I need to get out of Customer Service?

[2bnurseiaguy]

Hi, I'm Ryan I'm new to allnurses.com but have visited the site many times! This is a wonderful resource! I am currently on the path returning to college for nursing at 25, I almost have a Lib Arts 2 yr degree but in the beginning stages of nursing classes. I am currently trying to get my CNA but was unable to register for classes this semester due to the competition to get into them! I currently work in call center customer service that is completely not related to healthcare what so ever and everyday is struggle, I am not happy and feel like a failure because I want to get on the road to my health care career, but all I get offered for is customer service jobs. Any suggestions about what positions I could qualify for while in school or any positions in healthcare that would be a good start of a non traditional college student? Any information you could give would be great!

Thank you!

[♑ Capricorn ♑]

Hi Ryan. :) Welcome to allnurses.

You can try applying to long term care facilities in your area for CNA positions. I know some that will hire you and then train you to be a CNA. At least in my area some do that. If that is not an option, then I suggest maybe trying again next semester at your school, but make sure to register early enough so you will be seated in the classes you need.

As far as jobs, people skills are very important in any job. And, as a nurse or CNA you will need excellent communication skills. If you are not happy in the job that you are currently in you can always find something new. Anything in retail or service industry is a good start. I've heard waitressing/waiter, bartending, retail associate, sales could be good. You can always apply to hospitals and determine what you are qualified for. Or, even volunteering in hospitals will give you good experience.

Good luck to you.

[Glenna, LPN]

First off, you're not a failure. You try, you fail, you try, you fail...and the only true failure is if you stop trying. To me, you are still trying. Keep your head up my friend. Yes call centers can be rather daunting, my parents have worked in them for years. So I have a good idea of the kinda struggles you are dealing with there, it can be a rather mind numbing job but that's okay. You have found that your passion is nursing, I say go for it.

I've noticed myself that it is rather hard to get into school at times, I swear it is like a battle feild to get into pre-nursing classes. I got a bunch of my classes done for nursing and they changed so many things around that it was making it nearly impossible to get into an RN program...so I decided to go the LPN route. Anyway, that's another story...

So, you wanted to get into a CNA program but it was filled up already, yeah? If I were you, I wouldn't give up on that. Keep trying until you get in. In the mean time though, I would look at local assisted places. A lot of times they will have job postings for caregivers and you don't need to have your CNA to do that kind of work. I did caregiving for about nine months before I finally went and got my CNA 1 (long term care) then later my CNA 2 (acute care) and worked in the surgical department for three years. The pay as a caregiver isn't that great but hey, it looks good on the resume, it gets your foot in the door in the healthcare industry and then you'll get your CNA and before you know it when you are a nurse applying for work you have created yourself a nice little history in healthcare.

I hope that this somewhat helps. GOOD LUCK!

[2bnurseiaguy]

Hey thank you both for the information! I know I am not a failure, I don't feel like a failure i just feel stuck but it will pass, I am looking for those golden opportunities the more I know the more successful I will be.

[Griffin123]

Hey Ryan! I saw your thread and thought I'd weigh in on the subject. I also have an associate's in arts and incidentally work in a call center for a satellite tv company. The best advice I can offer is keep on going with school. As horrible as it sounds (and I am intimately familiar with the high stress, high turnover rate of call centers) the misery should serve to reinforce your desire to pursue a more rewarding career and hopefully improve your performance in school. I'm not sure how it is in your area but in mine the local hospital will frequently hire nursing students who have completed their first semester in nursing school. They'll hire them as patient care techs. It also gives the hospitals a great way to see what type of employee you are (do you have a good work ethic, do you miss days at work, do you have a good attitude, etc). This also gives you an opportunity to learn a little bit about their organization and gives you hands on experience in the field. It may be worthwhile to call the HR department at your local hospital and see if they do anything similar to this.

Above all don't get discouraged and stay focused on making good grades.