Nursing Student Employment FAQ
Q: I am currently in nursing school and am very interested in being hired as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. How do I apply for the position and what specific qualifications are the hiring managers looking for?
A: Managers look to hire students into PCT positions who can work for them for at least one year prior to graduating from nursing school. Full time PCT opportunities require three 12- hour rotating day, evening, and night shifts per week including a weekend and holiday rotation. Part- time PCT opportunities require one or two 12- hour rotating day, evening, and night shifts per week including a weekend and holiday rotation. If you meet this criteria and are able to work these hours, please apply online.
Q: Why don’t all applicants receive a call from a recruiter?
A: Each week we receive thousands of applications for our open positions. While we would like to make contact with each candidate who applies for our open positions, our applicant volume prohibits us from being able to do so.
Q: I am about to graduate from nursing school and am interested in a Graduate Nurse position with St. Louis Children’s Hospital. When should I apply and how will I know which positions are open to graduate nurses?
A: Graduates should look to apply for positions 3-4 months prior to their desired start date. We look for candidates who have previous Patient Care Tech experience or applicable experience as well as students who have completed a student nurse summer externship or their senior leadership practicum/preceptorships in a pediatric facility. Graduate nurse positions will be posted on our career site as a “Graduate Nurse Internship”. Also, graduates can also apply to staff nurse positions along with experienced RN’s. Please look for available positions and apply only for positions for which you are interested in and qualified for.
Q: I am interested in internships with St. Louis Children’s Hospital. What do I do to be considered for internships at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
A: St. Louis Children’s Hospital offers two Graduate Nurse Internship Programs. The Cardiac ICU Internship orientation is offered each year in January. The Float Pool Internship orientation is offered each year in January and in June. Internship positions will be posted on our career website in the spring and fall, respectively. If you are interested in either of these internships, please apply online.
Q: I am interested in a student nurse externship at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. How do I apply for the externship?
A: Our student nurse externship is part of a joint venture between BJC HealthCare and the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). Applications can be found online at the UMSL website starting mid December through mid February. Selections are made in early March. Please visit the UMSL website to determine if you meet the criteria for the program: http://www.umsl.edu/~nursingweb/umslbjc/programinfo.html
Q: What if there isn’t a nursing position posted that I’m interested in now- what should I do to be considered for future nursing roles?
A. Since we announce new positions fairly often, we encourage you to visit our website regularly and apply when you see one in which you are interested and possess the qualifications. While you are waiting for a position to open up, focus on passing your boards. Consider gaining one year of experience in another organization and re-applying again as an experience nurse.
Q: Which nursing school should I attend?
A: We do not hire out of a specific nursing program. We encourage you to do your research and find the program that will offer you the best education to prepare you for a career in nursing. At St. Louis Children’s Hospital we look for a well-rounded applicant. Educational preparation is only one factor in the decision.
Q: Do you have scholarships for nursing students?
A: We do not. Instead, we offer tuition reimbursement to our full time and part time employees who have been working in the BJC HealthCare system for at least six months.
Q: I am interested in job shadowing for nursing and patient care technician roles. Who should I contact?
A: All nursing job shadow requests are handled through our Clinical Education office. Please contact Sue Marten at 314.286.0385.
Q: How long is the interview process?
A: The length of the interview varies with positions. The first interview is with the HR recruiter and hiring manager. In some areas where a second interview is required, top candidates will be invited back to interview with members of the team.
Q: How should I prepare for my interview?
A: Preparing for your interview is like preparing for class. You need to review the website of the organization for which you are applying and come with specific questions for the recruiter and hiring manager.
