Can a 1st Semester Student work as a Tech?

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 3, 2005

I completed my first semester and applied for a position as a PCA but was not selected, I later found out its because I had to be a CNA first. What I would like to know, is it possible for me to even find a job as a tech when I just completed my 1st semester??

Where I live they seem to want students after second semester, after the first med-surg semester.

What you could do is call the hospitals in your area and speak to the nurse managers and see what they require as far as experience.

I was pretty aggressive in looking for my tech job. I got on a local hospital's website and looked up all the nurse managers for all the floors I thought were interesting. I sent my resume and cover letter to each one of them. I ended up with two job offers and I was only partway into the second semester. Then of course I didn't take either job lol. After I finished the second semester in May, my clinical instructor suggested places to apply and I got the job I wanted. (ER Tech).

Also, make sure your resume is 'spicy' and be sure to touch on all the skills you can do. I have found that when I juice up the resume a bit I get more responses. And a reference from your clinical instructor is golden too.

lunakat · Jul 3, 2005

It depends on the hospital. 2 hospitals locally offer student nurse aide (pretty much a cna) jobs after 1st semster then after 3rd semster you can be a student nurse intern. The student nurse aide is considered staff with a primary focus on cna work. When you become an intern they don't count you as staff, more like an extra pair of hands. One other hospital will treat you like an intern right after the 1st semster. Check out other hospitals in your area as to what they do with their student nurses.... Good Luck...

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2005

Well, if you have completed semester one, why don't you get your CNA cert? In my nursing program, the CNA classes are separate from the nursing program and you need it to get in. I took it but never got "certified". Now, I am kicking myself. I haven't had practice in the skills in over 6 months and am too nervous to take the cert test now. I figure, after semester one of NS, and after some practice in the nursing lab, maybe I can try to test.I guess a lot of places want that certification regardless of whether you have completed a semester or two or NS. The only other way would be to find that one place that doesn't require it or wait unti you can nurse extern semester three!

Good Luck!

speedykicks · Jul 3, 2005

it seems to vary a lot from place to place. in my area, you can get a job as a tech after semester 1, you can also sit for the CNA exam after the first semester. The job listings often read "CNA/or nursing student with at least one semester completed" I am hoping those positions are pleantiful, because that is what I want to do for part-time work after the first semester if my other non-medical job falls through.

nursepotter05, RN · Jul 3, 2005

I started after foundations as a tech. My hospital doesn't have many CNA's most of the techs are in nursing school.

EyesForward · Jul 4, 2005

It comes down entirely to the policy of the hospital to which you are applying. Here, some hospitals call them nurse interns, others call them nurse techs or nurse associates. Some hire after semester one, some after semester two. Either way, you need to contact the recruiter for the corporation you are interested in, and ask. I am a nurse tech in picu and er, and was hired during semester III, but we hire students after semester I.

sabrn2006 · Jul 4, 2005

Like others have mentioned, it seems to vary by state and/or facility. In NY, a student who has completed nursing fundamentals (first semester) is eligible to take the CNA test. I was going to take the test but found I didn't need to (which saved me $125). The local hospitals here don't require certification to work as an aide, and many of them prefer to hire nursing students. I just started working as a nurses' aide in May after seeing a posting at my school. Ironically, I would need the CNA certification to work in a long term care facility.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 4, 2005

Like others have mentioned, it seems to vary by state and/or facility. In NY, a student who has completed nursing fundamentals (first semester) is eligible to take the CNA test. I was going to take the test but found I didn't need to (which saved me $125). The local hospitals here don't require certification to work as an aide, and many of them prefer to hire nursing students. I just started working as a nurses' aide in May after seeing a posting at my school. Ironically, I would need the CNA certification to work in a long term care facility.

Its not that way all over new york tho. I go to MCC and I inquired about testing out for CNA after fundamentals and was told by the coordinator of the CNA program that the MCC nursing program does not cover all of the CNA skills needed to test out for certification. They used to include it all in fundamentals but not any more. I was told I'd have to take the whole CNA course and so I didn't, and got a job instead as a PCT.

You are very correct that the hospitals love the students! :)

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2005

Guess I was a rare bird. Yes, I did get a tech position during my first semester so it is possible. There was a general recruitment of nursing students. The nursing supervisor put up a notice in the break room where I was doing my semester I clinical. I responded and got my first PCT job. It was a med/surg floor and I even learned phlebotomy. Getting my CNA wasn't necessary and wsn't even an issue.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 5, 2005

The hospital where I work hires 1st semester students as a Unit Secretary and then after your 1st semester of clinicals, you can start applying for Student Assistant positions. Its a great way to get your foot in the door and work while in school.

JenNJFLCA · Jul 6, 2005

We had to have Fundamentals done, but that's all. Here in FL we're not required to be CNA's.