can i get hired without work experience?

[RNjadee]

May 15, 2012

I'm an RN since 2007 but never been employed in a hospital. I remember printing out a list of hospitals in Metro Manila that same year. I can't count the number of resume I've passed, I waited for "the call" but I did not received any. I did not waste my time, I did hospital tours again the following year. The result was very frustrating. I've earned certificates from paid trainings and seminars but it just didn't catch the eyes of the people in the HRs. All through those years, I did not believe in the BACKER POWER.. not until someone in the Fort Bonifacio General Hospital HR asked me if I know someone from there... Well of course, again, I was never called because I didn't have that "someone". I got tired and finally decided to work in a call center while searching for that "someone". I could cry but yes, I found that person after 5 years so I resigned my work. With no guarantee that I will be hired, I rendered my free services for 3 months which ended April 10 this year. Now, I'm a bum looking for the new "someone". I feel so desperate now. Though single, I'm 30 and I fear that my chance of getting hired here in the Philippines is already to slim. Can I get hired without work experience?

[iamnomad]

I'm sorry for your situation. And although I cannot relate to your situation, I do understand the frustration you are feeling. I have no experience when I applied for a job in the US. Others call it luck, I call it God's will that I got accepted and was given an H1B (working) visa for a supervisory role. I honestly don't know why I got the approval for that because that said visa is difficult to get, especially for nurses. I just tried it. That was 3 years ago. The employer filed an extension of that visa last Sept 2011 and up to now we have not heard from the US immigration.

I'm also from the Philippines and I know that backer system and volunteer works but ask the nurses to pay. And hopefully the government do something about it. The PNA should be more aggressive not just on collecting membership fees but also on being the voice of Filipino nurses.

Now, can you be hired even without experience? Yes. But will it be easy? To be honest, no. I do not know any hospital that is hiring right now. But I met with my college friends last week and I think St. Lukes is hiring. But I'm not positive. But that should not stop you from trying. With prayers and perseverance, you can. And I wish you the best.

[ceridwyn]

Have you tried to be assessed by the Australian nurses board? if you want to work overseas. worth a try, as you may have just squeezed in 3 months nursing practise before the 5 years since graduation ran out and then you would not have been be eligible.

[iamnomad]

I agree with ceridwyn. Australia is still somewhat open today. But as with any job applications abroad, you have to acknowledge the fact that there are struggles that you have to overcome, like current employment or unemployment in that country, the immigration process, and adapting to that country. But I am very impressed on how Australian companies handle the job applications and on the Australian immigration system.

Have you also tried applying to Middle Eastern countries?

How about the DOH's RN program?

[RNjadee]

Thank you ceridwyn and iamnomad for reading my post and for feeling my frustration. I hope this concern will reach the government specially PNA. Congratulations iamnomad. You're one lucky person. I just passed my resume in an Australian site. Also, I already visited some agencies that offer jobs in the Middle East but so far all them require at least 2 year work experience. RE: DOH. I've been following-up but I am getting the same answer "wait for your turn, we will call you". Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Members and readers who share the same fate can join my quest. Thank you.

[purplechicxiii, BSN, RN]

I feel for you too kabayan. Try to apply in UK as well, but I think you will be under a student program. I'm not really sure but you can search their website. I have a friend who works in UK but she also studies at the same time. As you see, most international countries don't recognize our education since we lack 2 years (hence, the K-12 education is now being implemented in our country). And still try your best to find a nursing job with pay as well, since most hospitals don't recognize volunteer/unpaid nursing experiences.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Please do not post cell phone numbers, contact info on the internet.

[ceridwyn]

Thank you ceridwyn and iamnomad for reading my post and for feeling my frustration. I hope this concern will reach the government specially PNA. Congratulations iamnomad. You're one lucky person. I just passed my resume in an Australian site. Also, I already visited some agencies that offer jobs in the Middle East but so far all them require at least 2 year work experience. RE: DOH. I've been following-up but I am getting the same answer "wait for your turn, we will call you". Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Members and readers who share the same fate can join my quest. Thank you.

I do hope you have applied for Australian assessment of your nursing education. Do not like your chances of a reply or a job, just passing your resume to an Australian employer without Australian nurses registration first

[iamnomad]

Finding employment overseas means you are willing to take some risk. You really have to invest on money, time, and effort. When applying to Middle East, it shouldn't be as expensive since some just require your PRC license first and registration there will follow. But if you want to work in Australia, then you have to make sure that it's the direction you want to take since you will be spending a lot of money for nursing registration. The bridging program is the most expensive part. And the registration process can take some time, and you will need the AHPRA registration before employers even consider you for a position.