Medical assistant position will help me land an RN job?

Nurses Job Hunt

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okay So I haven't passed the nclex rn yet , and am going to take it again in two months. However, in the meantime, should I try to get a job as a medical assistant somewhere that doesn't require medical assistant license just to have a health care pertinent experience on my resume? do you think that would make me viewed as a more desirable candidate compared to others?

Also, I have some nurse recruiters' contact information but I don't know what to say when I contact them. What do i ask? Do I tell them that I haven't gotten my RN license yet and am working on it and if there is any way I can secure an RN job position prior to me passing? I am really lost.. please help :(

Thanks...

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I would focus on passing NCLEX and go from there. Why would anyone want to hire a medical assistant who planned on leaving in a just a few months? That would be a bad investment for any business. And although it wouldn't be a bad thing to have on your resume, it won't necessarily help, either. Some hospitals don't even consider years of LVN experience or RN experience in sub-acute care when reviewing applications for acute care RN positions.

It's possible that you could secure an RN job before passing NCLEX (depending on the market in your area), but it's less likely since you have actually taken NCLEX and are no longer eligible to work as a graduate nurse.

Sorry to be so discouraging, but I think your only good option is to pass NCLEX and have a list of recruiters ready to call when you succeed. Good Luck to you! :)

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I think it would be an excellent idea to work as an medical assistant it looks good on your resume and you don't have to tell them your planning on leaving once you pass your n clex that can be your little secret

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

While working as an MA may help, they are going to ask you what you've been doing for the past 2-3 years. What will you say?

Healthcare is a small field, and I've run into people I worked with 20 years earlier, and memories are long.

Do you want to start your career with a lie that may come back and haunt you? Others won't see it as a "little secret."

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Specializes in Psych & Gero psych.

It won't hurt but probably won't help either. The best thing on a resume is long term jobs. ie. 10 yrs at walmart vs 3 months at this doctors office and 6 mo at xyz...

That said, if you do that, take a short term job, you can find one on Craigslist, where they are looking for someone, while another employee is out on maternity leave. At least it won't look bad or come back to bite you. Focus on passing NCLEX. Get and older Saunders book, they kind that still reviewed everything 2011 or sooner. Try a hurst review. Passing is everything...

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