Will I be at a disadvantage?

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by ThePrincessBride, BSN, RN
  3,736 Views   23 Comments

  1. So I am a sitter at a hospital. I have been working there for almost seven months. I am a good employee and have never had to call in sick. I have been trying for an SNA job since October without any luck. All of my classmates have been getting PCA and SNA jobs, and all I have is a measley job sitting, watching patients. After applying to twenty positions, I am starting to apply elsewhere, but I have a feeling I won't get a PCA / SNA job.Will I be at a massive disadvantage for an RN job? Did you work as a PCA / SNA ? If not, did you have a hard time finding a job upon graduation?I'm just really upset and feel like if I can't get a PCA or SNA job, I won't get a job as a nurse.
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  2. 23 Comments

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  3. by BostonTerrierLoverRN
    Mar 27, '12
    Just the fact that your friend's are getting jobs as PCTs/Assistants will help you. It's networking. Just stay up to date, and let them know you are eagerly looking for assistant work.

    And, at least you are in the healthcare mix already, though it may not be the "clinical" experience you crave for a job that will lead to a Staff Nurse. At least you will have healthcare experience to put down on your first nursing resume.

    Keep up the Job search. Make sure you keep all your applications "active," and always apply to jobs with a resume, cover letter, and transcript! Good Luck!
  4. by Bortaz, RN
    Mar 27, '12
    Quote from ThePrincessBride
    Did you work as a PCA / SNA ?
    No

    Quote from ThePrincessBride
    If not, did you have a hard time finding a job upon graduation?
    No

    It's inconceivable that they aren't hiring you!
  5. by brainkandy87
    Mar 27, '12
    The only thing you need to worry about when finding a job as an RN is making sure you aren't competing for the job with any Sicilians, because you never want to go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.

    I never worked as a tech or an aide or a pirate before or during nursing school and I had no problem finding a job. Like BoTeLo said, just make sure you network.
  6. by Bortaz, RN
    Mar 27, '12
    Quote from brainkandy87
    The only thing you need to worry about when finding a job as an RN is making sure you aren't competing for the job with any Sicilians, because you never want to go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.
    LOL.


    Watch someone be offended for the Sicilians.
  7. by netglow
    Mar 27, '12
    Yup, there's gonna be some fodder for the Mockery thread...
  8. by 0402
    Mar 27, '12
    I did not work as a CNA/tech/sitter/ anything in the medical field.

    I had no problem finding a job as a new grad.

    Anybody want a peanut?
  9. by classicdame
    Mar 27, '12
    Did not see this when first posted as I have been mostly dead all day. However, I do not think the others have an advantage over you. Working anywhere in a hospital gives you some experience, though you may not yet realize it. Good luck.
  10. by BostonTerrierLoverRN
    Mar 27, '12
    What kind of peanut?
  11. by Bortaz, RN
    Mar 27, '12
    Quote from BostonTerrierLoverRN
    What kind of peanut?
    Inigo Montoya: That Vizzini, he can *fuss*.
    Fezzik: Fuss, fuss... I think he like to scream at *us*.
    Inigo Montoya: Probably he means no *harm*.
    Fezzik: He's really very short on *charm*.
    Inigo Montoya: You have a great gift for rhyme.
    Fezzik: Yes, yes, some of the time.
    Vizzini: Enough of that.
    Inigo Montoya: Fezzik, are there rocks ahead?
    Fezzik: If there are, we all be dead.
    Vizzini: No more rhymes now, I mean it.
    Fezzik: Anybody want a peanut?
    Vizzini: DYEEAAHHHHHH.
  12. by classicdame
    Mar 27, '12
    sorry to get off the topic, but The Princess Bride is STILL one of my favs. Now I watch it with my granddaughter. True love--------
  13. by Meriwhen
    Mar 27, '12
    I didn't work as a PCT in school and I was able to get a job. Maybe not as quickly as those classmates who were working, but I had one within 3 months of graduation.

    OP: being a PCT/CNA would give you more hands-on experience, but the fact that you are working in a facility period is something...you are already in their system and would be an internal candidate, and it is a chance to network. If you want a PCT job, by all means look for one, but don't think you're doomed to failure if you don't get one.
  14. by applewhitern
    Mar 27, '12
    Found a peanut, found a peanut, found a peanut just now..... I never worked in a hospital or any type of medical setting. I just obtained my RN and got a job. I did feel like I had a disadvantage during clinicals, because all the other students worked as nursing assistants, unit clerks, etc., and knew their way around a hospital. My school "forbid" us to work until we had at least one semester of clinicals out of the way, cause we had so much studying, etc., to do, but most of the students had to work to have some money coming in. There I was, new grad, suddenly charge nurse of a 44 bed telemetry unit, and no experience whatsoever. 5 days orientation! Thank God it was night shift, and I had 3 seasoned LPN'S to lean on!

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