Job searching is DISCOURAGING!

[Cammy84]

I have over 4 years of retail experience but I have decided to change careers and pick up where I left off in high school. I have gained knowledge in CNA, EKG, and Phlebotomy. I am certified as a CNA by the NYSDOH, certified as a PCT by the NHA, and certified to provide CPR and AED by the AHA. I am honest, compassionate, observant, and adaptable. I am a team player who can take orders, accept responsibility and I have a desire to learn and improve my skills. I'm really starting to become discouraged here. What's the point of wanting to do something better with your life if no one is willing to hire entry level ANYTHING? I'm a recent certified PCT with no experience outside the classroom and have been looking for a job now almost 2 months. Some say volunteer others say start off as a CNA but A) I can't afford to volunteer with my current situation and B) no one is hiring entry level CNA's. So how an I suppose to become a working PCT?

[SushiRN]

So I followed the steps from this thread that I found back in November: https://allnurses.com/success-stories-nursing/i-got-job-532817-new.html

and in the poster talks about how she super stalks recruiters and sends them her resumes thus scoring her dream job. All in the span of 3 weeks. It took me 2 weeks!! Ha!

I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I followed her suggestions and created a Linked In account, searched for recruiters, DONs, PCDs, at all the hospitals I wanted to work at. Snazzed up my resume and wrote a really great CL w/ an eye catching opening sentence "So&So Hospital is known for their mission in providing high-class patient care and satisfaction." Yup, I researched the hospitals and implemented their "vision" or "mission" statement in my CL. I used the tricks for the email addresses and verified them on verify-email.org sent them away on November 28th and 29th. I got 2 emails back from one hospital from the DONs saying that they are happy that I'm interested and I should apply online, yada, yada, yada. Wrote them back thanking them for their response. Then BOOM the 30th I got a call from a recruiter at their hospital! Coincidence?! I think not!!! Especially since I applied at this hospital 2 months prior with no call backs. Had a phone interview w/ the nurse recruiter. I really let my charismatic personality shine. She told me she would send mY resume to the PCD and I would hear back within the week. BOOM!! The VERY next morning I got a call back from her to set up an interview. Interviewed for the Total Joint Replacement Unit on Med/Surg on December 2nd. The interview went great. I met with the recruiter and we discussed benefits, interviewed with the PCD, had a panel interview with the nurses on the unit after the unit tour. Again, I let my sparkling personality shine and really pressed about my passion for patient care and team work. Met with the PCD again who said she wanted to hire me and would like me to continue in the hiring process. Did a drug screen that day and another phone interview the following monday. Then I got my official "You're Hired" call yesterday!! I start orientation on Jan. 9 making $10 more than I make now. I got my 12s on the night shift PLUS they are willing to work around my schedule w/ church and give me Thursday & Saturday nights off. And the HUGE plus is they want me to pursue my BSN and will pay 100% if I go to George Mason. What?!?!?! AND a $500 bonus once I get my BSN. DOUBLE WHAT?!?! The only thing is they require a 2 year contract after my 90 days, but I'm totally ok with that! They told me I can transfer to different units if it doesn't work out. So ecstatic!! Happy Dance!!! WHOOP WHOOP!!!

:clpty: :dncgbby::dancgrp::[anb]::monkeydance:

BOOOOO YOOOOOOOW!!!!

I hope her thread helps you too. Good luck!

[canchaser, BSN, RN]

I love linked in.. Found me lead in a new clinical documentation job there. Interviewing tomorrow :)

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Can u put yourself on job boards, like monster.com? Or go thru nursing/health care agencies to get work?

Sorry I'm not in the US so can't be of much help.

[starmickey03, MSN, RN]

I love linked in.. Found me lead in a new clinical documentation job there. Interviewing tomorrow :)

Ive found some people on LinkedIN recently, but havent contacted them yet since I wont be graduating for another 6 months. When you contacted them, did you just state that you were interested in a position? And did you contact them through the PM option on the LinkedIN site or find their private email and contact them?

[starmickey03, MSN, RN]

To the OP, apply for the jobs youre interested in and then make a call to the hospital. Tell them you want to be connected to "X" unit. When youre connected through to the appropriate unit simply ask for the clinical managers name. Once you have their name, email them.

Thats basically how I got my current PCA job (minus the calling). I have access to the hospital directory because of completing clinicals there. I applied for all the positions I was interested in, then looked on the directory got all of the managers email addresses and sent them all the same generic email about how Im interested in their unit and blah, blah, blah.

I emailed four of them, and all but one emailed me back. Got the call from HR the same day not even 2 hours later to set up an interview.

Good Luck!

[Biffbradford]

Welcome to the club. Trust me you are not alone and there are no easy answers.

Hang in there and keep trying, and that's what I keep telling myself.

[canchaser, BSN, RN]

"Ive found some people on LinkedIN recently, but havent contacted them yet since I wont be graduating for another 6 months. When you contacted them, did you just state that you were interested in a position? And did you contact them through the PM option on the LinkedIN site or find their private email and contact them? "

I asked if there were jobs in clincal documentation, then I got leads from people/ Hr departmetns that were looking for employees and directions where to look. So go ahead and post when you are ready, if this is a bedside RN/LPN/CNA position you are looking at then start NOW they are hard to get and waiting till you graduate means you will still be looking after graduation.

[Ev1987]

Although it looks dim at the moment, do not give up. A window is bound to open somewhere.

[tomc5555]

test,test,test

[froggy8, BSN, RN]

In the same club. I've been having one of "those" days today.

Good Luck and keep trying. even if the applications go into black holes.

[AprettynewRN]

do you have friends, family, instructors willing to help, anything in other places? I think the healthcare job issue is regional somewhat. If you could go somewhere else and gain some experience is that doable?