Any Clinical Care Extenders?

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

Hey guys! I don't know if this program is restricted to only CA but I am wondering if there are any of you out there?

I did an interview in may and didn't get accepted and I don't know why. I was wondering if any of you are interviewers or are in the program that could shed some light on how to get in? I heard a few tips like answering first and bring your own pen(?) give you "points". I did those (I tried to answer first but got interrupted everytime.)

So any tips or hints would be great. Interviews are held again in June.

Thanks!

Did you try applying again? I also got rejected after having a decent interview and answering first.

Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.
Did you try applying again? I also got rejected after having a decent interview and answering first.

No I got a CNA job at a hospital which is waaay more hands on then this program. Now not only do I have answer experience but I have my foot in the door now and job once i graduate nursing school. Good luck

good jobon getting the cna position! it is more hands on for sure but for those not looking towork while in college this volunteer program is (or can be if you make it) veryuseful in understanding what it is that nurses do and how a hospital runs.

if anyone visits this thread and still wants to know how to boost their getting into theprogram, here are some tid bits. just my humble opinion but i'm in an enjoyingit.

as for getting in, bringing a pen to the interview is very helpful, as you needto do some on the spot essays, bebriefed on the latest up to date health care issues. as for the interview, it is a group interview and you have to take turns answering with the others. i never answered first but the younger girl inmy interview group jumped in every time to answer every question first. she did notget accepted, i did. i waited patiently for her to answer and made eye contactwith the interviewer to let her know i had heard the question but have controland patience by not being overly aggressive and assertive. caution is a greatasset to have in a hospital setting and i think her over eagerness came off asa negative rather than a plus. i would sometimes ask if anyone else hadanything to say and then would look at the interviewer and give my answer. keepeye contact on the interviewer so she/he knows you are involved but just beingpatient and polite. however, i do not think the verbal answers or bringing apen are what gets one in but the essays and level of maturity. many are youngerwith little to no life experience (while others are older and plenty of lifeexperiences) so just prepare yourself for questions regarding difficulties youhave had at work or successes you have had and try to make them better than thestove broke and how tragic that was but how you overcame the disaster. understress it is hard to think of a "quick" answer but be prepared justlike you would for a regular interview. they always ask you your best and worst characteristic, the best thing that happened at a job or volunteer program and the worst. if you are prepared it will be easier and you will not be as nervous. show up early and dress appropriately--no short skirts or jeans. the training is very busy and you will be tested on all aspects of the training, so be prepared to study.

the program is great in my opinion and i recommend it for anyone who is notsure of their interest in nursing. good luck to all and keep trying.

hi

bbmtnbb,

regarding the essay question, could you give an example? what did you write about - if you remember? i get nervous when it comes to writing and would like to prepare early... i know the question might not be the same, but want to take my chance to prepare - hope to hear back from you soon! thank you!

Specializes in Emergency Room.

hello everyone! i used to be a cce and i thought it was a great experience. i rotated through departments such as acute care unit, emergency room (multiple times), operating room, and nicu. the program helped me get comfortable with the hospital setting and allowed me to network, i think that was the main reason i was able to get a job as an er tech there. even if you work in the medical field, i think the program is still worthwhile due to the different departments you rotate through. i spent 3 months volunteering in the or and got to see some interesting surgeries; i'm told you only get to spend a day or so in the or during nursing school. i also used to be a part of the leadership and executive teams that ran the cce program. i used to be the director of recruitment and training so i interviewed a lot of people during my time there. bbmtnbb is pretty spot on in her post as far as what interviewers looked for. i remember we used to ask questions such how well do you work with others, why do you think you will be successful in the program, and usually a situational question that requires you to prioritize.

hi

bbmtnbb,

regarding the essay question, could you give an example? what did you write about - if you remember? i get nervous when it comes to writing and would like to prepare early... i know the question might not be the same, but want to take my chance to prepare - hope to hear back from you soon! thank you!

it's been a long time since i was in the program but the essay questions tended to be about medical issues such as the differences in opinions between doctors and families in end of life care and i want to say one was about solutions to prevent the spread of hiv. the questions may have changed since i was there but make sure you actually answer the question and support your position.

First I wanted to apologize for all my typos, I was using my phone and the buttons make me all thumbs. In answer to what the essay questions are about...they realtate to the issues affecting healthcare currently. An example is the current state of healthcare and healthcare rationing issues due to cost constraints. I would just make sure you are aware of the current issues and have a sound reason for any opinions you have. I believe my essay had to do with the potential of a nursing shortage as the baby boomers age and what I would do about it. Good luck with the essay and also know that you have to write about 3 essays in the application process to start with. Check the web site out and download the application in Word. You will see them there.

As for it being nice to see all the departments as you rotate, I fully agree. One nursing student told me they get a week or two weeks in some departments--like ICU. I just finished 3 months in ICU and even put in extra hours than what was required because I liked it so much. It is quite a diverse learning experience and really shows you how a hospital runs. Again, Good Luck.

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