How did you get your hospital job???

[stigrl]

I have been applying like crazy and so far NOTHING!!!! It doesn't help that each hospital has an online only application system... no one to check with or call. The one time I tried to call HR anyways, the lady was irritated and said if they want to interview me I will get a call.

I have been working extremely part time (8 hours a week) at a group home for 5 months, and that is my only experience as a CNA. Is this enough to get my foot in the door somewhere? Right now I have a full time office job and I make a really nice salary. If I take a huge pay cut, I feel like I would want it to be for something I really wanted... like to be a PCT at a hospital and get me more prepared for a nursing program.

Any suggestions or is this just something I will have to be patient for?

[lyfhckr]

nope, i did a personal interview then they just called me within a week.. i hope you get it :-) wish you luck!

[Amber628]

stigrl said:

I have been applying like crazy and so far NOTHING!!!! It doesn't help that each hospital has an online only application system... no one to check with or call. The one time I tried to call HR anyways, the lady was irritated and said if they want to interview me I will get a call.

I have been working extremely part time (8 hours a week) at a group home for 5 months, and that is my only experience as a CNA. Is this enough to get my foot in the door somewhere? Right now I have a full time office job and I make a really nice salary. If I take a huge pay cut, I feel like I would want it to be for something I really wanted... like to be a PCT at a hospital and get me more prepared for a nursing program.

Any suggestions? Or is this just something I will have to be patient for?

i dont know what the other posters said bc i didnt read thru the whole thread; but for me it took me a LONG time to get a PCT job. I graduated from my PCT class in 2008; worked in LTC 09/2010 and finally landed a hospital Job in 2012!

My advice to anyone CNA PCT LPN RN looking for work in a specific place.

1. Get your resumee READY! this is some work, tailor your resumee for EACH facility you apply to. DO NOT just use one resumee to everyone. if your objective says to obtain a such and such postion in ABC hospital it looks better! TRUST ME.

2. have reference letters AND EMAIL ADDRESSES ESPECIALLY if you have prior experience, if you dont use teachers, professors or other professionals. NOT family members or friends.

3. find the facilities you want to work for. GOOGLE is your best friend! Find the nursing recruiters name and email. Nursing recrutiers hire ALL nursing personell in most hospital INCLUDING PCTS/CNAS

4. email the recruiter and tell THEM A SHORT BLURB about your self -- example::

Dear John Doe Nursing Recruiter of ABC Hospital,

My name is Jane Doe. I am a certified CNA/PCT/RN/LPN with _____ years of experience. I am seeking a _____time position in your facility. Attached is my resumee. I can also be reached at [phone]. I look foward to hearing from you soon and setting up an interview. Thank you and have a wonderful day.

Sincerly,

Jane Doe

5. Wait for a response, If you do not get one in 5 business days, email again the person or call and ask to speak to them. Also try to apply if there are any positions open online; EVEN if there old.

when i emailed the recruiter for my job now she called me in 2 hours after i sent the email.

TRY TO EMAIL THEM EARLY IN THE DAY BETWEEN 8AM-9AM. So it will be one of the first things they see in there INBOx WHEN THEY COME IN =]

BEST OF LUCK TO EVERYONE

AMBER -- NJ PCT/CNA -LPN STUDENT!

[Billy11]

Congrats MissyMango! That's great.

I had a phone interview the other day with a hospital and was asked to come in person next week. This I'm assuming will be a second interview if you will. Do you remember what was asked of you when you interviewed? Any tips? Many thanks.

[knorts13]

I got my PCA job at a hospital in CT after just having clinical experience. I noticed that the worst part was just getting them to pull your application. It really is all about who you know and getting your name out there. Work with the nurses and managers on the floors of your clinical sites, and make them remember your name. When you apply it can be helpful to contact them and let them know that you are interested in a job. They can be your best asset when applying. Good luck!

[luvmykids0810]

i was a CNA for four years before I got my PCT job at my hospital. I was in Michigan and moved to Texas in feb 2012, and got my hospital job call back in April, and didnt start until May 2012. I worked very hard at everything I did, and my hospital really took a chance on me. I feel very blessed and lucky to have the bosses I have, but i killed it during my interview so i kinda knew I would be getting the job. It took me four years, and moving states to get at my hospital. Patients is a vurture hun.

