Finding a job?

Is anyone else having a hard time finding a job?!! I just completed my 1st semester of nursing school & have no prior medical experience & it seems like no one wants to hire you without that experience! But without getting hired on, how do you get that experience?!! It's so frustrating!! I thought I had a good chance with a job where I did my clinicals at this past semester, it was prn, which would work perfectly for me since I'm not sure how much I'll be able to work when school starts again, but I haven't heard back from them yet. Don't know if I should call them either, I always feel like I'm bugging them. Any suggestions?! Also, I was just wondering if anyone else has run into this problem. Thanks for any feedback!

[renerian, BSN, RN]

My son is in nursing school and in order to be hired by a hospital he had to take the STNA course and pass the test/certified as an aide.

renerian

[KimRN03]

Try to take a class on being a CNA unless you already have it. IF you do maybe try to work in a nursing home. They are usually less picky when it comes to experience. Get a good six months worth of experience and then re-apply at the hospital. Most of the hospitals in my area require CNA and 6 months of experience. Also include clinicals as experience on your resume. Most hospitals accept that also. Good luck!

[twarlik]

Originally posted by ksrn2004

Is anyone else having a hard time finding a job?!! I just completed my 1st semester of nursing school & have no prior medical experience & it seems like no one wants to hire you without that experience! But without getting hired on, how do you get that experience?!! It's so frustrating!! I thought I had a good chance with a job where I did my clinicals at this past semester, it was prn, which would work perfectly for me since I'm not sure how much I'll be able to work when school starts again, but I haven't heard back from them yet. Don't know if I should call them either, I always feel like I'm bugging them. Any suggestions?! Also, I was just wondering if anyone else has run into this problem. Thanks for any feedback!

I don't know what it's like in your state, but here in Florida they don't require a CNA class to take the certification test. You probably learned most everything you need to in order to become a CNA already. I would check on the requirements in your state and see.

Good luck!

Todd

[babynursewannab]

Around here (Atlanta) hospitals prefer you to have completed Med-Surg first. I did that and now I work as a tech in L&D without previous hands-on med experience.

Call your area hospitals' HR offices and ask them what their requirements are specifically.

Good luck.

[Ortho_RN]

At the hospitals here, once you have finished your first semester they will hire you as a PCA/CNA and not require you to be certified, b/c they consider your first semester enough for you to be able to provide basic care...

Be sure to let them know that you are a CURRENT student in an actual nursing program. Talk to the nurse recruiter instead of personnell.. Try that :)

Good Luck...

[maire, ASN, RN]

Around here, the recruiters went nuts with us...once we finished our first semester we could get an externship with many of the nearby hospitals. CNA certification wasn't required or necessary.

[ksrn2004]

Thanks for the responses everybody! Well, after all my worries, I finally got the call! I got the job!! I am soooo excited! I start next week as a PCT (pt care tech). It's a prn position which is what I wanted anyway, as I'm not sure how much I'll be able to work once school starts again, as I hear 2nd semester's pretty tough. Hopefully though, I'll gain some experience this summer & keep up my practice with what I've learned so far!

[maire, ASN, RN]

Way to go, Jen, that's great! :)

[MJ-12]

Congrats Jen ! !

Good luck at your new job