Bypass the recruiter? Advice please!!

I was hoping I could get some advice about my frustrating attempts at getting past a recruiter. I am truly beginning to feel defeated...I mean, if I can't even get in as a PCT (fully qualified per the job ad), then how will I ever get a job as an RN??

A well-respected 30+ year RN at a hospital I have been dying to get into has personally recommended me for a PCT position and even contacted the recruiter on my behalf. This was back in October. Soon after, this recruiter called me in and I was over the moon thinking I finally had an opportunity to interview. Wrong! She only told me that I needed to complete Fundamentals and one clinical rotation before being considered. She gave me her direct # and email and asked me to contact her once those minimum criteria have been met.

Fast forward a couple months...I am now in Med-Surg and, according to recruiter, should be now qualified to apply for a PCT position. Two emails and two calls later, no response. I didn't want to annoy her, so these attempts were spaced out over a period of one month. I finally reached out to the RN who recommended me and she reiterated how valuable she thinks I'd be and that she will personally attempt to reach the recruiter. Again, recruiter calls me (after over a month of attempts) and NOW she tells me that the hospital has changed their hiring policy to that of an Affirmative Action (hasn't it always been that way??), which all but eliminates attempts by people to get in via internal referrals. Really?? Then why is it still an option on their marketing drop-down list?

She continues to tell me that although I meet the minimum requirements spelled out in the job posting, hiring managers will have additional criteria that must be met and I will most likely never meet those as a student. Aren't PCTs mostly comprised of students? I mean, most I meet during clinical are students. Also, she said that although she previously told me I needed to only complete Fundamentals, now she says she prefers that Med-Surg also be completed as well (the job postings state only Fundamentals).

Honestly, I am so frustrated and feel like I am getting the run around by a recruiter who does not like me for some reason. I did not ask for the recommendation...the RN did it out of kindness. And to make things even worse, this recruiter has contacted several classmates of mine and they have gotten interviews (none have healthcare experience). Yet I somehow don't qualify?

At this point, would it be inappropriate for me to bypass her completely and walk right into a unit with resume in hand? I am feeling like I have no other options. I know some might say to just move on and apply at other facilities, however, this is the one hospital system that I've been dying to get into for as long as I can remember. I would hate to give up because of one person, who in my opinion, is not being truthful with me. I'm sorry this is so long, but I would sincerely appreciate any advice I can get!