Published Feb 10, 2008
catherine_cardella
32 Posts
I've been searching high and low the past few months for a student nurse job at a local area hospitals. I'm a first-year nursing student at Wayne State and I just started my first clinical at Karmanos. I really like it there and I'm seriously considering a nursing career in oncology. I've been looking at hospital websites for job openings, but not very much is available. And most of what is available requires student nurses to have completed at least two clinical rotations, meg-surg included. I won't be done with my med-surg clinical until December 2008. I can use all the help I can get, which is why I really want a student nurse job. Other nursing students have told me about hospitals who offer their students a job after the completion of their first clinicals. But I imagine these students did phenomenal work in their first clinical which would merit them a job. I'm trying my hardest, but it's difficult for a quiet girl like myself to shine in a class of over-acheivers.
NoviceRN10
901 Posts
I attend MCC and from what I understand, I could get a job as a nurse tech after I finish med-surge I (not necessarily based on whether I "shine" over fellow students with my abilities). There are a few students in my class who work as nurse aides at area hospitals, but I have heard from others trying to get the same jobs that it isn't easy. I would go to the HR dept of the hospitals you want to work at and see what your options are, or if there are any openings.
miMOMMYof3
129 Posts
The way Ive heard it from most hospitals is that you must complete your 1st medsurg rotation with the medsurg theory class along with it, to get a student nurse position. But you still maybe able to get a job as a aid. Hope this helps.
CandyGyrl
196 Posts
Just be patient... I finished my first semester of clinical rotations and I am in my 2nd semester as of right now. 7 weeks of psych and the next 7 weeks Med-Surg... after semester 1 the nurse manager on my unit was trying to recruit a select few of us to contact her 1 month or so before semester 2 ends so we may begin the process of becoming nurse techs by no later than Jan 09.
What you may want to do is become familiar with the Nurse managers and the Clinical Specialists on the units you do your rotations on. Believe me they know if you're good or bad... if you show interest they may provide you with contact info (email address or phone #) to reach them when you're nearing completion of Med-Surg I or even give you inside info on what to do around that time. You'll land it just connect with the right people and make a great impression.
TBICU
26 Posts
Pynkladie,
You will need at least 1 semester of med/surg and your fundamentals class as others have replied. This will allow you to get your foot in the door as a nursing asst in some places. Other hospitals require 2 semesters of med/surg before they will hire you, and in these facilities they will normally hire you as a nurse tech or nurse extern position.
If you have a hospital on the top of your list, start with them and start making some phone calls. Many people say that the online job sights are of little value. Call a nurse recruiter or nurse manager and get your name out there. The reason you might not see many jobs is due to the fact that alot of jobs never make it to the online websites because people take a more direct approach to getting a job.
Be persistant and alert to all hospital websites and you will get a job. If you can start out at the bottom at your preferred hospital you want to work at after graduating, you can work your way into an extremely good position when it is time for graduation.
Since Dec. of 08, I have gone from NA on a med/surg floor, on to an Externship this summer, and now work as a ICU Tech at a Level 1 Trauma/Burn hospital.
If you are in the position to work while going to school, hit the pavement and keep all avenues open. There is plenty of work available for students who want to get some enhanced learning while attending school.
guest302569
13 Posts
Hi,
Since you are in the Detroit area and going to Wayne State, "the hospital" down the street from you or a couple blocks away has many student nurse jobs available once you complete your first Med/Surg class. I worked as a Student Nurse Associate there. You don't have to be noticed or top of your class and it is great experience. Contact HR departments and ask to speak to a nurse recruiter. They should be more than happy to assist you, if not, move on to another facility. It is best to call and speak to HR departments about nursing student opportunities. There are so many out there. Good Luck!