Why is it so hard to find a PCA job?

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

I am frustrated. I have been working at my hospital as a sitter for over four months, and I have applied for many PCA positions within the hospital for the past few months. My fellow nursing student got a job, and he has NO hospital experience whatsoever. I'm little peeved.

Anyone else having this problem? I'm so frustrated.

[karamarie91]

If you're able to, have you tried speaking directly to a nursing manager on the floors you're interesting in working on? I am hospital sitter too, but I have realized that being outgoing and letting EVERYONE know that you are a nursing student and eager to work in the hospital helps. Even though I can't apply to work at the hospital I sit for because I work for the agency, I still have gained valuable info and networking contacts with the hospital employees.

I have an interview coming up which I got from calling a random floor in one of the area hospitals. I asked to speak with the nursing manager, introduced myself, and explained why I wanted to work on their floor. She referred me to the recruiter who called me back for an interview. So cold calling works! Especially if you're a nursing student.

I wish you well. Keep applying and following up!

[Phoenixbyrd]

Please forgive me for the slight hi-jacking, but how did you get a sitter's job? I mean, do you have any tech certifications? I am a pre-nursing student trying to get any job in a hospital. I don't have any hospital experience, no tech certifications, and I am wondering if this will be a negative against me. Should I just sell my customer service skills as best I can? Hope you comment - you can PM me if you wish. (And again, please forgive me for the hi-jacking).:)