How Can I Get a Good Hospital Job Without a License?

[celtickimba]

Just wondering if anyone has some advice on how a student nurse can get a job in a hospital without a professional license. I just got a phlebotomy certification and am now taking an EKG class in effort to be marketable. I also just took my NCLEX LVN. Not sure what happened there yet, but I would like to get some kind of job in a hospital while I work my way through my BSN. Yes, I'm not wasting any time in working for a higher education and I believe that any kind of hospital experience with be beneficial. I have heard some say that its pretty easy to get a job as a cardiac monitor tech, however, I just am not sure how to go about applying for it.

Any advice on what kind of jobs I may apply for and what I should say on my resume?

Thank you in advance.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

A student nurse cannot get a job without being qualififed to do that job; if they hire LVNs and you hold that license, you are qualified for that. If they only hire RNs.....then no. That said, you could work as a PCT if they don't require nursing assistants to be certified. I would think you'd need some kind of certification to get a job as a monitor tech (not sure about "pretty easy"; if you have the qualifications the job posting requests, then good....if you don't....not so easy!).

Take a look at the hospital's website where you would like to apply, and read the postings. What do they require? Do you have those skills/certs? If yes...apply. :)

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The only "nursing" position that a student can have without a license is as a nurse extern. Not all facilities offer this option, nor is it a permanent position- usually only available during the summer and essentially a CNA with a few extra allowed duties (at least in my facility- inserting foleys [limited to RNs- UAP not allowed to insert foleys anymore] and passing some meds under supervision of an RN).

There are other positions that students can take that are more permanent: unit clerk/secretary, patient care assistant, CNA if took the course, phlebotomy if completed, etc. While not nursing, these positions can allow you to create an employment history within a facility, contacts that can be professional references, and access to internal job postings. Many hospitals have removed LPNs from the acute care areas. In my facility, you will only find them scattered in a few units that are primarily dealing with outpatient or scheduled admissions such as the preop area.

It all comes down to what you think will benefit you and what path you want to take.

[OCNRN63, RN]

If you just took NCLEX-LVN, then you're not a student nurse, you're a graduate nurse. Haven't you gotten your results yet? Where did you take your NCLEX?

[Anonymous1257]

If you just took NCLEX-LVN, then you're not a student nurse, you're a graduate nurse. Haven't you gotten your results yet? Where did you take your NCLEX?

^ This exactly, you're now a "graduate nurse" and qualified to work as a nurse *under supervision* until you find out if you either passed or failed. If you failed, then you'll most likely be let go. If you passed, then congrats, you get to be a real nurse now. Start applying to LVN positions and inform employers of when you took the NCLEX and when you expect to get the results.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Some States allow RN nursing students to sit the LVN boards after completing the first year or so of RN courses. The OP could still be an RN student & (possibly) a licensed LVN.