Pre-nursing/Nursing student jobs

U.S.A. Massachusetts

Published

Specializes in Psych; Med/Surg.

Hey everyone!! I haven't seen any recent boards on looking, applying, or getting a job in a hospital. I myself have been looking to become a Unit Aide, Unit Secretary, or a Unit Coordinator at any hospital that is willing to take me. The problem lies in their job descriptions: they clearly state all you need is a high school diploma to be hired, yet they seem to only go for those with experience or to hire those who have 'people working on the inside'.

If anyone out there has some advice on how to get a hospital job or how to even get an interview it will be greatly appreciated. I hope this post will not only help me, but help all of you out there as well :D

MGH has these positions called "Operations Associate" that I wish I could go for to get more experience but I can't afford to take a pay cut (I'm current;y employed by Partners Healthcare but on the corporate side).... Anyways search for Operations Associate on the partners website. Good Luck!

I thought I posted a reply... so if there ends up being two on here...sorry!

Search at MGH for "Operations Associate" (there are a few, some are even 'normal' hours). I wish I could go for this position but really can't afford a pay cut right now.

Good Luck!

Specializes in Psych; Med/Surg.

You didn't post twice I just had the same thread on two different forums to try to gather a lot of info xD. Thanks for the advice I'll definitely look into that :D

You could also try Cardiac Monitor tech. Some hospitals give you the classes you need and train you for that job. All you do is read EKGs but you get to exp the hospital settings and people :)

Hi there. I am currently a Unit Secretary and had no medical experience. I also did not know ANYONE in the hospital. I literally applied to everything I could and finally had an interview. The interview was actually for a Unit Assistant position, but it went to someone else. However, things went so well in the interview, they called me 1-2 months later with the secretary position. I think being a nursing student helped tremendously. Just keep applying, applying, applying and call HR to let them know you are extremely interested!

Specializes in Psych; Med/Surg.

Thank you Celeste and Lilkuz!!

I've been applying to many places all over the place and I also have no experience either, but I've taken Medical Terminology and I am in the middle of applying to schools. I have been interviewed by two Boston area hospitals (one of them twice) and still nothing. It just seems like no one wants to hire anyone unless they are fully qualified or have had a lot of experience. I never stop applying and keep trying, but it just gets a bit frustrating.

Again your input does really help and I hope it helps others currently reading this message board :)

Hi there. I am currently a Unit Secretary and had no medical experience. I also did not know ANYONE in the hospital. I literally applied to everything I could and finally had an interview. The interview was actually for a Unit Assistant position, but it went to someone else. However, things went so well in the interview, they called me 1-2 months later with the secretary position. I think being a nursing student helped tremendously. Just keep applying, applying, applying and call HR to let them know you are extremely interested!

--- After submitting an application, I know it's good to do a follow-up a week or so if they haven't contacted you. But what do you say? Especially if you know that you don't really have experience and you just want to gain some.

Thank you Celeste and Lilkuz!!

I've been applying to many places all over the place and I also have no experience either, but I've taken Medical Terminology and I am in the middle of applying to schools. I have been interviewed by two Boston area hospitals (one of them twice) and still nothing. It just seems like no one wants to hire anyone unless they are fully qualified or have had a lot of experience. I never stop applying and keep trying, but it just gets a bit frustrating.

Again your input does really help and I hope it helps others currently reading this message board :)

--- It REALLY is frustrating. I think it's our economy as well. There's an excess of people qualified for higher positions but not enough jobs for them, so they take on the more menial ones meant for us :X lol

.. im on the same boat ;) I've spoken with various people & done research (nothing else to do =\) other things i found in a hospital field with no reqs.:

transport orderly, receptionist, admin quality associate, er tech, med tech assistant..

yeah. uscks huh? :\ good luck still and if you ever snag one, update us please :D

Specializes in Psych; Med/Surg.

It definitely does suck and the sad thing is I've applied to many of those positions and still no word, but I will keep all of you updated and I will make sure to pass any good info I get along :)...

OAN: I have noticed that Tufts Medical Center is looking to hire Nursing Service Assistants. Don't go to the main website because you won't be able to view the jobs the way you want to; instead try this link http://www.healthcaresource.com/tnemc/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.categoryList&template=dsp_job_categories.cfm and the search will become a whole lot easier. I hope this helps some job seekers out in their search :)

Hi Lizbee,

Did you have any success obtaining a job at a Boston area hospital?

Specializes in Psych; Med/Surg.

Hi MGH99,

No I never did (I did have three interviews at Boston area hospitals two of them at the same place), but I did get a job as a Medical Records Clerk at a mental health clinic in the same town I live in. So far I've been there for two months and I'm getting a lot of experience there. I also have been cross-trained as the receptionist if I am to ever cover for breaks, vacations, or sick days. In the end, this is just a stepping stone to help me get to where I need to be later on in life.

My advice to you (if you don't already have a job) is to just not give up and keep looking. Try Craigslist (that's how I got my job) and make sure to look into smaller area clinics. In my opinion you probably have a much bigger chance of getting an interview and possibly even a job offer from smaller clinics and medical offices (whether or not they are private). If you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you looking into?

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