Would being an SI (Supplemental Instruction) Tutor help me get a job?

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hello! My name is Cara and I'm going to be a senior this fall in my BSN program. I have been offered a job as an SI Tutor from my professor in a content-heavy med-surg class. I have a bit of a conflict with taking it due to my current schedule but may sacrifice a class now if the opportunity is truly worth it. Below, I will mention the requirements, benefits, and costs of the job.

What I'm asking is if you, as a nurse manager, would look at that short title of "Supplemental Instruction Tutor" in my resume with interest or simply glance over it and quickly move on.

Here are some details about the job:

Requirements

  • Must attend full class once a week (0800-1140)
  • Works together with another student to make 2-3 sessions a week that students in the class may attend to enhance class material (work split evenly, so each SI may work simply once a week)
  • Must have at least an A- in the class when enrolled

Benefits

  • The opportunity to sit in a very difficult class to enhance and solidify knowledge
  • Learn new things previously missed in class
  • Great opportunity to further enhance leadership skills
  • The chance to give back and help other students on their path to academic excellence
  • Flexible hours that are determined by my own schedule

Costs

  • Must cancel/replace one of my elective courses for one of my minors, as it conflicts with the 0800-1140 class time
  • Results in me having to take 17 units during my last semester to finish my minors if a replacement class is not available.

Thank you so much for any comments or words of advice. If there is anything else that you can think of that would help me become more marketable as a new-grad, I would appreciate it very much. I'm open to additional extra curricular activities, internships, etc., but wish to be strategic and efficient with my choices. (I have a passion for ED and ICU if that makes any difference)

Specializes in MedSurg, PACU, Maternal/Child Health.

Idk if a tutor job would be a big plus. Managers look for hands on experience. You can try CNA/Patient Care Tech that will work more in your favor in terms of getting a job. However if you are passionate about teaching take the tutor job just know it is not a pathway to a nursing job. If you make good connections with staff at your clinicals then it wouldnt matter much you didnt have hands on experience.

Dear Caramela, I was an SI leader for two years at my school. I would agree a little bit with estrellaCR, in that it is more important to have hands on care with patients for marketing yourself for a first job. That being said, you do have a leg up in that you were proactive in your studies, and that may make you marketable NOW to floor managers. I was called an SI Leader, my supervisor gave me a beautiful letter of recommendation that counts as an employment recommendation, and this shows you take initiative and have leadership skills. I would begin to network with other nurses, make it clear to floor managers that you want to work there, and get fantastic recommendation letters from clinical instructors every semester. Additionally, we had many paramedics that were in our program to get the RN, and they all had no problems finding jobs in ER's. ED was not for me, but for paramedics, they might be action junkies or used to the pace. Perhaps you might look into paramedic training/volunteering instead of the SI lead job. I hope this helps! (I graduated in '13 in Maryland). Good luck with your decision!

Thank you so much estrellaCR and erinadance. I'm currently looking into various volunteering experiences around the city to partake in. I will keep your comments in mind and deeply appreciate your input on the matter!

You are welcome caramela! I'm sure you will make a good decision about everything. Good luck on finishing school and finding work; it is really good that you are keeping the end goal in mind. Sometimes school gets so hectic, it's easy to forget all this effort is about finding a new career and landing the job!

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