Need experience

Tobygo2 · Mar 23, 2011

I'm in the same position so would love to hear what others have to say.

bigsick_littlesick · Mar 23, 2011

What kind of positions have you been applying for? Also, do you know anyone that could put in a good word for you? Although, it is possible to get hired from the outside, the vast majority of my coworkers were hired because their connections at the hospital.

I'm currently a housekeeper at one of our city's local hospitals as well as a first semester nursing student. Before I was a housekeeper, I had been applying only for CNA positions with no luck. My mom and my boyfriend both work at the same hospital and they would come home and tell me that somebody who already worked there got the job over me. This had gone on for a couple years. Hospitals love to hire within as with most businesses. My mom had always hinted at just going for a housekeeping, linen, dietary or cafeteria job but I admit, I kind of turned my nose to it as I already had a decent job at the time. But I know now that was the wrong attitude to have. Well after a while, I started to get hopeless that my life would never change and by this time, it was going on four years of waiting to get into a program. I broke down and asked my mom to talk to the manager of environmental services. I was set up with an interview, luckily they were in need of people for the weekends and I was hired on! Once I was hired on, literally a week after I got the job there, I learned I got into the nursing program!

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, now that I work in the hospital, it will be MUCH, MUCH easier for me to move around to different positions and departments. Everyday I work is an opportunity to impress, schmooze, court and mingle with supervisors and managers on all the different floors. It's a way to connect and let them know that hey, if you hire me as a nurse in the future, you know my work ethic, my personality, how I will mesh with your staff. Currently, I am waiting for an ER tech or CNA position to open up.

Again, if you're just looking for nursing related jobs, while that's great, try to understand the value of getting your foot in the door with a different type of position. Once you're in that position, bust your butt in that job, whatever it may be and also accept the fact that while it's likely you'll get a hired as a nurse after you graduate and pass boards, it is by no means a guarantee. I talked to the nursing recruiter at the facility we're doing our clinicals at and she said one of her biggest pet peeves were current employees interviewing for an RN position who acted w/o humility because they acted like they were entitled to the open position just because they already worked there. So try to apply for anything you can and once you're in, you can move!

KianaM · Mar 23, 2011

Oh man! Thanks so much for that. I honestly didn't even think about applying for housekeeping or dietary jobs for the same reason you didn't at first. I am in the same situation in that I have a pretty good job now that I enjoy and decent money (plus tips which is the best part). I guess I have to be humble and pay my dues. I am willing to do anything to make it easier for me to get a job in the future. I've been applying for ward clerk, nursing assistant, even receptionist jobs. Like I said, I got hired as a nursing assistant in a care home. This particular care home has but five residents, all of whom are pretty high functioning. They pay ten dollars an hour (which will be a pay cut for me) and the nurse assistants work twelve hour shifts. I am grateful that they are giving me the opportunity, however, one of my family members voiced their concern that this may not even count as clinical experience! This is whats worrying me. Should I turn it down and continue looking for any kind of hospital job I can get (including housekeeping =]) or should I take it, quit my current job, and continue looking for a hospital job??

Tobygo2 · Mar 23, 2011

I have a break over the summer and am looking to apply to ANY job our local hospital has open! I just worry with my workload if I'll be able to do it with clinicals and everything. Will they typically work around a school schedule??