First off, I understand the job market is rough right now. However, we have at least 7 hospitals in the area where I live. Not to mention the smaller institutions. I plan to start nursing school this fall; I'm going for my ADN and then doing the bridge program to BSN. I have all of the ADN pre-reqs done, and almost all of the BSN out of the way. I'm trying desperately to get a PCT job. Some of the requirements ask for you to have your first clinical semester completed, so I don't mess with those. I'm applying for the few that say they will train you through their in-house PCT program. I even applied for a few unit secretary jobs out of desperation. I just want a part time weekend job to bring in some much needed money and to get some experience, and I usually apply for 3rd shift because I figured the competition wouldn't be so high. I have seen nurses with their BSN struggle to get jobs just because they have no medical work experience. On my resume, I put that I know medical terminology, finished all my pre-reqs and plan to start nursing school, and was an assistant manager at a drugstore and would tech in the pharmacy from time to time. It didn't help. I've even been able to get some employee references on the last few.

To add insult to injury, I can't even get a call back on VOLUNTEERING. I applied for a summer internsip at a local hospital, and the only requirement is that you are in college. I added to that resume that I'm on the President's list, and I have an employee reference from the unit I applied for. It's been two weeks... I'm not too hopeful.

Should I shell out $750 dollars to take a CNA course this summer when I will be done with my first semester of nursing just a few months later? There's no guarantee it will get me a job either. We can't spend that much unless it REALLY increases the chance of it resulting in a job. Would it make that big of a difference? I'm looking into getting my CPR license renewed also. What can I do to make myself appeal to medical recruiters? Am I just underqualified, even for the one's that say they'll train?

nope...sounds like you're overqualified. Why would they want to spend the time (money) to train you when you are not going to stay? And they probably realize that while going to nursing school, you wont have much time to work!

typically, these folks are more interested in actual nsg students...

versus those who intend to go to nsg school.

i have a feeling that either experienced aides are being hired, as well as nursing students.

me?

i wouldn't pay for a cna course.

many nurses would actually dispute the alleged advantage of cna experience after graduating.

keep your ears/eyes open.

chances are more opportunities will open up to you, once you start school and going to clinicals.

good luck.:)

leslie

No don't shell out any more $.

Sometimes hospitals do not want nursing students because they know they won't be able to have you work as much as they'd like if you are in school. Sometimes, it's because they like to staff that role with a certain "type". Lots of "typing" in healthcare whether ethnic or level of edu... Definitely is done agressively especially in the larger corporations. Think about who you see at your local Target or grocery store or McDonalds or Starbucks... see a certain "type" that goes together at each one? Well, that's how many hospital systems staff as well. They got a formula that works for them financially. I see this at two systems near me, not all though.

Sometimes volunteering can be only for the - eg in my area, starbucks mommies or the just retired with nothing to do set.

Yes, its all 'ed up. Sure is. But, now that you know you can stop trying to figure it out!! LOL. Best if you need to work, to work at some other outside healthcare job that you might fit your school hours around.

I know I will get a lot of heat saying this but as adn getting a bsn it has been tough finding a job. I started immediately after my adn program. I finally got a good job offer after a lot of hard work but I would advise gettting straight bsn and work and volunteer. I know bsn grads without jobs and adns too. But the bsns have better shot at an interview. Even the hospital I volunteered at for a year told me they could only hire bsns. I know it costs more among other things but you are giving yourself more trouble in the future. Try volunteering with red cross or public health they are great

I know I will get a lot of heat saying this but as adn getting a bsn it has been tough finding a job. I started immediately after my adn program. I finally got a good job offer after a lot of hard work but I would advise gettting straight bsn and work and volunteer. I know bsn grads without jobs and adns too. But the bsns have better shot at an interview. Even the hospital I volunteered at for a year told me they could only hire bsns. I know it costs more among other things but you are giving yourself more trouble in the future. Try volunteering with red cross or public health they are great

i think this is great advice...

about going straight for your bsn (if doable).

bsn nurses definitely have the upper hand in marketability.

and you can never go wrong with volunteering.

leslie

As my professor told me a few weeks ago, "Sometimes it's not what you know but who you know." My unit where I work as a tech will hire techs who are either in prereqs or in nursing school because they like to grow their own nurses. They even hired a tech a few weeks ago who will graduate in May. So it's not always the case that they don't want nursing students. I believe it's more about who you know.

