Can I still look for tech job if I'm graduating in May?

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Ill be graduating this May if all goes well! Yay for me! lol. But I haven't had a job in over a year since I wanted to focus on school. I feel that not having experience is going to lessen my chances of getting a job quickly, and plus you know people dont like to hire people who have lapses in work experience. So, now that Im on the down swing I feel like I could handle having a job, and I also know facilities would rather "hire within", so it would raise my chances of getting an RN position after licensure. Externships are few and far between in Nashville right now, so do you think it is too late in my studies to get hired as a nursing tech/CNA? I'm thinking that no one will want to hire me knowing that I wont be staying in a tech position that long. Realistically I wont be licensed until at least end of July or Aug, but ya think that is still too short of a time for them to want to train me? Or would they rather hire someone as a tech first to see how they will work out before giving an opportunity as an RN, in which case it would work in my favor? Some students are already applying as an RN! So I dont know which direction to go in :( any advice?

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Depends on your state and the hospitals in your area. My state now does not allow you to work as an RN as a new grad pending licensure. So, it is futile to submit RN job apps if you do not have a license. Hospitals simply will not see you. They have no need to. As far as CNA goes, you could try it, but again, it depends on your rules. Some states don't allow you to continue working in that role once you are licensed. And regardless of state rules that do allow it, some facilities will not hire someone soon to be RN as a CNA. They don't like the legal gray areas once you become an RN. Some places will fire you as soon as you become licensed as an RN.

About that CNA experience getting you a job. In my area it did not help anyone. Only those with family/political contacts got hospital jobs (some really stunk their way through school, one even flunked the boards the first time around and still, because of contacts was handed a great job on a silver platter).

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Of course you can! Tech experience is so helpful! You graduate in May, but then you will be studying for the boards. You can work as a tech while searching for an RN job and it will certainly be worth having on your resume. Try to get a tech job on the unit you want to work on so you can see how it really is.

Just do not over commit since you will need enough time for school and NCLEX studying. During school I worked 1 shift per weekend and i did all holidays. While studying for NCLEX I just picked up shifts when I could. Having tech work on your resume is def preferable to NOT having any.

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It depends on the state. Some states let RNs work in roles below their license (NY) some do not (NJ). If you want to apply to both tech and RN positions after graduation, that's certainly an option. Just be very careful to only look for temporary tech jobs, as you don't want to be pigeon-holed into a role that is way below your education level and license. Also, don't worry about a lapse in experience on your resume. You do not have a lapse - you were in school, and being a student is never considered a gap/lapse to an employer.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

depends on where you live. I know my hospital will not hire a tech if they are graduating in May - they want at least 1 year from their graduation date. You could try as a CNA, though!

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Specializes in Hospice.

I think its going to be very hard to get a job ...i mean why would they waste the two or three weeks it takes to train you (and at our facility the hiring process is over a month long ...minimum) when they know your not a long term prospect. Good luck but i think i would start sending out RN applications instead. Good luck and congrats on your impending graduation.

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I just took a job as a TMA, and they have already expressed interest in hiring me as an RN. I graduate in May. Never hurts, I guess.

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

Getting a tech job is an excellent idea! :) At my hospital we try to hire our own and I'm sure it works that way at other hospitals too. What great experience it would provide! If I were hiring someone, I would favor a person who worked while in school as opposed to someone who did not. Good luck! :D

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Tech positions are good especially if you want to work on the same floor. Look for nurse tech, senior nurse tech, or nurse internship programs. Whatever they call it at your hospital. I am hearing that it is hard for new grad nurses to get hired. I would put together a good resume and even start looking for graduate nurse positions. A few friends of mine did get tech jobs within months of graduation. Typically if HR knows you are graduating soon they won't hire you because they want someone who is going to stay in that position, because then they have to fill it again. Good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg - Internal Medicine.

check out your state's laws regarding holding a cna/stna position. in ohio, an rn may work as an stna but cannot declare themselves as an rn while working as an stna. i was an stna for 5 years and feel that it gave me a competitive edge over some of my classmates when it came to getting call backs for interviews and finally landing the position that i really wanted.

also, if i may add, if you work as a cna/stna prior to becoming an rn you will have an understanding of how much support this position really provides to you in the role as an rn (and truly appreciate what they do - please do not take their assistance for granted). :nurse:

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It depends on the state. Some states let RNs work in roles below their license (NY) some do not (NJ). If you want to apply to both tech and RN positions after graduation, that's certainly an option. Just be very careful to only look for temporary tech jobs, as you don't want to be pigeon-holed into a role that is way below your education level and license. Also, don't worry about a lapse in experience on your resume. You do not have a lapse - you were in school, and being a student is never considered a gap/lapse to an employer.

Are you sure about NJ? I thought you could as long as you have the certificate but I could be wrong.

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