[Piglet68]

Hi All,

I wanted to pose a question to the group. What types of jobs are you doing while doing your pre-req work. I am looking to get out of the line of work I do now and get exposure in a hospital setting. Any suggestions on types of jobs in a hospital that do not require you to be a nurse?

Thanks everyone,

Piglet

[StarryNyte713]

Hello. I'm a Rehab (Physical Therapy) Aide at a hospital. It's giving me great exposure to hospital and patient care. My hospital also hires Nursing Assistants... From what I've heard, they don't need to be CNAs.

[spring05]

You could be a CNA. Or you could be a phlebotomist. I took phelbotomy classes this semester and I can't wait to get my certification so I can work at the hospital. Or you could take EMT classes. Which isn't a hospital setting but it would still be good a good experience.

[sweetsmuckers]

Hi there!

What I would suggest is either get your EMT or become a Sterile Processing technician. I am both. With being an EMT, it gives you hands on care to the patient in an emergency setting. And with Sterile Processing Tech, it exposes you to the world of Surgery. I get to watch surgeries, how they prep, and everything surgery. We do wash and decontaminate surgical equipments for them so they can use it for their next case. Its a fun job if you dont mind seeing guts and pieces......And either one will definitely get your foot in the door at the hospitals...GOOD LUCK!

[RN2B73]

Originally Posted by sweetsmuckers

Hi there!

What I would suggest is either get your EMT or become a Sterile Processing technician. I am both. With being an EMT, it gives you hands on care to the patient in an emergency setting. And with Sterile Processing Tech, it exposes you to the world of Surgery. I get to watch surgeries, how they prep, and everything surgery. We do wash and decontaminate surgical equipments for them so they can use it for their next case. Its a fun job if you dont mind seeing guts and pieces......And either one will definitely get your foot in the door at the hospitals...GOOD LUCK!

I've applied for numerous positions but haven't heard anything. I actually saw a position for a Sterile Processing Tech but it said they wanted experience, as did just about every other position I've seen. I apply anyway hopeing that I'll get lucky Now that everything is computerized and all apps are done online, any suggestions how to make yourself stand out from the crowd. I just feel like them finding me is like finding a needle in a haystack.

[hiddencat]

I've been sending my resume out to hospitals, but the economy is tough here. One of the big ones is on a hiring freeze. So I'm hanging in on unemployment right now :\

[sweetsmuckers]

RN2B73,

When I applied for my job as a sterile processing tech, I had no prior experience whatsoever except being an EMT. My interviewer, who was the boss, asked me the universal precautions and stuff...and being an EMT helped. And she also asked me why should she picked me...I forgot what I said but a few days later, I got hired. I know now a days, they want experience for everything but how do you get that if you don't get hired?

Well anyways, to make yourself stand-out, if you do get an interview, include any experience you have. They don't necessarily look at if you have any hospital experience but how you deal with people. It wqas just luck that when I applied for the SPT, they did not require experience yet but now that my hospital is getting bought by a bigger hospital here, everything has to have experience and certifications.

Anyway, good luck and if you do get an interview, stay calm and dress to impress...