[Billy11]

hi everyone,

i just got a per diem job as a nursing assistant at a localhospital! i'm excited and nervous all atthe same time! i applied online in juneand received an email from the recruiter a couple of weeks thereafter. i then had a phone interview and then wasasked to come in in person and poof they hired me! i still have to go through the employmentprocess but i'm thrilled to gain some experience. i do still currently work a regular officeposition and will be working at the hospital every other weekend. come sept. i will be in n2 and will cut downon my reg. office hours but to maintain my medical coverage i will still beworking in the office. so come septemberi will be working 2 jobs and going through n2. oh boy i guess we'll see how this goes! anyone working 2 jobs??

good luck to all.

[shay&lynn, ASN, RN]

\ said:

Hi everyone,

I just got a per diem job as a nursing assistant at a localhospital! I'm excited and nervous all atthe same time! I applied online in Juneand received an email from the recruiter a couple of weeks thereafter. I then had a phone interview and then wasasked to come in in person and poof they hired me! I still have to go through the employmentprocess but I'm thrilled to gain some experience. I do still currently work a regular officeposition and will be working at the hospital every other weekend. Come Sept. I will be in N2 and will cut downon my reg. office hours but to maintain my medical coverage I will still beworking in the office. So come SeptemberI will be working 2 jobs and going through N2. Oh boy I guess we'll see how this goes! Anyone working 2 jobs??

Good luck to all.

I have three jobs now, but will also have two come this fall.

I work as a NA in a hospital every other weekend and also as an aide in a LTC facility where I have to work a min of 2 days a month.

[Billy11]

Jenniferasch said:

I have three jobs now, but will also have two come this fall.

I work as a NA in a hospital every other weekend and also as an aide in a LTC facility where I have to work a min of 2 days a month.

Hi Jenniferasch,

What semester are you currently in? I will be working approx. 15-20 hours at my first job (I cut back during school) and will be working every other wknd at the hospital come school in September. How do you handle it? I'm thinking eventually something will have to give for me.

[shay&lynn, ASN, RN]

Billy11 said:

Hi Jenniferasch,

What semester are you currently in? I will be working approx. 15-20 hours at my first job (I cut back during school) and will be working every other wknd at the hospital come school in September. How do you handle it? I'm thinking eventually something will have to give for me.

I will be in the 2nd semester starting August 20th. I have a job that I will be working every other weekend as well [this has a 1+ hr commute each way] and then another job that I schedule my own days [min of 2 days a month]...I am a first-shifter so no sleeping in for me! This is in addition to my 13 credit hrs for the Fall [with another 1+ hr commute to and fro school]! MY SCHEDULE IS NUTS! How do I handle it? I just do :] ... I actually love working in the LTC facility and the hospital...it keeps my mind fresh and allows me to learn new things. Am I tired all the time? YES! Lol...I not only have school and work, I have a family as well [and my doggies]. Life is busy-but there is light at the end...somewhere!

[Preemie 2 RN, ASN, RN]

Finally got a call back (had to wait 3 weeks for background check) and I have an interview on Tuesday! They want me for a float pool PCA position though so I'm kind of worried. They know I have no experience and that I was just accepted into a nursing program for the fall so I don't have any clinical hours/skills mastered yet. I'm worried if I get the job they will just dump me off on whatever floor they need me on that day and expect me to know what I need to do.

This hospital does have an 8 week PCA training program but I asked if I would be able to take it and they said no, that they don't have a new class starting anytime soon. I just don't understand how I will be properly trained while jumping from floor to floor?

One good thing about doing float is that she said I will basically be able to schedule when I want to work so I can work around my school schedule.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice?

[Preemie 2 RN, ASN, RN]

Well my interview is in a few hours! I hope it goes well!!

[Preemie 2 RN, ASN, RN]

Interview went as well as it could. The HR manager said I will have to call back once I am done with my first semester of nursing (in December) but she gave me her direct number though and said she would love to hire me when the time comes. She said she liked that I volunteer at the hospital already and that volunteering is a big plus in her book. Can't wait until December!