CNA with bachelor's in biology cannot find job. What next?

[AdamMSU]

Hello all,

I graduated from Michigan State U with my bachelor's in human biology in 2012 and will be starting a 12 month BSN program at a MI public university next spring. My plan was to obtain my CNA license and gain experience while paying down debt until I start.

The problem is that after applying to local hospitals and a few LTC's, I have not even gotten a single interview. The furthest I have gotten is having my references cleared and passed on to a few hiring managers at a local hospital. I have worked for almost 3 months as a resident aide in the dementia unit of a dilapidated assisted living facility. I love the residents and my coworkers are decent but getting $8/hr with the licensure I hold and educational background is demoralizing.

My long term goal is to use my CNA experience to land an RN job after finishing my BSN and be the BEST grad nurse I can be, ultimately landing in the hospital.

Right now I do not know where to turn. Should I redouble my efforts in the Job Search, apply to volunteer in the hospitals I would like to ultimately work, both or something else I haven't even considered yet?

[sourapril]

I have 2 bachelors and 1 masters and still can't find a RN job. You are not alone.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

Many hospitals also hire "student nurse technicians" which also do the same things as CNAs and PCTs. PCT positions don't require any schooling, they'll hire people off the street and train them. I'd consider looking for those positions in hospitals before giving up.

Agrees with above. I don't work in a hospital but I know CNA's in my class who got hospital positions. Most applications are automatically filtered if you don't have 1 year experience as a CNA. Hold off on your applications but keep your CNA position part-time while going to school. Once you actually get into nursing school and complete your first semester then start applying to "nurse tech" PCT and CNA positions in hospitals. Add the school info and clinical rotation completion to your resume, that how most nursing students I know get there first hospital job prior to graduation.A hospital who hires you as a nursing student will most likely want you to continue there once you graduate. If you have the finances and time, getting a short phlebotomy course done will also help.