Job prospect for males

[kabooski]

Hello fellow murses :)

I am about to start my last semester here in Florida. I have made it a point to keep a positive attitude through-out my nursing school journey and have not pondered the "what Ifs"

As I near the end, I have begun to apply to Nurse Tech positions with the goal of gaining more hospital experience and also making connections. I have applied a dozen times so far, mostly for "per diem"/ Pool positions, which require only a few shifts per month. I have had no luck, not even a call or request for an interview.

Like many of us males, we do not have previous CNA backgrounds, as compared to our female counterparts. So my resume "work experience" contains zero hospital or patient care jobs, but I meet 100% the job qualifications and description for a "Nurse Tech". They also have "Patient Care Techs" and those are reserved for CNA/Techs with a State License.

I'm starting to get a bit worried that if I can not get hired, nevertheless even make it out of the HR office to the nurse manager's desk for consideration for a Tech position, I am screwed when it comes to get hired as GN, since I will pretty much have the same info/background on the resume.

I went over my resume and cover letter with my cousin, who is works in the HR department of a federal department in D.C

GPA 3.55

Any tips/pointers?

[mrsboots87]

Your issue has nothing to do with your gender. There are plenty of male CNAs and not all female student nurses are CNAs. There could be many factors playing against you. Even though a nurse intern or tech job may not specify needing CNA certification, there may be many actual CNAs (both male and female) applying for them. From HR perspective, they will prefer certifications if enough of them apply. There could also be many applicants with similar resumes to yours and you just didnt get picked for interview. You could be applying to late. Recruiters will usually only look at so many resumes. It is best to apply within a day or two of a posting to maximize your chance of even having your resume looked at.

Also, when you graduate and are licensed, your application will not be the same. You will have RN after your name, and you will have a license number. CNA or tech experience is helpful, but it is not the end all say all of what is needed to get a job. GL

[happyinmyheart]

I'm not sure what this has to do with gender. Nursing provides equal opportunities to males and females. I know many males who have their CNA, and many females who don't, and vice versa. The nursing job market is tough in many areas- don't give up hope!

[Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B]

Male CNA checkin YO!

[nursephillyphil, BSN, RN]

gender and gpa will not play a role in your employment.

[kabooski]

Thanks for the reply's. I just feel that I need to start networking and by the accounts of the nurses that I worked with during my clinical rotations, they had jobs lined up before graduation, and this was largely due to them getting to know the nurse managers during their tech jobs. Another point I want to make is that in my rather large class 100+ we had 18 male nursing students. I do not think I've seen a total of 18 male RN's in all the floors I have been in so far. But, I suspected as much when I went into this, so I'm mentally prepared. I'm also not they only male student applying for tech jobs. Only 2 have gotten hired, compared to 10+ females with the same exact education and clinical experience. When you state that gender plays no role, the stats just do not support that unfortunately. I'm sure it differs depending on how progressive the community one lives in is.

I did a observation day in endoscopy and was told my an older RN of the tropics, why I was doing nursing, that it is not suited for males, and to try doing the PA route after my BSN. This is the only negative feed back I have received in 5 different clinical rotations.

I'll report back, classes start again tomorrow.....Peace

[203bravo, MSN, APRN]

By chance.. do you list on your applications that you are currently in nursing school and are graduating in May? All positions require resources, time, and money to hire someone new and many hiring managers frown on someone that they know that they are going to have to replace very soon.

Don't take it personally.. it's just business.

[kabooski]

Update! Things looking much better lol :) :) Can't divulge too much info at this time, but staying positive is my quiding principle

[mrsboots87]

Again, you are applying gender to your woes. So there are 100 student in your class. 2 of 18 have gotten a job. That means that 10 out of 88 females have gotten a job. Simple math shows that roughly 11% of BOTH genders equally have gotten jobs while in school. That would show that the males had the same chance of getting a job. There may be more females with jobs but that is simply because there are more females in your class. And not seeing that many males on your clinical days means nothing. Nurses work only a couple days a week. Plus they are spread among many floors. Yes, there are more female nurses in the field. And there may be some places that discriminate. But the majority of facilities dont care your gender. Just that you can get the job done. But based on your most recent post, it sounds like things are better today. Good luck in whatever has gotten your spirits up.

[CoachChris]

The best advice I've gotten is to start thinking about a job once you are less than 12 months from graduation. There are areas in the country with overages (more applicants and jobs) and shortages (more jobs than applicants). I've started to look at areas where I'd like to work and am compiling lists of facilities in those areas. Once I've got my list I will do a little research on the hiring process in each potential job site. I'll also talk to people in my personal network to see if there are any mutual friends who could help me get a job in one of those places. Over the summer I'll visit potential job sites and introduce myself to HR people and some nursing managers. Next fall, while I'm in my last semester, I will be relentlessly following through on any lead that comes my way.

I guess I'm trying to say this: Getting a job is a job. In this economy jobs just don't happen. Hiring someone is an investment for any organization, including hospitals. You have to sell yourself and convince the people making hiring decisions that you are the best investment they can make when it comes to hiring for whatever position they are looking for.

Since the days of internet applications I have always gone in within a day or two of submitting an online application and personally introduced myself to someone in the HR department. "I submitted my application the other day, I am really excited about this hospital and the opportunity to work here, is there anything else I can provide you that will help you take a serious look at me?" If I know someone in the organization I will give them a call and say, "Hey, I just applied for this position in your organization. I'm thinking I'd be a really good fit for the job. What do you think?......Is there any chance you could put a word in for me with the person doing the hiring for that position?"

Again, it is work getting a job. Jobs just don't happen!

I guarantee you, your gender has nothing to do with your lack of job offers. There are lots of men in nursing, particularly in the ED and ICUs.

You say you've applied for a dozen jobs... that's just scratching the surface. I personally know people who've applied for well over 100 jobs throughout the country.

Several of our new hires are graduates of local schools who moved to NY, TX, CO, IL, and WV to begin their careers. If you're only applying locally, you're severely limiting your options and you should expect it to take a very long time to find a job.

[RunBabyRN]

I think you're the only one making your gender an issue. For the most part, jobs don't care about your gender.

I hope that the lead you have is working out!