NEED HELP: First Jobs and tuition reimbursement for RN

[Lovemed]

I would post this in CNA but it's really about getting my RN, and thank you kindly in advance. I just got my CNA cert and I'm a PCT. I was offered an infant audiology screener job for $13/hr in a big local hospital in L&D. The question is, although I'd be working at the hospital, I'm hired by the infant screening company and I'd like to be able to move up in the hospital in a year or less. Do you think the nursing team at the hospital would still recognize my work and considering hiring me even though I wasn't exactly hired by hospital HR?

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Based on what you describe, it sounds like you are an agency employee--you were hired by the screening company and assigned to work in the hospital. You're not an actual hospital employee and therefore likely not eligible for hospital benefits.

The way to partake of these benefits is to apply to the hospital directly for a job, though if you are currently working there through an agency, you may either have to pay a placement fee to the agency or have a lock-out period (i.e., not be assigned to that hospital for several months or more) before you can apply without paying any fee/penalty. Check your contract with the screening agency to see what applies to you.

For example, I did agency nursing for a while and was assigned to Hospital X. If I wanted to apply to and get hired directly by Hospital X, I would have to pay my agency a placement fee, which would have been equal to 25% of my new salary. Alternatively, I could have stopped taking agency assignments at Hospital X for year--if I hadn't been placed at Hospital X for at least a year, I could then apply for jobs at Hospital X without owing the agency anything.

Have you checked with the screening agency to see what benefits they offer?

Sorry if this isn't what you wanted to hear.

[Lovemed]

Thank you so much for responding so quickly, Ma'am. The screening company is actually not an agency, but I will be working directly for that company. The procedures on the infants will however, happen in the hospital the L&D unit. My question really was not about benefits, but more about whether you feel I will be in a better position to apply for a job through the hospital having worked on their L&D unit even if the hire came from a company who uses their facilities. Thank you again!!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much for responding so quickly, Ma'am. The screening company is actually not an agency, but I will be working directly for that company. The procedures on the infants will however, happen in the hospital the L&D unit. My question really was not about benefits, but more about whether you feel I will be in a better position to apply for a job through the hospital having worked on their L&D unit even if the hire came from a company who uses their facilities. Thank you again!!

Ideally, working as an employee is best. Hiring managers would have access to your annual evaluations as an employee of the hospital. The only benefit of working for the hearing screen company would be if you were looking to be hired in the L&D unit in which you are performing the hearing exams. They would get to know you and have a better idea of your work ethic when deciding to hire you as an RN. Any other unit in the hospital, hearing screener would have no advantage.

[Lovemed]

Thanks so much - I actually REALLY want to work in L&D. what do you think?

[Sour Lemon]

Thanks so much - I actually REALLY want to work in L&D. what do you think?

There's no guarantee that you'll be hired in that department as a nurse even if you're a CNA in the same department and very well-liked. It's all about the market in your area and what kind and how many new graduate opportunities exist.