Job advice from experienced nurses?

[trauma_lama, BSN]

Hello nurse men and women! I didn't post here because it's a nursing discussion, but because I want advice from you seasoned nurses who had to start at the bottom just like me...

Okay, long story short, I got my CNA license summer 2010. I was taking full time nursing pre-recs for the last year and didn't have time to work but I do now and I really want some experience. I begin my clinical nursing program this fall and am scheduled to graduate with my ADN in May 2013. Here is my series of questions...

-If I want to end up nursing in a hospital, will it benefit me to have hospital experience as a CNA (i.e. is it worth my time to bust my hump to get onboard at one of the area hospitals)? It's not that i'm "above" working in a SNF/ALF/etc, I'm just hoping to get a job somewhere that I will learn more about healing/recovery/trauma (from observation but hands-on whenever possible) and from what i've heard, the live-in facilities are more focused on basic ADLs...?

-I cannot seem to get called for a job, or even an interview. There are 3 huge healthcare systems in my area, and I've applied online to MANY CNA jobs on the healthcare system websites. The application process is pretty black and white (yes or no questions, license numbers and expiration dates, etc). The only point where I'm able to make myself stand out is where I can attach a resume...My only clinical experience is 40hrs clinical rotation in my CNA class, so I don't have that in my favor but I do have a strong GPA in my classes and a lot of mgt experience in retail. I'm not sure how to compose a resume that will make me appealing to a health care hiring manager??

I have so much to give and so much to learn and I just want someone to give me a chance to show how awesome I can be for a unit, a patient, a charge nurse, a hospital. Any tips on how to get my foot in the door? Please help, I really am a dedicated person and student (and nurse-to-be) but this 4 months of applying and getting NOTHING back is really starting to drag me down...and I don't think it's lack of experience, because 3 of my CNA classmates have been hired on at hospitals now...do you just have to know somebody to get an "in?"

Okay, I'm sorry. Thanks a lot for your input, hope you have a GREAT day.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Have you tried to get a job at the same hospital where your friends are now employed?

Yes, working in a hospital as a CNA would benefit you in nursing school and would hopefully help you secure a job at the same place. No promises though in this economy, but usually it does.

They are looking for people that have good customer relations, multi tasking and team work. I would really play those three up and also let them know you are working toward your RN and want to stay at this facility. Then tell them why YOU want to work for THEM. Know the history of the facility and their values and mission statement. That might help you stand out a bit more.

Good luck

[meltnpointofwax]

I know you wanted advice from experienced nurses, but I wanted to comment about working in a hospital as a CNA. I'm graduating nursing school in December and currently work in a hospital as a tech. I was hoping to get to experience a lot of the things you mentioned, but honestly I'm so busy taking care of the total care patients, vitals, ADL's that there's not a lot of time for me to learn about more nursing like things. It does however, make me feel more confident in nursing school clinicals around my patients. So that's a major plus And my manager did say that there will be a spot waiting for me when I graduate.

Just keep applying, I applied for my job 3 times before they called me. Good luck! :heartbeat

[thebodhitree]

I'm a student too, but I thought I'd put my 2 cents in. I've been working at a SNF for 3 yrs. I graduate in Dec. as an RN and I just got hired at a major hospital (CNA), where I will start in a week. Especially with the economy the way it is and hospitals can be more picky about candidates having experience, you may consider putting some time in at a SNF, and then later, trying to get in to a hospital. Just my thoughts. That's how I planned it for myself, and hopefully my plans will work in my favor and I will get hired as an RN when I graduate. It is much easier to get in to a SNF and you could build up some experience. Good luck to you!

[novairene]

I do not know where you live, but some hospitals hire student nurses. Some require you have completed a semester of clinicals. I think the pay is the same as a tech/CNA. Just something you may want to look into. You will probably get more experience that way.

[myty23]

Don't just apply online. Print out copies of your resume, dress up like you are going in for an interview, and go to each floor of the hospital, introduce yourself to the manager and personally hand them your resume. Tell them you applied online and you are really intersted in the job, tell them you are going to nursing school and you want a long future with them. The only way to get a job is to make yourself known. You are a needle in a haystack in online applications. My husband applied for tech jobs over and over again...then he walked in the the hospital like I just described and almost hired on the spot by the first manager he talked to...yes he still had to jump through the hoops by applying online, etc, but she knew him and liked him at that point and made sure he got the job. I also have gotten jobs this way too. Never have gotten a job by just applying online.

[myty23]

Also, being a CNA is great experience for nursing. I am a tech at the hospital right now and have learned a great deal in patient care, not specific nursing duties, but basic patient care that it seems many nurses think they are not responsible for doing. I have learned the job of the tech/CNA and when I am a nurse will respect their job and understand what it's like to be in their shoes much more than if I never had this job. It's very obvious at times which nurses were techs before and which ones weren't. I know what kind of nurse I want to be more now than before I was ever a tech. I also am much more comfortable on the floor and working with people and patietns in the hospital.

[trauma_lama, BSN]

thank you guys SO much for all your wisdom! its nice to hear that other people had some difficulty getting onboard in hospitals too...i am not alone! my husband is in surgery RIGHT THIS MINUTE actually (ACL repair) and i'm here in a wife capacity but part of me is itchin' to ask around about jobs, haha! nope, we'll save that for another day. i'm here to care take my husband today, NOT a random pt. ;-) thanks again for your advice. i think i will dress up and head out to some area hospitals once i get my husband all situated post-op.