Chances of getting hired?

[ccaparanga73]

Hello,

I am a nursing student from Massachusetts. I am currently on my 2nd semester of my 3rd and last year of accelerated BSN Program. My GPA so far is a 3.101. If I get B+'s on my last 3 classes (18 credits total), then my GPA can be boosted to 3.130. My classes in this school are very difficult, especially because it is an accelerated program.

I have been working at one of the top facilities in Boston as a unit secretary for 2 years & 4 months now. I have a well-built reputation all-around as well as with my supervisors and managers. I also have family members that work in the same facility as mine.

Now I am wondering how my chances are in getting hired as RN in hospitals. I have received several e-mails regarding Nursing Residencies for post BSN grads that has less than 1 year experience. While most hospitals that I look at only hires RNs that has more than 2 years of experience.

My questions are..

1. Should I start working as a CNA now to increase my chances or keep my current job as a unit secretary?

2. Should I go for a nursing residency program?

3. Should I bother trying to apply to different hospitals even if they require more than 2 years experience?

4. Are my chances good in getting into my facility given that I have been working for them for 2 years & 4 months and that I have a well-built reputation.

I'm welcome to any other advice(s).

Thank you!

[SL2014]

First of all, I don't know about the East Coast but here in Phoenix it is pretty over saturated.

1. I would keep the job that you have now. It shows consistency.

2. Go for whatever you possibly can get... externship, residency.... job...

3. Yes, still apply for those jobs and CALL AND FOLLOW UP.

4. It depends on the hiring situation at your facility. Usually facilities prefer to hire from within because it is cheaper because they don't have to do as much paperwork and possibly as much training.

[ccaparanga73]

Thanks SL2014!

For my 1st question. The CNA job that I would be applying for would be in the same facility. Should I go for it? Or keep my unit secretary position?

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

Do you want to work in the unit you have the secretary job? If so, I say stay there. They know you.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Youve been there 2 1/2 yrs

Ask different managers there if switching to a CNA will give you an edge in the facility

[ccaparanga73]

MrChicagoRN

I'll ask my supervisor for that. I rarely see my floor manager or any managers at all because I only work weekends.

I have a pretty good reputation all-around, but it's my GPA of 3.0-3.1 worries me. That's why I've been wondering if working closer to the patients as a CNA would give me a better edge.

If I do decide to become a CNA there's definitely going to be a lot more workload. Which means, I won't be able to do as much schoolwork as I could working as a secretary, but then again this is my last semester and probably the hardest one.

I appreciate the comments and suggestions guys!

[RN9742]

A 3.0 GPA is not bad, I really don't understand why so many here think it is. If you are already working at a hospital, transitioning to another position would not be a big deal, it's easily explainable, you worked your way up while in school. Chances are they plan on you staying and moving into an RN position, unless you have told them otherwise.

Hello

Hello.

1. Should I start working as a CNA now to increase my chances or keep my current job as a unit secretary?

I don't think working as a CNA increases your chances and comes with significant risks... what if you're not good at it? what if you end up in a crappy place and want to bail? what if you tweak your back?

Keep a job that you (a) like, (b) are good at, and © where your bosses like you.

2. Should I go for a nursing residency program?

Sure, if you can get accepted.

3. Should I bother trying to apply to different hospitals even if they require more than 2 years experience?

Some people say you should apply anywhere and everywhere but I'm of the opinion that you should only apply for jobs where you meet the stated requirements.

I often read posts where people claim that they've applied to hundreds of jobs. The reality is, most of those jobs are probably ones for which they're not qualified.

Putting together a *good* job application takes time and energy... Apply for jobs that you want and for which you qualify, and put together a great application package.

4. Are my chances good in getting into my facility given that I have been working for them for 2 years & 4 months and that I have a well-built reputation.

It depends on whether your organization (a) has openings and (b) likes to hire internal candidates. Not all places do.

The best people to answer that question are the managers who work there. What do they say?

[ccaparanga73]

Thank you so much for your insights.

♪♫ in my ♥ - As of right now, they do have few openings, but it's still going to be months until I get my license. As for the deciding whether to transition to a CNA position, you did have a good point about the risk that I would be taking if I do transition.

You're welcome.

I often read where people extol the virtues of being a CNA as some sort of proving ground or basic training for being a bedside nurse.

Having been through the CNA class and having worked with several CNAs... and having spent a year as a med-surg nurse prior to getting into ED nursing, I just don't see it that way.

If you want to be a CNA, go for it, but it doesn't offer much in the way of prepping to be a nurse IMO.

In fact, I'd argue that being a unit clerk offers more because they often see MD orders, are involved in getting patients assigned to the appropriate bed, etc. At my first job, the unit clerk knew TONS more about nursing and medicine than did the CNAs who were mostly about ADLs and vital signs.

At my current facility, we don't even have CNAs... but we still have unit clerks.