Padding Your Resume

elkpark · Dec 29, 2015

Does your school have an NSNA (Nat'l Student Nurses Association) chapter? Are you an active member? Can you get one started? Is there anything you can do in student government at your school? Tutoring? Are you positioning yourself to be invited to join Sigma Theta Tau at graduation? Is there any other kind of school-specific honor society for which you qualify? Volunteering is also an option.

Guest915876 · Dec 29, 2015

There is an NSA at my school actually. That would be a good option with minimal time commitment. Is Sigma Theta Tau for academic achievement? Can you only be invited?

elkpark · Dec 29, 2015

There is an NSA at my school actually. That would be a good option with minimal time commitment. Is Sigma Theta Tau for academic achievement? Can you only be invited?

STT is the international honor society for nursing. If your school has a chapter and your grades are high enough, you get invited to join at graduation. Yes, you can only join by invitation.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 29, 2015

My hospital hires CNA's who are expecting to graduate in a semester or two sometimes if they are impressed with them -- with the expectation that they will transition to an RN role after passing boards. The months spent as a CNA are considered an extended "job interview." If the CNA doesn't do well, she is not hired as an RN. It's better to find out before investing a whole RN orientation on them.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Dec 29, 2015

I'm actually going to start at a hospital in January as a PCT that will turn into a permanent RN job when I pass my NCLEX if all goes well and I impress them these next 6-8 months. I plan on doing that.

You need to stop listening to info that is basically gossip and get in touch with HR depts in the hospitals in your area. I got a response from each HR dept I contacted. I was told of a job fair and I went. It was a job fair for nurses, but was told it would be a great opportunity for me to get to know people. So far, I'm in. I just need to finish the background check and drug test which I'm not worried about.

Be proactive!! It shows you are a go-getter. Good luck!!!

bopeep82 · Dec 30, 2015

Volunteering is always good. I recently started volunteering with the Girl Scouts as a Brownie leader. I've racked up over 80 hrs in two months. Volunteering is no joke. Talk about BUSY!

BeachsideRN, ASN · Dec 30, 2015

I'm in a nurse tech program at a local hospital that is specifically for nursing students and usually ends up in a job offer. It's PRN work.

Guest915876 · Dec 31, 2015

I just applied to a nurse extern job so hopefully that works out. I get the feeling that getting your foot in the door somewhere before graduation is way easier than getting a job post graduation/NCLEX.

BBboy · Dec 31, 2015

I work at a Hospital and 3/4 of us in my hiring group are all nursing students. If you're under a year left before becoming an RN I would maybe suggest waiting. I work with plenty of nurses who didn't have any prior medical experience but were hired into the New grad residency positions. Volunteering always looks good too. I actually enjoy the CNA work but I can assume that because you're almost done you wouldn't work too many hours while in school and I don't know if the process would be necessary in the end

_zoubisoubisou_ · Dec 31, 2015

Certifications would be nice to have and "pad" once you're closer to graduation. ACLS for sure, and possibly PALS if you will be applying to jobs involving peds.

personally, I wouldn't waste my time to do CNA if you aren't one already. If you already had your CNA license, that'd be different, but it would be extra time and effort that you really don't need to put forth when you're going to be an RN anyway. That is my opinion.

Guest915876 · Jan 1, 2016

ACLS is required once you land a job as an RN right? I imagine that would be something the employer would pay for as part of your training? Is it worth it for me to spend the money on it prior to applying?