I would advise calling HR to check on your application status and express your interest. If you know anyone already working, try to get a name of a manager whom you can contact directly. One of my friends got her first tech job by walking into the manager's office and asking for it. (That might not work for everyone, however; I could see some managers really being peeved by that.)

I would not take a CNA course. Just get a little more assertive in your search.

Good luck!

First off, I understand the job market is rough right now. However, we have at least 7 hospitals in the area where I live. Not to mention the smaller institutions. I plan to start nursing school this fall; I'm going for my ADN and then doing the bridge program to BSN. I have all of the ADN pre-reqs done, and almost all of the BSN out of the way. I'm trying desperately to get a PCT job. Some of the requirements ask for you to have your first clinical semester completed, so I don't mess with those. I'm applying for the few that say they will train you through their in-house PCT program. I even applied for a few unit secretary jobs out of desperation. I just want a part time weekend job to bring in some much needed money and to get some experience, and I usually apply for 3rd shift because I figured the competition wouldn't be so high. I have seen nurses with their BSN struggle to get jobs just because they have no medical work experience. On my resume, I put that I know medical terminology, finished all my pre-reqs and plan to start nursing school, and was an assistant manager at a drugstore and would tech in the pharmacy from time to time. It didn't help. I've even been able to get some employee references on the last few.

To add insult to injury, I can't even get a call back on VOLUNTEERING. I applied for a summer internsip at a local hospital, and the only requirement is that you are in college. I added to that resume that I'm on the President's list, and I have an employee reference from the unit I applied for. It's been two weeks... I'm not too hopeful.

Should I shell out $750 dollars to take a CNA course this summer when I will be done with my first semester of nursing just a few months later? There's no guarantee it will get me a job either. We can't spend that much unless it REALLY increases the chance of it resulting in a job. Would it make that big of a difference? I'm looking into getting my CPR license renewed also. What can I do to make myself appeal to medical recruiters? Am I just underqualified, even for the one's that say they'll train?

I can understand why a PCT job that comes with training would not want to hire you..you will not be there enough once you start school.

I suggest waiting into you are in school with clinical requirement being met...can you work somewhere else in the meantime for $ you need?

As far as volunteering , perhaps do as other posters have suggested look alittle harder..if this is what you want. I also agree if doable go straight for BSN especially since you have most of pre-req's done. Would probably even make more sense financially but definately more sense for working. Best of luck in your studies.

I can understand why a PCT job that comes with training would not want to hire you..you will not be there enough once you start school.

I got my tech job in my second semester of school. I work PRN, four to six times per month. Our PRN techs are required to work two shifts per month at least, and one of those days has to be a weekend. All hospitals vary in their policies, but it is doable to work while in school. And it's great experience.

I see everyone's point about going straight to BSN. I was trying to do the ADN first because I can get that at a much cheaper school. The four year university I have to go to for the BSN is alot more. I'm trying to knock out as much as I can at the Junior College. Plus, one hospital requires you to have your first clinical semester out of the way before they will hire you as a PCT. I still have another semester of pre-reqs for the bachelors...which means 5 more months of not having my clinicals under my belt. I know that this hospital likes hiring nursing students because they "grow their nurses," like Editor2RN said. I know several people that worked there after they got their first semester out of the way, so it seems the most promising. Every decision right now seems like a gamble. Thanks for the advice everyone!! I will definitely keep trying...and maybe I'll hear back about the internsip at least.

I got my tech job in my second semester of school. I work PRN, four to six times per month. Our PRN techs are required to work two shifts per month at least, and one of those days has to be a weekend. All hospitals vary in their policies, but it is doable to work while in school. And it's great experience.

I think you misunderstood me. I worked as a CNA all thru college after that first clinical and that got me where I wanted to be when I graduated. What I meant was a program that actually offered the training might prefer to train a person who was not going to attend nursing school..

I think any work you can get that gives you even the slightest experience is totally worth it.

I think you misunderstood me. I worked as a CNA all thru college after that first clinical and that got me where I wanted to be when I graduated. What I meant was a program that actually offered the training might prefer to train a person who was not going to attend nursing school..

I think any work you can get that gives you even the slightest experience is totally worth it.

Ah, gotcha. Yes, that makes sense.

I just graduated last semester and received my ADN. After we finished our 1st semester we all received a CNA certificate. Im not sure if this is done at all schools or not. I didn't even know about it til I got it. We were told that the 1st semester of RN school was equivalent to a CNA certif. So u may get it anyway.