Getting the Foot in the Door

[PinkRose34, MSN, RN]

Hi Everyone,

I was hoping someone could give me advice on how I can get my foot in the hospital door.

So here's my story. I got my RN license last April 2016. I got a job in a Sub-Acute and Rehab facility a few months later (June). I wanted to start gaining my peds experience, so last November I got a part time job at a day care for medically fragile children.

I would love to work at a hospital, but I live in an area where it's extremely competitive and all open nursing position require at least a year of acute care experience. Moving is out of the question for me because of my family. I was thinking of applying for a job at my dream hospital as a secretary or CNA to get my foot in the door and start networking. I already volunteer at this hospital, but d/t juggling 2 jobs I can only go there for the required 2 hours a week.

Is this a good idea? Has anyone done this in the past and was able to land a nursing position at the hospital? If it's a bad idea, do you have any other suggestions?

Thank you in advance for you help! :)

[Atl-Murse]

Get your BSN and one year experience.

[Elizabeth777, BSN, RN]

If you already have your RN license, you cannot work as a CNA. While I understand your want to"get your foot in the door", I don't think that either of those jobs would help you get into the RN role. Keep working at your current jobs for at least a year and then start applying to RN jobs at the hospital. It may state a year of acute experience, but they may make exceptions for an RN with experience.

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Work your current jobs for at least a year and then apply for the hospital job. Are you volunteering on a unit you would like to work on? If do, that is a great place to start learning and making connections with the staff and manager. Ask questions when appropriate, learn whatever you can, and offer to help with tasks within your scope as a volunteer. If you feel comfortable with it, maybe even have a quick conversation with the manager and find out what they look for in a successful applicant, and indicate your interest in working there after you gain RN experience. All of those things will not only prepare you for the job, but will prepare the unit to hopefully accept you into the team when you're able.

[PinkRose34, MSN, RN]

Thank you guys for your fast response and advise! I truly appreciate it!

I actually have my MSN in nursing. I did a MSN-Entry program for non-nurses.

My volunteer role at the hospital is being a bedside companion to patients who need it, so I'm not always on the same unit of the hospital. But you do bring up a great point, thank you. I'll make the most of it, ask questions, and show them that I would be a great nurse to work with someday.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

If you can move into an LTAC, that would provide a better launching pad because it is acute care also.

Sorry you're having so much difficulty, but try not to take it personally. There is a surplus of new grads in many areas of the country. Another issue may be your pre-licensure degree.... hiring managers in my organization are actively avoiding entry level MSNs in favor of generic (1st choice) and ABSN (2nd choice) due to problems they've experienced.