How does a CNA get hired at a hospital !

toi121 · May 3, 2010

To be honest.....its who you know. I recently got an interview and an offer from a hospital and CNA...but I also have been appling for the hospital since I left high school. I want to say it was the luck of the draw but just keep appling and updating your resume. But I do know they want at least 6 months - a year of experience in your field.....I hope that helps

toi121 · May 3, 2010

But have family and friends....even the nurse I shawdowed....all said its about who you know to get employed in the hospital.. One nurse told me she spoke with one of her nursing instructors and they spoke with a hiring manager in the hospital who gave her her big break

smp077 · May 4, 2010

toi121

Thank you so much for your response. I had heard this . But I didn't want to believe it. I shall keep on applying . The person I know is God. I believe with God's help a hospital position will soon be mine.

thanks again

ToBANurse2010 · May 9, 2010

i you find a job in the hospital let me know how you landed that!!! i've been applying for jobs at hosptials for a while (3-5 yrs), and i'm still waiting my turn. i don't know anybody personally that works in a hosptial. "it's all about who you know, not what you now." :twocents:

SnowStar4 · May 10, 2010

i disagree. i found a great job and had other offers..without knowing a soul.

the key is confidence and persistence.

it's tough out there right now...i know it sucks but you have to have patience. i applied to what seemed like a billion jobs before i suddenly started getting calls, but they did call.

smp077 · May 10, 2010

Thank you for your response.

Aongroup1990, CNA · May 31, 2012

yes it is who you know.. because communication is important but sometimes you can do it yourself if you make yourself known through a cover letter, resume, and just being yourself. you have to think outside of the box, dress professionally..i wish i had a job in the hospital. saying it is totally different than doing it.

IHeartPeds87 · Jun 30, 2012

It is difficult to find a job at a hospital. Honestly, I kept applying and kept calling nurse recruiters. Finally, here is what I did that worked for me.

I looked at the specific job description and it stated the unit number. I called the hospital and asked for that unit. I was connected and asked the person who answered what the unit's manager's name was and if I could be connected to the manager. I now had the unit manager's name. I was able to use google and the hospital website to find the unit manager's email address. I adressed my cover letter specifically to the unit manager. I made copies of my cover letter, resume, all my certifications (pct, bls), a copy of my acceptance to nursing school, plus two reccomendation letters that I had. I made three copies of each one of these because I wanted to be prepared to give it to whoever asked for it. Also, I was dressed in business casual clothes while I did this, and a suit for the interview.

I walked on to the unit one day and asked for the manager. This may not work for some people- it did NOT work at every hospital. But it did at this one.

I walked on to the unit and the manager was not there that day. Another nurse however was, and she happenned to be the assistant to the manager. I explained my situation as fast as I could and handed her a folder with all my paperwork. I also asked her where the unit manager's office was, and slipped another folder under the unit manager's door. I thanked her profusely for her time and willingness to do this for me. I also emailed just my cover letter and resume to the manager directly and stated what I had done.

I got an email back from the manager within three days stating that she would be doing interviews within two weeks time. I send a response back thanking her for getting back with me. In ten days I emailed her again stating my continued interest in the position and I flat out asked for an interview. I was given one. She emailed me back and six days later I had the interview. The interview went well, she showed me around the unit and we hit it off pretty well. After the interview, I went to the lobby and wrote out a thank you card (that I had purchased and brought with me to the interview). I went back to her office and dropped off a thank you card for her and dropped off another one I had brought for her assistant.

I am now a PCT on the unit. It isn't my first choice unit because it isn't the specialty that I want, but for now I am really happy to be in a hospital. I have learned more in my first three shifts than I learned in over a year of working home health/LTC. While you do see/learn a lot in LTC and home health just the vast amount of interaction that you have with nurses in a hospital setting is unparalled. You are right there in the middle of all the action. I have already learned and gotten to do so much! Everyone has been really nice.

Don't get me wrong - this tactic may or may not work for you. It did NOT work at every hospital that I applied for...and I applied to every hospital and every position I was qualified for that was within driving distance from me. This was one of two positions that I received offers from. I was granted an interview for another position using the same tactic...I turned down that offer because the shifts were 8 hours instead of 12 and the nurse manager at my current job seemed much more supportive of nursing school and essentially guaranteed that If I gave her my school schedule she would schedule me around it. The other nurse manager didn't seem as supportive.

This is what worked for me. Some hospitals, it doesn't work at. Some hospitals wouldn't let me go to the unit directly or wouldn't give me the unit managers name. I did this and honestly only after I started doing that did I get any responses from anyone!! My manager even told me that most of the people she hires are hired this way because she gets so many applications.

Good luck to you. Keep trying - it is COMPLETELY worth it. My biggest advice to you is to do what I did and do NOT be picky about units, shifts, or specific hospitals. I came into this process thinking "I am going to apply for what I want" and the reality of the situation is that I applied for whatever I was qualified for. I applied for over forty positions and got...two.