Student nurse tech job? Yeah right!

Published

I need help and advice! My nursing class was recently told by our program director the day that she had a meeting with hospital big wigs in our metro area that she asked them what the job outlook will be for this year's graduating class, our class, and the class that is coming in. What she told us didn't surprise me at all but the aftermath has been frustrating to say the very least. :madface: She informed us that if we had any intention of working in a hospital in the metro area after graduation then we needed to get a job as a CNA or student nurse tech in a hospital asap. So I went home that night and started applying and applying and applying for any and all nurse tech jobs at all hospitals in our area. To this day (she told us this back in April) I have probably put in almost 100 applications. My best friend, who is also in the program with me, started applying the same night I did, got a call less than a week later from a local hospital asking her to come in for an interview and then less than another week after that she got the call saying they wanted to offer her the job. I applied for the same job and heard nothing. I am so incredibly happy for her! But, yes I have also told her this, I am a little envious of her in the fact that this hospital is so close to my apartment and is a great facility to work for! She lives 45 minutes away and seems to complain about everything there. She even says that she wouldn't send her worst enemy there to die! I told her "Be grateful you have a job IN a hospital!!" after hearing that!

I've gotten 1 phone call, yes you read that right ONE phone call for an interview at a hospital that I've always said I wanted to work at after I become a licensed nurse. I was so excited! And even more excited because it was on the ICU step-down unit! Right up my alley! I prepared my resume, skills checklist, letter of recommendation from my health assessment lab instructor who was also my clinical instructor first semester in the program, and spent hours picking out an outfit that I felt was professional. I arrived for my interview 15 minutes early, was fully prepared for any and all questions, I even did research on this hospital about awards they had received, their ranking as one of the best hospitals for many specialties in the region, and knew the date they were awarded magnet status! I was even more excited when after my interview with the HR specialist was complete that she asked me if I could stay and interview with the nurse manager! I was ecstatic but didn't do my normal happy dance that I like to do when I get exciting news! :yeah: I went upstairs had a fabulous interview with the nurse manager, she even told me that she thought I did wonderful in answering all of her questions, and then she asked me if I could stay to do a group interview with a few of her nurses! Even more exciting news! So I stayed, answered any and all questions they had, received a full tour of the floor and went home with high hopes. To this day I still have not received a rejection letter, email or anything saying sorry but we have chosen someone else. That has really deflated my spirits! :down:

I'm a licensed CNA in both Kansas and Missouri, I've successfully completed all of my fundamentals skills tests for the nursing program, have a amazing letter of recommendation that raves about my attentiveness to patients, patience with those who test our limits, my quick head to toe assessment skills and about the time that I can successfully complete it in. My resume has been reviewed and edited by my fiancee, who is the king at those types of things but yet I can't get anything but an email saying well Thanks but no thanks! What else can I do? I know I have to just keep trying because there IS something out there for me but where it is right now I just don't know. I'm getting ready to take the Kansas medication aide test since I finished Pharmacology in May and I'm wondering could this help me? I thought that being a licensed CNA in 2 states was great! Guess not. Any and all words of advice would be appreciated!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Apply for RN jobs instead. Ignore what that one person said back in April. There will always be turnover in hospitals, even if it's only a handful of positions that come available. I always heard the same "there are no jobs! Don't bother applying!" but funny, when I applied anyway I had interviews at 2 hospitals even before graduation and getting a license (meaning I've barely even sent out any applications yet)

Your goal is to be a nurse, not a CNA. If you apply to CNA jobs, not only will they probably not consider you (because they know that you will leave as soon as you find an RN job) but they will question why you are trying to sell yourself short, making it look like you don't have confidence in yourself that you can be an RN. Apply to doctor's offices, clinics, outpatient surgery centers, or anywhere else you'd be even somewhat happy, but as an RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What area of kansas are you in? I tried since December of last year to get a cna job at a hospital, and I just accepted a job offer yesterday. What about trying for a prn or float position? Are there any Ltc facilities connected to hospitals in your area? Often times you can float back and forth from hospital to tbe facility and that would be one way to get your foot in the door.

Also, really play up how much you want to stay and advance within the company. Let them know your future Rn goals and where you see yourself in the future. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Apply for RN jobs instead. Ignore what that one person said back in April. There will always be turnover in hospitals, even if it's only a handful of positions that come available. I always heard the same "there are no jobs! Don't bother applying!" but funny, when I applied anyway I had interviews at 2 hospitals even before graduation and getting a license (meaning I've barely even sent out any applications yet)

Your goal is to be a nurse, not a CNA. If you apply to CNA jobs, not only will they probably not consider you (because they know that you will leave as soon as you find an RN job) but they will question why you are trying to sell yourself short, making it look like you don't have confidence in yourself that you can be an RN. Apply to doctor's offices, clinics, outpatient surgery centers, or anywhere else you'd be even somewhat happy, but as an RN.

I don't think the OP has finished NS, so looking for an RN job wouldn't make sense.

