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 hundreds 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 RN position with St. Louis Children’s Hospital. When should I apply and how will I know which positions are open?
A: Individuals interested in RN positions should view Application Information for Recently Graduated Nurses.
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/~nurseexternweb/
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 experienced nurse.
You can also submit your general information to BJC Healthcare recruitment to stay informed of future opportunities here.
Q: Which nursing school should I attend?
A: We do not hire individuals from specific nursing programs. 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 well-rounded applicants. Educational preparation is only one factor in the hiring process.
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 12 months.
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 and shadow with members of the team.
Q: How should I prepare for my interview?
A: Preparing for your interview is like preparing for class. You should review the website of the organization for which you are applying and come with specific questions for the recruiter and hiring manager. Also visit our Job Search Tips.
