I can't get a hospital job!

Acosmo27 · Jul 18, 2008

For the past couple months Ive been trying to get a job on my own as a nurses assistant (uncertified) and couldn't do it.

I would apply to every job that popped up on the hospitals website and never would get a call back. Around where I live, dropping your application off is not really an option, especially where I wanted to work.

Finally being fed up, I talked to my friend who worked as a NA at the hospital i wanted to work at. She got in contact with a manager, and gave me the managers name/number/email. I called her, they werent hiring. I said, "well can i come drop off my resume just in case you guys are hiring in the future?"... she said sure, why not. Well she called me a month later, and now I have a job.

It makes me a little frustrated to think about it though because I would never have gotten a job here if I didnt know anybody who worked there.

Sadly, sometimes I think its all about who you know. Do you have anybody that can help you get in contact with a manager or whoever else handles the hiring? You must be proactive! Good luck!

gonzo1224 · Jul 18, 2008

"Do you have anybody that can help you get in contact with a manager or whoever else handles the hiring? You must be proactive!"

My sister is very involved with Animal Assisted Therapy at that hospital, and today she and I walked in to Human Resources (with the dog!) with an extra copy of my resume and a couple of articles that I appeared in (about my volunteer community work), and we got it into the hands of somebody who said she would get it to the recruiter for the position I applied for.

I believe that something good will come of this! In the meantime, I am still welcoming any advice y'all might have!

Thanks!

ilstu99 · Jul 18, 2008

Try applying in-person. I didn't have much luck with online applications, but was offered every job I applied for in-person.

'Yes' to the "Do nursing students have priority over "just a CNA" question. At least they would at our hospital. They come in as RN's much better prepared and understanding of what the job entails. However, that doesn't negate the need for "just CNA's."

Itshamrtym · Jul 18, 2008

Just keep trying.... It will happend for you... I know that in the mean time it must be frustrating for you.. hang in there!!! Have you thought about LTC @ all?? Would most likely have to go a step farther and get your GNA, but you could do that... A lot of LTC centers have sub-acute areas, so you perhaps could use PCT skills etc. too.. Take care and good luck.

Mara123RN · Jul 18, 2008

I don't know. Wonder if your legal experience is scaring them off.

icedtea · Jul 18, 2008

I was a newspaper photographer for 30 years. I was out of work (long story) and got a volunteer job as a "family assistant" in the emergency room of a large level I trauma center when I was 52 years old. I was then hired to do the family assistant job for pay. From there I went to CNA school and became a CNA in the same place. Now I have just finished my first year of nursing school and I am 55 years old. So, volunteer.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Jul 18, 2008

i'm not sure how it is in ill , but where i live the hospitals arn't hiring Cna's or LPN's much anymore. our hospital has only RN's and maybe 2 cna's for 35 patients.. and one of them gets sent home early.. the hospitals are turning away from Cna's and LPn's and heading toward RN's only , we get less pt's and do compete care ( which bites ) . the RN's never get called off or sent home early. i wish we did , i would love a extra day off... you may want to try LTC ... they use Cna's alot... good luck and keep us posted... take care

widi96 · Jul 18, 2008

Hospitals do tend to like Nursing Students because they like to recruit them when they graduate.

Having said that - there is NO SUCH THING as 'just a CNA'. CNA's are a valuable asset to the hospital and the care of our patients. Your work is very important - please don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise.

RN1989 · Jul 18, 2008

I don't think it necessarily is a problem with you. Facilities are notorious for advertising for open positions when they have no intention of hiring. Yes, it does happen, have seen it personally. But it looks bad to the public and the staff to NOT advertise. By advertising they can appease the staff and the public and then state that they haven't had any qualified applicants. Keep trying!

RNrural · Jul 18, 2008

My experience tells me to tell you to keep trying! I went through the same type of situation. CNA in my late 30's, had worked some in LTC. I visited the DON face to face and finally got a job in the hospital. After 8 years on the floor, I decided at the age of 47 to go to nursing school. Graduated in May and passed the NCLEX-RN last week at the age of 49! Do not give up, it can be done!!:nuke:

aka CNArural

now RNrural...new RN at 49!! :lol2:

SweetTeaRN, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2008

I don't think it necessarily is a problem with you. Facilities are notorious for advertising for open positions when they have no intention of hiring. Yes, it does happen, have seen it personally. But it looks bad to the public and the staff to NOT advertise. By advertising they can appease the staff and the public and then state that they haven't had any qualified applicants. Keep trying!

I agree with this. I was actually told when I was applying for RN jobs at the hospital where I was a tech that HR posts "dummy jobs" to keep interest high. Not to say that they weren't hiring at all, but they would post unavailable jobs in desirable units to attract applicants and then tell them that they had openings on another unit. I would try calling HR and asking if they have any high-need areas or shifts. Even if it's not a unit you're ultimately interested in, once you have your foot in the door somewhere it may be easier to transfer if you don't like the unit.