So glad to be here after many months of lurking in the shadows. I am a hop, skip and jump away from submitting my Maricopa CC application. So exciting!
I am darn near 30 and a career-changer currently working in food-service (ugghhh) to pay the bills. Like most other pre-nursing students I want to get a position in a facility, (hospital is most desirable) but still need to pay the bills.
CNA/LPN is out for me because I don't want to take another semester of classes for a position that will pay less than I am currently making. 3-4 years ago this would have been a feasible option.
Specifics would be very helpful. I am not to terrible familiar with the whats and hows of getting a healthcare job. Should I just call up the HR departments of the facilities I am interested in and see what is available. I've been looking online at their job boards but know that they probably get a lot of applications, I don't want to get lost in the paper trail.
What extra cert's are beneficial to get while I have some down time. I plan on getting CPR, BCLS next.
KittenEars - in most states you can get a CNA certificate through a private company (not the community college) in as little as 2-3 weeks. I'd suggest doing that, then work as a CNA and retail or one full-time CNA job plus a per-diem at another job until you start school.
I was unaware these shorter programs still existed. I thought these were replaced with 5-6 month courses. I've found a local tech school that provides a 3-6 week CNA training with high pass rates and overall good reviews. This may be a feasible option for me now! I could be working as a CNA in no time. This is a lovely realization.
Try getting a patient sitter job PRN. Most PRN jobs require minimal shifts for working and it could get your foot in the door for other hospital positions later on. The pay is not great but if your only purpose is to get in doing something that could be a good option as a 2nd very part time position. I know Honor health I think only requires that you work a minimum of one shift either per pay period or per month (not 100% sure which) but could be feasible with another job and you would at least provide connections or acquaintances if nothing else.
Try getting a patient sitter job PRN. Most PRN jobs require minimal shifts for working and it could get your foot in the door for other hospital positions later on. The pay is not great but if your only purpose is to get in doing something that could be a good option as a 2nd very part time position. I know Honor health I think only requires that you work a minimum of one shift either per pay period or per month (not 100% sure which) but could be feasible with another job and you would at least provide connections or acquaintances if nothing else.
I actually just accepted a position with Honor! It is not related to nursing or patient care but it is a foot in the door! I am excited to get started and to begin making connections with the nurses, doctors and patients families that I will encounter. Beyond the position with HH, I am serving tables until the heat sneaks back in. At which point I plan to complete the a 3 week CNA program and begin getting some experience at a LTC facility.
It is so nice to "see the light"! A year ago the only thing I wanted was a job within a hospital and now I have one. It is very exciting times. I definitely plan to get in my one year experience as a CNA and then see what other opportunities at Honor that will open up.
Thank you all for sharing your tips along the way!
That's great, congratulations. Sometimes we worry about a lot then life just works out, and its fabulous when it does. I hope it all continues good but it sounds like you're on the right path.
My situation is kinda different - I applied for the ASU CEP program and was told I got accepted and will start online this May and at probably Mesa CC in August - and I personally decided to move back home to save up money and am working two jobs right now, one as a server. It's not a hospital job but since you're in food service already I thought I'd mention it. It pays really well for me honestly.
I work at banner good sam, we are hiring for a health unit coordinator starting at 12 but goes up from there! Get to be on the floor with patients and i always go in the room and watch the things they do like IV, Caths, Dressing changes..etc go on the site and look up Health Unit Coordinator
Also, if you are already struggling with finances do not get your CNA. Its 1/7 of the cost of you RN. DO NOT do it. Plenty of jobs in the field that don't need it.
I agree serving is great money! I actually work at Honor now in a non-patient care position that pays really well! I get to interact with patient families, nurses, techs, cnas etc on a regular basis. I actually spend some time in the doctors lounge as well....very interesting conversations going on there. Its really neat to be a fly on those walls.
The best perk of all however is the $5200 yearly tuition reimbursement. This is really why I initially wanted to find a hospital job with a wage I could live off. I am currently on the waitlist but once accepted I will work only 48 hours every 2 weeks. Just enough to allow me to qualify for tuition reimbursement.
Congratulations on your acceptance to ASU!
My situation is kinda different - I applied for the ASU CEP program and was told I got accepted and will start online this May and at probably Mesa CC in August - and I personally decided to move back home to save up money and am working two jobs right now, one as a server. It's not a hospital job but since you're in food service already I thought I'd mention it. It pays really well for me honestly.
MierKat
112 Posts
KittenEars - in most states you can get a CNA certificate through a private company (not the community college) in as little as 2-3 weeks. I'd suggest doing that, then work as a CNA and retail or one full-time CNA job plus a per-diem at another job until you start school.