To the OP: I know the feeling! I had applied to hospital jobs for well over a year. Got a few interviews (and it took several weeks for them to let me know their decision). Currently, 1 year after the start of my job search, I'm working in a hospital in a float pool. I see everything from psych to hospice to ICU to med/surg.

Your moment will come! Just be patient! I didn't have anything special about me when I applied for a job. I was a CNA, but that was the extent of it. No experience or anything. Just be patient and apply for anything and everything!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

I know exactly how you feel OP! I've been a CNA for 2 years prior to starting NS. I have experience in LTC,rehab, assisted living, home health..and I like the elderly..believe me I do..but I want to gain more experience by working in a hospital. I've applied to so many PCT positions, I've simply lost count. You've gotten farther than me, though. I've never gotten a hospital interview. I just feel at a disadvantage...most of the people in my cohort already work in hospitals and they get to do/see all these interesting things, but I don't :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Did you send Thank You cards after and since it's been a while and you have not received a rejection email or anything? I would follow up and ask if the position has been filled. Also ask for any tips on interviewing and advice they would give you from yours. Maybe also have your resume reviewed by someone in the nursing profession if your fiance does something else. I had someone look at mine and made a lot of great changes. I had already had it approved by the resume center. But she has done a lot of hiring and interviewing of nurses so she knew what they look for. Most of all, don't give up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

the same exact thing is happening to me. i'm a 4th semester ADN student who will be graduating this winter. during 1st semester, we were strongly encouraged NOT to work (or to work very minimally). but come 3rd semester, the teachers changed their tune and were suddenly asking, "you don't work in a hospital? you don't have any tech experience?!? oh my gosh, why not?!?"

umm...because you told us not to work, remember?

this past spring, my instructor said that i will have a helluva time landing an RN job without prior hospital experience, since most institutions are doing minimal hiring or hiring from within.

so, over the past 4 months, i've applied for about 70 CNA/PCT positions and have gotten nothing but rejection emails. i was able to snag an interview at a local hospital and had two rounds of meetings with HR, the floor mgr. and team members. i thought everything went well, but then...nothing. i've tried calling and emailing, but my messages have gone unanswered. i found out a week later by checking their website that the position had been "filled by another applicant." talk about disheartening.

i'm really mad at myself for not taking the CNA test last year after getting some bad advice from a 1st semester teacher. get this: she told our class that we didn't need to get our CNA license, since most of the hospitals in our area will hire nursing students without being certified.

lololol. good one.

i realize now that my window of opportunity to be a CNA has past and that not many hospitals are going to want to train me now knowing i'll be heading for RN-land in 6 months. i've pretty much given up on the CNA job hunt at this point.

so when are you graduating? that might be a factor.

but regardless, don't get down on yourself. this job market is *horrible* for so many people...CNAs in particular. unfortunately, unless you know someone in a hospital who can get you in or you have experience working in that hospital, your chances of getting call-backs aren't very good. try hitting up your hospital-working friends to literally dangle your resume in front of their manager's nose. seriously, use all the contacts you can to network. or apply at the hospitals where you've had clinicals...they may be more receptive to hire you knowing that you've done rotations there.

the good news is that despite the warnings, i see *so* many more hospital job postings for RNs than for CNAs...maybe it won't be so bad.

oh, and i totally know what you mean about CNAs who complain about their job. i'd be happy to trade them for my unemployed status right about now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in a similar boat... I am 3 semesters into my BSN 3 semesters down, 3 to go! I have put in tons of apps/resumes, and nothing..nada..zip...zero... :( many others in my cohort got tech jobs and are working. I have a great resume! I've been in health care x 10 years! Very frustrating!

I wish you the best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LDRP.

I went to the HR dept of the hospital my school of nursing is affiliated with and asked if there was anyway to get a pca a job there as a nursing student. She said the chance is slim to none. They dont want someone who is going to work there for a year, then quit. The only people in my class that do have pca jobs in hospitals had them before they started NS. it sucks...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our program encourages us to get nurse tech jobs as a networking opportunity and a stairstep to a residency/RN job upon graduation. So I am trying really hard to get in there. On a positive note, one of my friends a few cohorts ahead of me just graduated and she has already found a job. So I am hoping if all else fails, I'll wow my preceptor or something like that! LOL

Good luck to everyone trying to find those elusive nurse tech jobs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

I recently got an aide position in a hospital where I did a clinical rotation. Before the rotation was over I asked one of the shift managers what was open on the floor and was told what to apply for and they pushed it through. It helps to know people. Try that?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Quick question....Im a nursing student in an adn program and will be graduating in April. I got a tech job about 3 months ago and its been great. I've learned so much about hands on nursing and have gotten countless experiences with blood draws and iv starts. Will this make it easier to get a job at my current hospital or will this make to get a job as an rn at any hospital? My goal is to move to Chicago after graduating but i know where i move depends on where will hire me....any suggestions would be helpful:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion