How Do I Get My Foot in the Door?

CVmursenary · Mar 25, 2011

try to contact a manager directly. Go to the unit that you feel like applying to with a resume in hand. Ask to speak to the nurse manager and show your interest. You'll need something to speak about that sets you apart so maybe read up on your area of interest and take acls if you feel like it. Know the facilities mission statement.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 25, 2011

What is a 2 year pre nursing degree?

Volunteer.

tamadrummer · Mar 25, 2011

What is a 2 year pre nursing degree?
Volunteer.

I am glad I am not the only one, wondering this!

Do you mean you have your prerequisites done for a BSN?

If you have 2 years experience as a CNA, you should have enough experience to apply at all your local hospitals. Get into nursing school and add that to your resume and then go get a job in a hospital. Volunteering is another helpful way to get some face time on the floors.

I am a second year student in an ADN program, hoping to get a PRN Nurse Tech position in one of the many hospitals here. My brother in law is a CRNA at one of them but they have no openings yet. Maybe next week. :)

cnasarah · Mar 25, 2011

What is a 2 year pre nursing degree?
Volunteer.

Hi! A 2 year Pre Nursing Degree is the first two years of a BSN. 2 years of prerequisites such as Nutrition, Chemistry, Biochemistry, A+P, as well as Statistics, Psychology, English, etc. Once I get that degree, I gather everything else and apply for the BSN program

cnasarah · Mar 25, 2011

thanks everyone! these are great suggestions!

I have heard a Pre-Nursing degree get called an ADN as well, but at my college they all all say "pre-nursing" 2 year transfer. Kinda confusing.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 25, 2011

I didn't think prereqs constituted a degree. Huh.

tamadrummer · Mar 25, 2011

I didn't think prereqs constituted a degree. Huh.

They don't!

And no your pre-req's are not comparable to an ADN. You have zero clinical hours, no nursing core classes and honestly you have no clue what you are in for.

I have been a straight "A" student in everything for my entire life........Not any more, nursing core classes are not a joke! Please do not make the jump from pre-req's to ADN, they are not even close!

cnasarah · Mar 25, 2011

I didn't think prereqs constituted a degree. Huh.

Yep! Here in the state of Washington at least. However, you can't get an ADN/pre-req degree and get a raise or promotion. The only thing that you are now qualified for is (hopefully) admission into a BSN program.

cnasarah · Mar 25, 2011

They don't!
And no your pre-req's are not comparable to an ADN. You have zero clinical hours, no nursing core classes and honestly you have no clue what you are in for.
I have been a straight "A" student in everything for my entire life........Not any more, nursing core classes are not a joke! Please do not make the jump from pre-req's to ADN, they are not even close!

I think there is a misunderstanding. My college advisors all use pre-nursing and ADN interchangeably when describing the transfer degree I am about to get. They are NOT referring to a RN degree. Maybe the terms are different depending on where you are.

And I do have clinical hours with my degree, so it is strange that you would say I have no idea what I am in for. I am not sure why you are upset but there is really no need! :-)

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 25, 2011

I'm not upset, I am confused. Is your present school conferring some degree before you transfer, and if so what?

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Mar 25, 2011

Who cares? She's asking about hospital work, not school. People around here get so uppity about these things. You'd think nurses were the only people in the world who ever went to college.

OP, it seems like you have plenty of CNA experience in different settings. The only thing I can suggest is to volunteer and also apply to all different shifts so you'll be considered for whatever they're actually hiring for.