Where to go?

[JHallagin]

So I have been applying for positions at hospitals as a CNA for about 3 months now. I have a undergraduate degree and an MBA. I am currently trying to get into nursing school because I enjoy helping other more than I do making money off of their labor.

I had used some resources I had to get names and contacts information of some of the HR people at the hospitals I have applied at. Upon talking to the HR department I was basically told that the hospital does not like to hire nursing students.

Has anyone ever heard of this before? Is this common practice? If that is the case what options for employment are there for an individual going to nursing school that wishes to work in health care while going to school. I can't just work part time because I have a family to support. I guess I am lost for words.

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

Hello there,

Some hospitals do not want employees who have heavy duty commitments outside of the workplace, like nursing school. Additionally, more and more hospitals nowadays are declining to promote their employees who have earned higher degrees. It's often cheaper to hire a desperate new graduate than give a loyal employee his or her due. The hospitals you applied to may have assumed you want a CNA position as an "in" for a nursing job or think that you will automatically jump ship after your program is done.

I do not think there is anything wrong with NOT saying you are in nursing school.

Of course, if they ask you, you have to be truthful.

But not mentioning it up front? I don't think there is anything wrong with that as long as you fulfill your end of the bargain.

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

Have you tried becoming a home health aide?

[hopefulprayers1]

I've never heard of this, but where I am at many employers will accept students who are in nursing school after they've completed one clinical and fundamentals of nursing

[hopefulprayers1]

You can look at nursing homes

[JHallagin]

I have thought of nursing homes but to be honest with you the experience I had during my clinicals while I was getting my CNA almost pushed me away from health care because of how people who worked there acted. I don't know if I could do it.

What about patient access rep? Would that be a good choice?

[hopefulprayers1]

That would be. You should look into the different areas you can work as a cna. Being a cna in my area, I can work as a unit clerk, as a patient care tech taking vitals, weight, i/o.

[JHallagin]

Hello there,

Some hospitals do not want employees who have heavy duty commitments outside of the workplace, like nursing school. Additionally, more and more hospitals nowadays are declining to promote their employees who have earned higher degrees. It's often cheaper to hire a desperate new graduate than give a loyal employee his or her due. The hospitals you applied to may have assumed you want a CNA position as an "in" for a nursing job or think that you will automatically jump ship after your program is done.

I do not think there is anything wrong with NOT saying you are in nursing school.

Of course, if they ask you, you have to be truthful.

But not mentioning it up front? I don't think there is anything wrong with that as long as you fulfill your end of the bargain.

True but then I run into the situation where by looking at my background and the fact I am trying to get in a hospital that they think that I am just using the job as a stepping stone into something else. I don't know, it is just frustrating.