working while going to school full time isn't bad though. In fact, it'll probably help you to be around nurses often! Best of luck.

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Thank you! Yeah there are some tech positions at the hospital I have my clinicals at.

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I love the per diem option! The requirement is a minimum of 12 hours/month but I do more hours than that.

Get your foot in the door now & it'll help you in the long run as a new grad.

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How does the per diem work? Can you decide how much you want to work?

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How does the per diem work? Can you decide how much you want to work?

I think the requirements are different for every hospital so you'd want to ask HR or the nurse manager what they require before you sign on.

Where I work, I'm required to work at least 2 weekend shifts per month and that's all. However, I've worked anywhere from 0 to 40 hours per week. The pro is that if I want time off, I just make sure I don't schedule myself for a couple days or even 2 weeks. The con is that when the hospital is overstaffed that day, they will cancel my shift. It's good for flexibility and possibly bad if you need a steady, reliable income. But again, this depends on the facility and their expectations when they hire you.

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How does the per diem work? Can you decide how much you want to work?

I work a 12 hour/minimum per month. All I do is self schedule from the open shifts list. I can do anything from a 4 to a 12 hour shift depending on my schedule.

Unlike twiglette, they do not cancel my shift because my unit is always in need of PCTs. They would prefer to have one of their own come in than use the float pool.

I do not know how you hired as per diem from the get-go. I have been full time at my facility since May. At the end of August when school starts, that is when I switch to per diem.

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I work a med surgery floor as a pct been her for two yrs. Trying to get in a nursing program. So I decided to go the lpn route. But need to keep my benefits. Im hoping to go part time just weekends. Im not sure how this will go but I dont see how working an extra day to keep my fulltime status will be possible. I thought of doing one 8 hour but it would put a my family in a hold. Im just hoping by this time next week she will allow me to just go part time

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Specializes in Postpartum, Mother/Baby, Comm. Health, Geriatric.

Yes, getting into a hospital system will get your foot in the door to network (same as clinicals). You must always network no matter where/what your doing.

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