Any Other Students Having Trouble Finding a Job

AragornSkywalker · Jan 9, 2009

Try on-campus stuff. Since you got into the nursing program, Im guessing you must be a pretty good student. Look at Tutoring/SI, they usually pay better than sales associate. Ive got an interview next week for a potential SI position, 11hrs/week @ 10$/hr isnt too shabby. I live on campus too so its pretty convenient.

VenaKavaRN · Jan 9, 2009

I've never had a callback when I applied for something online - I always have to actually go to the HR department and do it. I think you should absolutely call HR and ask to speak to a recruiter. Go prepared and make a good impression at that point - all the usual interview stuff.

As for your class schedule, most places usually have trouble finding people willing to work weekends - plus you get a higher shift differential. It sucks working weekends, but if you need the money its two whole days you can work.

anewday · Jan 9, 2009

bumping for more responses....

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2009

Just keep searching, don't give up ! What are you ? CNA ? PCT ?

ProudRN2B · Jan 9, 2009

I don't think walking into a hospital would be a bad thing. It can be very hard to find a job through online applications. When my husband was out of a job for a year, he would apply to several jobs a day and in a year only got about 5 or 6 call backs. One of the employers told him that with the applications online now, they get thousands of resumes a day. You literally have to be one of the first people to send it off because they will only look at the first 10 or so. When I am job hunting, I try to find an address and I send the app. online but I also follow it up and send my resume in the mail or fax. I have always had good results. Good luck!

future_RN_May09 · Jan 10, 2009

I was once in your boat. I'm in Ohio and it was very hard to get a call back from the local hospitals for PCT positions. Two things that worked for me was that one of my clinical instructors worked there as one of the Directors of the PCT program and I defintely called the HR department and asked to speak to a recruiter. I know its annoying, but keep beating the pavement. Have you thought about working in a LTC facility?

Good LUck on your search, don't give up, this is just one of the many road blocks placed in front of us as up and coming Future Nurses.

Serlait · Jan 10, 2009

I felt the exact same way when I was trying to get a job at the hospital. I sent in endless online applications, and received only a pre-printed postcard thanking me for my application. Our instructors had made arrangements for several local hospitals to come to class and share information about their hospital, why we'd want to work there as a nurse, benefits, etc. etc. When the group from the hospital I was interested in presented, at the end I made a bee line up to the front of the classroom and asked them what I needed to do to get a job. I got a business card from the head of HR, and went home that same afternoon and applied online for a Tech job, then emailed the lady from HR with a cover letter and resume, letting her know my online application had been submitted. I stressed that I was very interested in "learning the ropes" now so that when it came time to be a nurse, I'd know how to step right into a nursing job at that hospital. I got a phone interview next day, followed by an onsite interview, and was hired three days later...they had to check references....Pick a hospital you're really interested in, then go to their HR department and ask to speak with whoever hires Techs. Stress that you are a nursing student and show interest, enthusiasm and a commitment to the hospital or agency. Let them know that you'd like to hope that you could stay on as a nurse when you graduate. I love my job and my bosses are committed to keeping my hours manageable so I can become a nurse for them later. Hopefully, it will be a win-win all around.

Also, read the job ad really carefully and tailor your application to the needs detailed in the listing. When I was on the hiring end, I screened applications by whoever stated on the application that they had the skills needed. Because I used to work for a State Agency....(life before nursing school)...and had to justify any hire, if it wasn't on the application, I couldn't assume the person had the skill...even if it was on a resume. I had to use the skills listed on the application. So be sure your application details your strengths related to the job qualifications listed. Good Luck...keep trying and be persistant, enthusiastic, sincere. You can do it!!!

iRN86 · Jan 11, 2009

I'm pretty much in the same boat. i'm in NJ and its very frustrating. I'm going into my final semester in a week, but i just cant afford to be broke for another 15 weeks. atleast working every other wknd will do. plus now the reqiurements for most pct's require one to have cna/1-2yrs experience :banghead:

lilybean · Jan 11, 2009

Yes! My husband and I are currently living with my family so we can afford my schooling. I have a very-part time postition as an aide. I feel like I can't go on living with the fam anymore, so I have been looking for a different job that I can work in the evenings.....I dont care what it is...serving, factory-work, whatever! I am shocked at the complete lack of jobs available! There is NOTHING, and I live in a rapidly developing town.

future_RN_May09 · Jan 12, 2009

I've spoken to other nurses who had the same difficulties finding jobs during nursing school. B/C our hours of availability are so restricted. I know what you are going through, but before u know it, you'll be graduation.

cheesepuffs · Jan 30, 2009

I sort of planned ahead on mine.

For me, it took 1 year to finish my pre-reqs. And since it takes 1/2 year for it to put in the application til you find out if you got accepted for nursing, I decided to take a EMT-B course. (3 months) And since I want to specialize in Emergency, I decided to apply for emergency tech at a level 1 trauma center after getting certified. Being in the military helped. Applied and got accepted 1 month later. Few months later, I received a email stating that I got accepted to nursing program. Now I got a huge foot in the door, getting advise from other newer nurses from the same program, non advertised scholarships from the hospital and huge amount of experiences, etc. I had no financial aid and had to pay up 1500 in tuition up front but its paying dividends ten-folds. Remember... these programs usually have the same style of testing as the nursing programs. Such as there is 2 right answers to a question but you have to choose the "most correct one".

The best advise I could get you is to take a continuous education course in something to start working in the hospital setting right way. EMT-B, CNA, or Medical Assistant. (a semester or less) Once you get the certification and start working at a hospital...... especially a teaching hospital, they are usually they are really flexible on the hours, since they are open 24/7. Alot of students make a mistake of changing jobs or careers once they get accepted at the nursing students. And usually hospitals get flood of applications before medical programs start and after it ends. Try changing careers or jobs early, like when you are doing prereqs or waiting for the acceptance letter. Without certification, its alittle harder to get in to the hospitals.

It just all depend on your priorities. If you just started this spring, you have the summer wide open for classes. I believe you have to complete 2 semesters of nursing before you can work at a hopital as a CNA. Thats 1 year. Or you can knock out a CNA course during the summer and can start working as once within a 1/2 year. It might cost you a arm and a leg but "it just depends on ur priorities and how badly you want it." (my advisor told me that advise). Look to see what your hospital is looking for. If you go that route, then you will have at least 1/2 year more experience than students in your class.

Remember once the 2 semester mark hits for everyone in your nursing class and the same with nursing programs in your city...... everyone and their moms will apply for those limited jobs. Because not alot of people will fight for the nursing home jobs. Plus you will be alot more marketable with a certification (for pre-nursing/nursing students) and experience (for new nurses) when you look for a job.

I paid 1500 for tuition/books/uniforms. But what I got back in return is information that my hospital offers tuition reinbursements (up to 600 per semester) and scholarships where # of years they pay your school is # of years you have to work for them after school. So it does pay back in a few months