How do I gain experience as a brand new nurse?

Epona · Dec 31, 2011

I'm almost done with school and I'm really worried about finding a job. I know that [i']everyone[/i] starts somewhere, but I'm just not sure that hospitals are going to accept nurses with no experience. Can anyone tell me about your experience of finding a job as a new-grad. And I want to work as an ED nurse (is that too far fetched?)

It's hard to get a job as a new grad in a hospital. It can be done, but not easy. It took me several months to land a job in a hospital as a new grad. It was on Med Surg. Hated it. Wanting to work in the ED is a great goal. I wanted to start there too! You will quickly learn that the ED is not the best place for a new grad to start. You will soon realize that you have a LOT to learn. If you have previous nursing experience, CNA, etc. then you may have some experience going in if the ED is really what you want. Some of my nursing friends went into home health as that was all they could get as new grads. Not to sound down.. I have been out since 2009, so not too long, and nursing is tough. It's hard to find a job and the job itself is not an easy one. BEST ADVICE I can give you... try to find a job that gives you a COMPLETE orientation... does not throw you to the wolves. I have had awful orientations thus far... one job I got gave me basically NO ORIENTATION at all... one day.....BAD NEWS for a new grad. GOOD LUCK in whatever you decide!! Hang tough!!

suzie<3RN · Jan 1, 2012

Its ridiculous that a new grad can't get a job anywhere. I know its tough, really tough. I'm taking my 2nd attempt of the NCLEX soon, and this job thing, isn't taking any weight off my shoulders(or the remainder of my body). I did work as a CNA in the ER in a hospital(the same one I'm looking into to find a job) and I loved it. I was only a CNA, so to be honest, i didn't get to do much. My ultimate goal, is to get into a hospital, at least for now. Thanks for the orientation tip, i'll def remember that. And, an RN is an RN, experience shouldn't be a huge factor right? Can anyone tell me If they got into the ER, as a new grad, and/or their experience?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 1, 2012

I went straight to the ED, but I had also been a paramedic for several years and had been an ED tech in the same ED for nearly four years -- my experience was a little different. I did an ED nursing fellowship with a lot of new grads who had no ED experience, but this was in 2008. As you know, it's a little different out there now. You should cast a wide net -- i.e., apply for jobs besides the ED. Good luck!

Janellius · Jan 6, 2012

I am exactly like you. All I ever wanted was to work in the ER. I got my EMT license and Teched in an ER for a Year. Graduated with my BSN and managed to get a fellowship in the ER. After 2 months in, I finally understand why all my professors told me to go to Med surg first. Because I am in the ER my preceptor has very little time to teach me. I am expected to know all the assessment skills and findings immediately. It has been a huge learning curve with very little down time. I feel like an idiot all the time and wonder if I am ever going to be a good nurse. If I had it back again I would probably look at getting a job in Med Surg.

suzie<3RN · Jan 8, 2012

Maybe your right. I finish school in 2 months. I've got time, not too much, but its there. Thanks everyone for your answers. I'll consider everything you said:)

jpeters84 · Jan 9, 2012

Did your school offer a preceptorship in the ER? If it did than I feel like you shouldn't have a problem finding a job as long as you are willing to move anywhere. When I went to apply for jobs I wanted NICU and/or ER. Because I did preceptorships in these areas and I was willing to move anywhere (and I worked really hard, spending night and day looking for jobs) I got interviews and job offers in these specialty areas. But having a preceptorship in a specialty area is huge. I feel like nursing schools that don't offer preceptorships in specialty areas are really limiting their nursing students. Almost all of the new grad ER programs I applied for required either a preceptorship in the ER or other experience in the ER like EMT/paramedic cert, etc.

nurseclairebear · Jan 9, 2012

I started in Med/Surg, and it is HARD, but at least it is consistent. Which is good for new RNs...if you can deal with being absolutely slammed at times (I mean slammed with lots of tasks and the ability to think on your feet), then by all means go for the ER!

Morainey, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2012

I worked in the hospital for a year as a PCT and then got hired as a new grad. The only people I graduated with who got directly hired into a hospital were men (*shrug*) or had already worked in that hospital as a CNA, PCT, SNA, etc. I live in New England though, so maybe that's just my area.

suzie<3RN · Jan 25, 2012

I worked in the ER as a CNA, pretty much all through nursing school. I'm glad I did because i finished school 2 weeks ago, and I applied for ER in 4 hospitals, and I've heard back from 3! I can't wait to start! I took all the advice that everyone gave me and look what happened! Pat yourselves on the back, your amazing!!!

CTIF-RN · May 15, 2014

Sorry, to add but finding a job is for new grads, not easy. There's a nursing shortage, but not a nursing demand. Hospitals at least are being conservative in hiring. So unless you've been proactive in trying to acquire the job beforehand, as a new nurse you'll be applying for a while. I guess I'm lucky cause I work in another field, and have so far secure employment there, but it definitely is frustrating to not be hired. Add to that, that schools only give a tiny bit of skill, to the point that hospitals are reticent in hiring new grads due to lack of skills and to be able act on their own.