Does this ever happen?

get experience as a nursing assistant while in school at a facility you might want to work at. worked for me :)

get experience as a nursing assistant while in school at a facility you might want to work at. worked for me :)

That was one option I was looking into, but again every nurse asst position (in a hospital) I've seen around here requires a minimum of 1 year experience. Where is one to even begin to get that one year? It seems as though my only options would be LTC/nursing homes (not that I would mind, but still).

I would actually LOVE to get some sort of entry-level job at a hospital now before I even begin school. My current employment is not very conducive to going to school full-time (I'm a full-time flight attendant), so I thought it would be wonderful to be able to kill two birds with one stone by getting a new job with a better schedule (i.e. not having to be away from home!) AND it being in a healthcare facility. This way I could have at least my pinky toe in the door lol.

Hi there. I just graduated in December. I work for a hospital in NC (where the jobs are pretty scarce at the moment). The hospital I work for decided to hire new grads to those students ONLY who work there. Other places have hiring freezes or are favoring "their" students. The people who are getting hired got their face out there. They worked hard at clinicals, they expressed interest in the area and they applied. If it's critical care you are looking for, prepare yourself. Show them you are interested by knowing your stuff and by trying to get relative certifications if it is within your means. So, YES, that sort of hiring happens ALL THE TIME. Many of my fellow students got jobs at the hospital we did clinicals. I myself did not but I was offered a position. It is in your best interest to do your best, help out the nurses on the floor, and make a good impression. Also, having a job at the hospital doesn't hurt either, so you are on the right track by looking into that. Good luck- kick butt!

Pretty much everyone was "invited to apply" to the state hospital where we did our psych rotation, and everyone who applied got job offers.

I was offered a job in the ED where I did clinicals for my RN. I know I was the only one in my group to receive an offer. I already had a job, but in retrospect I wish I would have taken it.

Thanks for the replies! It's very encouraging to know that it is possible. I realize the competition will be fierce, but I'm prepared to give 150% and prove that I'd be an asset.

Sounds like you will be an assett wherever you go.

I would just mirror what others have said. Many hospitals let student's also works nursing assistant's and getting your face known - for good reasons!!! - is the best way in.

Good Luck

Yes. During my senior year of nursing school I took a job as a CNA at one of the large hospitals where I did some of my clinical rotations. I had a job waiting for me after graduation. But that was a long time ago and when they were begging for nurses and paying big bonus money.