Does already working at a hospital help when getting hired?

if you already hold a position where RNs are needed, does it help? I'm trying to get my CNA license and let some time pass so i can do a academic fresh start and pursue my BSN. i currently work at a hospital but as dietary aide
From my experience HR always consider internal candidates first. Often jobs are posted externally a few weeks after they are posted internally.

Yes. It gives you an edge

It depends on the hospital. After 4 years as a CNA, all I got was a shrug and "we don't have the facilities to train new grads, we only hire experienced nurses". It was true too, new nurses were never hired while I worked there. On the positive side, CNA did give me flexible work as a student job.

Also, CNA or dietary aide work will not count as "hospital experience" when you are applying for RN jobs.

why is that ?

A resounding YES. I actually know of several PCAs that got a job within a month or two of graduating, and they had been in the system for over two years.

Quote from mee9mee9why is that ?

Didn't help me or other people who worked as techs at hospital. I worked 6 years at facility as a Unit Secretary..loved the unit, always had good job evaluations..devoted to my job only to get turned down at my hospital after graduation. I watched other classmates with NO work experience take the few jobs offered at hospital while I was shown the door after 6 years! HR told me to come back when I get experience..so in my case and others NO working there sure didn't help out.