Do you want to be jobless after nursing school? I didn't think so...

[Manny92]

We all hear the horror stories of fresh nursing grads who can't find jobs after school. Well, I don't want to be one of those people and I thought I'd share the steps I have taken as of now and for the future to hopefully prevent that from occuring:

I got my CNA license last October but haven't found a job because I wanted to focus more on acing my prerequisites. After having finished all my classes this past Fall 2013 semester, I got a job at my local community college as a student assistant, at the very school I applied for nursing school.

After my first semester of nursing school, I plan on applying to a hospital as a Patient Care Technician (I am qualified for this because I previously got my CNA license), and I will be even MORE qualified because I will have completed the "Nursing Fundamentals" course. The experience from this class combined with the clinicals will be very good.

While at the hospital, I will network with the nurses and staff (hopefully unit managers, too), and let them know how serious I am about my motivation, career goals, and ambition.

After getting my RN license, I will immediately apply to my local university's RN-BSN bridge program....... The catch is that I will still do PCT work undercover (to make sure I get some money).

Once I get my BSN, I should have absolutely no problem finding a nursing job, right?

[Manny92]

I think PCT experience is somewhat overrated if being an RN is your goal. At best you can learn a lot IF you work with the right nurses in the right environment, but more than likely you are going to be running around non stop all shift doing menial tasks that are relatively easy to learn and will most likely be covered in Nursing school or experienced during clinicals.

Hello funtimes :) thank you for you input. It is understandable to see how PCT work can be overrated, given the particular situation. That is is some interesting insight that I have never even considered. Thank you for that.

Do you happen to know if working for Red Cross as "volunteer nurse" would be a good idea? The catch is that I would only volunteer if I know that I will actually be asked to do hands-on work, utilizing ALL the skills and techniques taught in school, making sure that I do not let my skills atrophy. I also wouldn't mind helping out in blood banks and teaching CPR or infection control classes. Thing is, how much of an impact would that make when employers see my resume? And to be honest, I wouldn't be doing volunteering just to try to get a job --- I would do it because I genuinely enjoy helping people.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

The biggest benefit is another source for references and you get to apply internally.

[NewSN13]

I worked as a tech during nursing school and found it beneficial for my own growth and understanding as well as useful in securing a job before I graduated. I worked in an ER that serves as the only trauma center for a large geographic area. I saw and did a lot during my time there. I made learning a priority. Most of the doctors, nurses, and ancillary staff were really open to teaching and I seized those opportunities. Having patient contact and working in a hospital made me much more comfortable in clinical settings during school.

I did my senior preceptorship in the unit that I was hired into. I worked my tail off and used some of the skills and confidence I had from my job to help make a favorable impression. My RN position is with a different hospital system than I used to work for and in a unit that has very few similarities to the ER but I still think it was a benefit for me to have held that position while I was in school.

There are no guarantees, a fact that you understand. Among my fellow new grads, some have landed jobs because of their clinical placements during school, some because of their work experience, and some apparently just impressed employers on paper without any type of connection to the job/facility. I don't see a downside to healthcare experience and opening up networking opportunities!

[emorales2010]

Thanks for the great responses, everyone :) I wish each and every one of you the best in all that you do.

[guest769224]

Manny92,

I think that if you can demonstrate to your nurse manager that you have outstanding work ethic as a CNA/Tech, they will likely hire you as a new grad RN. It is no guarantee of course, but it improves your chances. I am in a similar situation to yours.

I work in an ER, AND an ICU as a tech. I work in both units so that I have double the chance as a new grad to slip right into critical care in the hospital. I have spoke with both managers and they told me they will take me once I graduate.

You have to go above and beyond in your work as a tech. The charge nurses on the unit have a very loud voice and opinion on whether they'd like you to be a fellow nurse to them. I don't think you should sweat it too much.

If it doesn't work out, apply to new grad residency programs in your area or nationwide. There are plenty of options.

[Manny92]

Hello ICUman, thanks for the info. And congratulations! I will definitely make sure to have an open mind. I wouldn't mind having to relocate to find work and residency programs. I have a question - did you get your tech jobs through nursing school?

[guest769224]

Cool. Your options expand exponentially if you area willing to relocate. I got my ICU job 6 months before starting nursing school. I got the ER job the 1st week of the program. Is that what you mean? If you get one during school it will be more difficult to get your schedules to mesh together. It can be done though.

[Manny92]

Cool. Your options expand exponentially if you area willing to relocate. I got my ICU job 6 months before starting nursing school. I got the ER job the 1st week of the program. Is that what you mean? If you get one during school it will be more difficult to get your schedules to mesh together. It can be done though.

Oh ok cool. I actually meant to ask if you got your PCT training from your first semester in nursing school. But yeah ok.

I challenged the CNA exam and passed on my first attempt; however, I never went to a training program. PCT jobs I see in the Northern Florida area require accredited CNA/PCT training programs to be qualified, and the first semester of nursing school counts as that training. I thought maybe I could apply to one of those PCT hospital jobs where I would be doing the clinicals after my first semester. What are your thoughts on that?

[guest769224]

Oh sorry for misunderstanding. No I got my training from CNA class and especially on the job.

Yes, many hospitals will allow you to substitute CNA licensure if you are already enrolled in a nursing program.

Definitely look into it. I read you are in the Jacksonville area! That's so neat I went out there for the first time last summer and it was fantastic. I'll be there again this summer maybe we could get lunch and chat.

So you are saying you do or don't have a CNA license?

[Manny92]

Oh sorry for misunderstanding. No I got my training from CNA class and especially on the job.

Yes, many hospitals will allow you to substitute CNA licensure if you are already enrolled in a nursing program.

Definitely look into it. I read you are in the Jacksonville area! That's so neat I went out there for the first time last summer and it was fantastic. I'll be there again this summer maybe we could get lunch and chat.

So you are saying you do or don't have a CNA license?

ICU man, that's nice. :) Yes, I am a licensed CNA, but I currently do not have a CNA job. The reason is that, since I will be starting nursing school at FSCJ this summer, i could find PCT work at the hospital where clinicals will take place. And also, I don't have any medical experience and all the CNA jobs around here seem to require experience. To compensate for that lack of experience, I want to get my first semester of nursing school out of the way, in addition to volunteer work. Yes, I am a Jacksonville resident :)

[guest769224]

Go get some experience now before school starts then maybe. I had to work in a snf before a hospital system hired me

[Manny92]

Go get some experience now before school starts then maybe. I had to work in a snf before a hospital system hired me

Ok, the problem is that during the interview for the CNA job I don't want to have to say "oh I plan to go to nursing school in four months". I feel like that would turn off some employers, in addition to having to drastically alter my schedule once classes start.