Trouble finding work as a PCT after 1st semester of NS!

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Hey all,

I just finished up my first semester of Nursing School.

Towards the end of the semester I had this vision of going and applying

for PCT positions and getting hired on quickly. Mainly because the hospitals I had my rotations in were always complaining about the lack of Techs, how they need more, yada yada.

Well, here i am almost 2 months later and still have not landed a job!

One of my applications has been "in review" for over a month,

The other was denied after a month,

and i have applied to many more which have not even gone into review yet.

I really want to work during this summer off so I don't lose my skills, as well as the rest of Nursing School.

Any ideas as to why I'm having such a hard time?

I have to say this "apply online only" method can be very annoying,

No human contact to speak with or ask about your application.

Anyone else having a hard time finding PCT positions as a Nursing Student?

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This was my plan too. I think most hospitals know that we want the experience and that when we become rns we will want to be hired on as rns. I applied for every pct job I could. As did most of my classmates. I finally got a job via networking with upperclass mates who were graduating. It tough out there.

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Specializes in ICU.

I applied to more than 80 positions at various local hospitals after I got my CNA certification. I knew I wasn't willing to work in a nursing home, so that was probably part of my problem finding a job. I only ended up getting hired as a tech because I landed an externship at a hospital the summer after my junior year of nursing school and they let me stay on as a tech. It's not just you - it's rough out there. Everyone wants experience.

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I started applying for patient care tech/student extern jobs LAST spring, and let me just say that I believe it to be one of the most competitive jobs out there. Every nursing student wants that experience before they graduate, and almost everyone who applies is qualified because most job qualifications just state that you must be in an accredited school of nursing with at least 1 semester of clinical experience. I suggest attaching a resume to your application and including on your resume any achievements or honors during college (dean's list, etc)

After over 40 applications last summer and 50 applications this summer, I just recently got hired as a patient care tech with only one year of nursing school left. Hang in there and keep looking at the job postings in your area (I suggest at least every other day).

Another option is getting your CNA license (your first semester of clinicals, mainly the nursing fundamentals class, allows you to skip the CNA class and just take the test. Just make sure you have a transcript) and working at a long-term care facility or in home health. These may not be your top choices, but they will still give you a lot of experience with patient care. Just keep that in mind :)

Good luck!

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Your having a hard time because employers what someone who will be in that position long term. Your better off looking for student nurse positions. Here they call them SNAP and offer them to start in the summers and you would work per diem during school. If you had your CNA then you wouldn't have to tell them about nursing school.

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Speaking from my experience, apply as much as you can and make sure you have a good resume. I thought I would always get hired into this other hospital system because I knew people who worked there but I ended up getting hired into the rival system. Go through your resume and look over it constantly. Up play strengths and previous experience working with people like in retail or customer service. Due to changes in medicare, a lot of hospitals are big on customer service.

To be honest, the hospitals in our area would prefer you to be in nursing school. You may not get hired in one without being on the way to become a nurse. It's kind of a twisted system. Make contacts and ask your clinical instructors if you can use them as references.

Also, when asked about school tell them you want to stack your classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. That type of thing so you'd have three days free. I would look for part-time positions.

Have people go over your resume too. Ask them to take a look.

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