Hospital job with no experience???

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · May 24, 2006

Oh yes it is possible! I know one nurse who started in Housekeeping! Another started as a Nurse Helper (not the same as a CNA). Others start as Transporters or Unit Secretaries.

Be persistent, keep applying, keep calling. You might even take a volunteer position in order to make the important connections that can help get you where you want to work.

Best of luck.

smilin_gp · May 24, 2006

My first hospital job was in medical records, it was a start :)

maliat · May 25, 2006

I just went to a job fair today and talked to some of the recruiters at some of the hospitals in my area. I was under the impression that they really meant it when they said you needed 6 months - 1 year experience for even a unit secretary or clerk job. But I was told that if you have the office skills and customer service experience, that should be enough. I was also told specifically by a recruiter to include the fact I had been admitted to nursing school and that would help my application.

I'm so glad I went and asked. It was so worth the $1.

Malia

moonischasingme1 · May 25, 2006

I actually had a phone interview today to be a patient care tech at a very large hospital. Since I have no hospital (or even healthcare) experience, he said I could not work as a PCT, but he was going to try and get me an interview as unit secretary or something else to get my foot in the door and eventually move up!

So I guess there is a chance:)

WDWpixieRN, RN · May 26, 2006

Great chain as I start school in the fall and will need to work at least 20 or so hours a week so I can afford to pay for a car, insurance, etc., to go to school!!

I had applied online to a local hospital a year or so ago when I wasn't quite ready to quit my IT job and never heard anything, but I figured in August when I am ready and will be needing the job, I will just go and stand in an HR at some of the many hospitals in my area until someone decides maybe I'm not really over-qualified, and serious, and really do want the job! Thanks!

poetress9er · May 26, 2006

I have no experience in nursing watsoever and I really want to work or at least shadow a nurse.

I'm actually volunteering right now in a hospital helping the Neurosurgical Division with filing, answering fones, etc. The place has 3 facilities: residence, clinic, and administrative. I'm helping at the administrative facility right now.

My problems: (1) this hospital doesn't really have a shadowing program. (2) How do i get a job without any experience?

How do you guys go about looking for shadowing positions? Or how do I find jobs relative to nursing but not necessarily one that requries a certification?

JaxiaKiley · May 26, 2006

Yeah, I want to get a job as a unit sec or something before I start school, but it is so hard to get noticed.

Travellpro · May 26, 2006

My mom is a nurse so she took me to work with her one night. It was fun! She also hooked me up with a person in NICU so I got to tour that department too. My local hospital here will allow you to shadow if you are enrolled in classes (any classes, doesn't have to be nursing as long as you have a background check on file at the school). Maybe you could check with a different hospital in the area and see if they will let you shadow.

bpo93 · May 26, 2006

what exactly is "shadowing" and how does it work?

i don't get out much. :rolleyes:

patty

chadash · May 26, 2006

Will hospitals allow you to shadow as a NA for really reduced or no pay?

Travellpro · May 28, 2006

Shadowing is where you follow a nurse around for the day or for a few hours to see what they do. You usually have to sign a form for patient confidentiality (sp?). So it's just to get a feel for what a nurse does on a day to day basis. It is not like volunteering or anything like that. You don't DO anything, you just watch.