So Inexperienced I'm Not Even Allowed to Apply.

[Stephalump]

I'm a new nursing student trying to apply for CNA, ER Tech, and Unit Secretary jobs so I can make some extra money during school and get some experience before I'm a new grad.

I made a nice, functional resume and started applying to jobs at local hospitals, only to find out there is a minimum of one listing on the Work History section of online job applications. I can't even submit it without putting something there.

I have almost no work history. I had a baby toward the end of high school, went right to college, and then was a stay at home mom until I decided to go back to school. Never volunteered for any significant amount of time or sat an any interesting committee or anything...I was just too busy! I had a couple jobs as a teenager , but that was so long ago and so brief, I think listing then would be counterproductive. Haven't started clinicals yet.

Any suggestions on how to get over this hump? I'm seriously considering postponing the job search and volunteering at a hospital over the summer, just so I have something to list!

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

I had a baby toward the end of high school, went right to college, and then was a stay at home mom until I decided to go back to school. Never volunteered for any significant amount of time or sat an any interesting committee or anything...I was just too busy! I had a couple jobs as a teenager , but that was so long ago and so brief, I think listing then would be counterproductive. Haven't started clinicals yet.

Listing your earlier work history, with your most recent experience as, "childcare provider" is neither inappropriate, nor untrue.

[watersamy]

Just keep trying. It took me a full year to land my first nursing assistant job while I was in nursing school. The trick is to apply at the right time because if you get hired you'll have to train during the day shift full time for a few weeks before you decrease your hours and work the shift they hired you for. Good luck, lots of hospitals like to hire nursing students. Its the only way to get your foot in the door. Once I graduated and passed by Boards, the hospital I was working for as a Nursing Assistant quickly put me into a Registered Nurse Job. Its worth the wait and the time spent applying.

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

I applied for several STNA positions and I got a call out of the blue after I finished fundamentals...once you're done with fundamentals then you should have an easier time getting a job...and make sure you ask when you apply for an Student nursing assistant position...

[RNewbie]

Stay at home mom is a job, maybe just rephrase it but I would include that on an app. I have in the past also put full time student on applications where there were gaps of employment. I think volunteer work is a good idea. If you can't find something in healthcare right away, I would do something like volunteering in the community at a shelter or something. I think all volunteer work is seen as positive.