So I'm a STNA now, what's next?

[Michele l'Arcangelo]

Alright, about one year ago this month, I made a thread about how I got my GED, how high school was a waste of time, and what my plan was for my future.

In one year, I've taken one small step that can start me off. I took my 2 week, 75 hour class, and finished my two days of clinicals a few days ago.

During those clinicals (at a nursing home of course), I've learned the real world version of what I learned in those classes... and I asked myself, "do I really want to do this for two years?"

a) Do I really want to give baths, change clothes, and wipe old people's poopy butts for two years? No... but it pays. And I got to do what I got to do, right? Of course I've got to start out in the trenches and work my way up the ladder.

b) Or, I can go on a limb and apply to a hospital where my brother works as a STNA. (He had experience and a hookup to get there... I'm fresh out of my class with no experience... it'll be a longshot)

c) My other option is to continue working at my current job to make money to pay for Phlebotomy classes (and maybe also pay for more classes in Basic Life Support to make myself more marketable)... THEN EASILY get into a hospital as a phlebotomist... without needing my brother to put a word in for me. The catch is that's another several hundred dollars (from my pocket, not parents), another 6 months, a couple more quarters being missed in college.

I'm leaning mostly to 'c', but only because I'm freaked out by my responsibilities in 'a'.

If I can get over them, I'd go with 'a' then take classes in 'c' anyway.

I'd love to go with 'b', but I'm scared that IF I do get hired, I'd let them and my brother down, because I have no experience, and I might screw up.

-----

Anyone have experience in the healthcare field or know what I'm talking about at all? Could anyone give me some advice?

 

[Michele l'Arcangelo]

...bump.

 

[Michele l'Arcangelo]

x2.

 

[Michele l'Arcangelo]

x3.

wtf. you all keep replying to threads that could have been answered by using the search function.

 

[The Bat]

I see that your better-than-everyone, entitlement-to-everything attitude hasn't changed in a year...

Anyway, suck it up kid and do a) so you have money to pay for classes in c). In healthcare, experience does matter because hospitals/clinics don't want somebody who doesn't know what they are doing. You become a liability to them, and they'd rather not have that.

If you continue doing a), you'll build up valuable experience that you can use to your advantage when you take classes in c), and subsequently thereafter when you get a phlebotomy job. Not to mention you'll impress your phlebotomy instructor(s) with your experience in STNA, and you never know, that instructor might have a hook up somewhere (they almost always do) that you can get in with.

Networking is key here. The more people you know, more opportunities you have. Just like your networking with your brother. Don't leave him out of the picture either because he might be able to hook you up with a high paying job after you complete classes in c).

Like I said before, don't feel that you are entitled to a better job or higher pay just because. You have to work for those things. You are out in the real world now, boy. Nobody is going to spoon feed you a paycheck and a clean relaxing job.

 

[Michele l'Arcangelo]

I don't remember ever talking about wanting things I don't deserve. I'm from an Asian family. I grew up being told that hard work is the road to success. I knew my parents couldn't afford to pay for my college.

I don't remember saying I'm entitled to things JUST because. And, I don't believe people will pay me "good" money as a STNA even though I'm not doing the responsibilities of a STNA.

Either way, I appreciate the advice. Networking will be VERY easy for me fortunately. Being Filipino, RNs and MDs are close family friends.

What's awesome about healthcare, I'm told... there's nowhere to go but 'up'.

-----

Are you in healthcare? I'm just interested in what you know about it all...