Frustrated...student nurse can't find pct job in MD

Nursing Students Technicians

Published

I will be starting my 2nd year of an RN program in Maryland and had hoped to find a hospital tech or student nurse job for the summer and during the school year. I have experience as a CMA and got the CNA after finishing my first year of the RN program. Well, I've applied to probably 100 jobs in all kinds of areas in several different hospitals since April and have not had one job offer. I apply every single day to every new job I see. I've contacted HR directly as well as nurse recruiters. I even had a nurse who was working at one of the hospitals speak to a manager who said she'd pull my application so a recruiter would call me for an interview. Well, that was weeks ago and still no call.

The only thing I do get is rejection notices practically every day for positions that I've applied for and am no longer being considered for. I was able to get an interview at 2 different hospitals. One of them was for a PRN, student nurse/tech in the ER. After waiting 3 wks following the interview, I was told the manager "decided to go with another candidate"....for who knows why! The other interview I had was in oncology. The HR and nurse manager seemed to like me and thought I'd be a good fit with the patients , but did have some "concerns" that I have not had any paid experience as a cna in the hospital. So, that one sounds like a long shot. They're supposed to be done interviewing next week.

Needless to say, I am beyond frustrated and am becoming quite depressed. I'm about ready to give up and just look for any job to pay the bills, but I really wanted to get experience in the hospital so I'd have a better chance once I become an RN and am trying to get hired. Has anyone else had this problem or does anyone have any suggestions or advice. I am out of ideas and losing hope in this whole process. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

That was what I've been thinking, but it's so frustrating! I guess I just have to be patient and hope that eventually I'll get a chance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I strongly recommend casting the net wider than just a CNA. I would look at any position you might be qualified for and then go for it. Did you have training for drawing blood as a CMA? If you did, consider trying to get a position in lab.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Unfortunately, although they taught us how to draw blood, we never actually did it on "real" people. We just used fake arms with a liquid inside to look like blood. So, I can't really say that I have experience drawing blood. I have applied to many other types of positions, CMA, escort, unit secretary etc....but still no calls. They wont' even consider me for escort positions, maybe since they know it would only be a temporary job or because I don't have experience as an escort. It seems I'm either over qualified or under qualified! The problem getting the CMA jobs is that I can't work normal office hours once the school year starts. So, they don't want to hire someone that can't work Monday through Friday 8-5 or whatever the normal office hours are. I am not giving up, but I do appreciate all of your suggestions!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What worked for me is that I attended a local job fair, brought my resume and told the hiring manager or director everything they'd need to know. What landed me 1 interview was my eagerness to learn. Another on spot interview I told the director everything she needed to know and the only thing she asked me was to interview with her staff. I went in for an interview and was offered the position the same day. What has worked for me is that although I have no health care exp and have nvr worked with pt or in a hosp I emphasize my eagerness to learn and my ease of accepting constructive criticism. Hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the suggestions. I have actually never tried going to a job fair. I always due try and emphasize my eagerness to learn and will make sure that I keep doing this. Glad you were able to get hired and hopefully I will soon be to!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Job fairs are good because you know the people there are looking to hire. I got my first EMT job at a public safety job fair.

I don't know if this is mentioned or not, but if its a large hospital system that gets a ton of applications, your application or resume probably gets checked by some software program that looks for key words and whether anyone actually looks at the application may depend on that. As for what key words to put into your resume, that's the tough part.

I still wouldn't rule out working at a LTC facility if it seems nice and well staffed and is in a nice area. I don't really miss working as a CNA but I do miss my elderly residents, they can be so much easier to deal with than younger patients even if they require more care. You don't have to deal with high strung demanding middle aged patients or the obnoxious whiney 20 something trauma patient. In a nursing home a lot of your residents are just pleasantly confused.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Were you ever able to get a job? It took me months and months. I have worked really hard to develop great credentials and I just couldn't understand what was wrong. I didn't have previous CNA experience but I worked in research and had plenty of clinical experience as a nursing student.

What FINALLY worked for me was changing the way I filled out those online applications. Instead of just putting one entry as nursing student in the employment history (plus entries for all of my other history), i entered every single rotation I had in school as if it were it's own job and gave a detailed description of everything I learned. So like my mental health, med surg I, med surg II, fundamentals, etc - everything had it's own section as if each were a job I had held. Then I went back all the way to 2002 with career experience. Suddenly I had two HR bites and ended up getting one of the jobs and to top it off it's in critical care and there may be opportunities after graduation for me. Just tweaking how I did those silly forms may have changed my whole career trajectory. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am happy to say that I did finally find a job! It took me 3 months, but I started on July 30th and really like it so far. I work in the oncology center of a hospital. It's not a regular inpatient tech job, but at least I got into a hospital. I'm getting trained in all of the different areas....infusion, radiation, etc.... I'm glad you found a job as well!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am happy to say that I did finally find a job! It took me 3 months, but I started on July 30th and really like it so far. I work in the oncology center of a hospital. It's not a regular inpatient tech job, but at least I got into a hospital. I'm getting trained in all of the different areas....infusion, radiation, etc.... I'm glad you found a job as well!

If you don't mind me asking, how long was the hiring process at the job you just recieved? It's been 2 weeks since I shadowed and sent my references in. Last week they told me the unit was still interviewing but I as still being considered. Is the process really this long?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Unfortunately, from my experience, HR depts are very slow. I had to call back and the manager had just been so busy she hadn't had the time to get things going. But, my call did expedite things. I know how frustrating the wait is, but don't give up! I truly believe the right one will come along for you, but it's not always at the time we want! Keep me posted!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment