Advice to soon to be or current students

U.S.A. Michigan

Published

Dear fellow nursing friends,

As a recent new grad, (May 09, AAS of Nursing), I want to encourage you to start NOW applying for any hospital job, from janitorial, cafeteria, to nurse assistant or nurse extern. If you have a job on the inside, you will most likely be considered for an RN opening upon graduation. It took me 7 months to find a job, and I have friends who are still looking. You will be busy, so if you can even work contingent someplace weekends, this should help your chances.

My friends that had connections on the inside got in, or if they were already working in a hospital, they got in. I have healthcare experience, but they, who did not, got in because of people on the inside. If this is an option you have, secure it now, LOL!

I hope and pray when you graduate, you all do not go through what I have. I NEVER would have guessed this.

BSN's have more favor, so if you are contemplating just going for it, do so!

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Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown.

Great tip and very true! I graduated in '07 and those of us who had worked as externs or aides had secured jobs within their respective facilities prior to graduating and taking NCLEX.

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How do you even get a hospital job of any kind? I have heard it is almost impossible unless you already have contacts on the inside.

How did you get your first hospital job? I am only taking pre-req still to apply to the nursing program. What type of position would you recommend I try for without job skills? I dont even have a resume and some of the hospital its all online now.

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How do you even get a hospital job of any kind? I have heard it is almost impossible unless you already have contacts on the inside.

How did you get your first hospital job? I am only taking pre-req still to apply to the nursing program. What type of position would you recommend I try for without job skills? I dont even have a resume and some of the hospital its all online now.

I wish I knew. I just finished my first semester of nursing and I apply for ANY hospital job that I can and I never get interviews. Seems like you have to call and find the right person to talk to or know someone.

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Apply, Apply, Apply!

I was very frustrated last year trying to get a tech/extern/student job but just kept applying and finally found something. It took me five months of applying and probably 100 applications then suddenly I got a ton of calls in a matter of two weeks. Late spring seems to be the best time for finding a position as many of the student workers are graduating and moving into graduate positions, plus they know it's easier for for students to do orientation then.

-Make sure your resume is done well and make sure it highlights your nursing skills from school. I downplayed my previous career since it had nothing to do with nursing, but included all my jobs to show that I was responsible and hard working.

-It does help to include the name of a person you know on the application. BUT, make sure that this person is hard working and responsible! I had applied to several Beaumont jobs and heard nothing, then thought to include my PA friend's name on one (with her permission) and got a call that afternoon. Sure the job was put on hold, but it got me a call and interview. But, knowing someone is not everything as I didn't know a single person in the hospital system in which I work.

Good luck! I know your frustrations and it is not fun. But once you get a job you are going to learn a ton, and it will be worth the stuggle!

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How do you even get a hospital job of any kind? I have heard it is almost impossible unless you already have contacts on the inside.

How did you get your first hospital job? I am only taking pre-req still to apply to the nursing program. What type of position would you recommend I try for without job skills? I dont even have a resume and some of the hospital its all online now.

Make a resume then!

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Thanks, I really need to do that. I have been a full time mom for 18 years but I did have a liscensed daycare for a few years.

Outside of that Ive just been going to school part time.

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Specializes in ICU.

Can a new grad work a contingent position? The OP mentioned it in the first post. Thanks!

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Specializes in Clinic Nursing, Family Planning, OR.
How do you even get a hospital job of any kind? I have heard it is almost impossible unless you already have contacts on the inside.

How did you get your first hospital job? I am only taking pre-req still to apply to the nursing program. What type of position would you recommend I try for without job skills? I dont even have a resume and some of the hospital its all online now.

Hospitals jobs aren't easy to get! But going into nursing school is the BEST way to make some contacts. I was blessed to sit down in my A&P class the first day of my pre-reqs and make friends to a current hospital employee. After a couple weeks of talking, mostly him of how much he loved his job, I asked for the heads up for any openings. A couple weeks later he had mentioned an opening, he put in a good word, a couple weeks later I was in! Definitely don't be afraid to start at the bottom. I started as a Patient Transporter in the ER, then to a Nurse's Aide in PMR and have been there ever since (A combined 3 years, I'm 21 now). I graduate this May, and compared to those without hospital jobs, I feel as though I'll be a lot better prepared for the in's and out's of hospital work. Don't give up!! It'll happen for you. Even volunteering can be a good inside. Good luck! :D

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