Anything I can do in school to maximize ER hiring after graduation?

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

I would get a job in an ER as a tech. I had ten years experience as a paramedic when I became an RN and couldn't get an ER job because I was a "new grad". This tells a lot about what nurses think of paramedics. A personal contact will do you much better. If you are liked as a tech, not only will you have the inside track on job openings, but you will have an important personal contact.

mkjh · Sep 3, 2011

A job as an ER tech is your best bet.

And use your husband...as proven by certain people I work with, it isn't what you know, but who you know! Does your husband know anyone that works in the ER?

Emergency,RN · Sep 3, 2011

I would advise you to definitely try to get a student tech position in the emergency department. If you can't get one in that area, it is still a great idea to get a student tech position. Many hospitals like to hire within, even if you're not working in the exact area you would like to be as a tech. I was hired as a new graduate in the emergency department and I showed my interest in the area by doing a full 12 hour shadow of a nurse. I made a point to thank the nurse manager for the opportunity and I continued to show a strong interest. I was a student tech in another area, but it still made me stand out as a potential hire. Also you should network! If you know people in the area, definitely utilize them! I began to apply at the beginning of my last semester. Good luck!

Crux1024 · Sep 3, 2011

Why did you want a job other than ER tech? If youre not able to run ambulance, i would think thatd be what you would want to do.

mwboswell · Sep 3, 2011

I am a currently certified EMT-Intermediate, and I just started my first semester of nursing school. I know for sure I want to get into the ER when I graduate, but I also know that the job market in our area is very tight, and I'll need all the help I can get. I was running with our local ambulance company for a year, which I thought would help in getting me hired, but we had to move closer to school, and I'm no longer able to continue running with my agency. The agencies up here, all require paramedic, and fire certification, so I am unable to continue working on an ambulance while in school. I was just wondering if there was anything I could do while I was in school (other than finding an ED Tech job) that would maximize my chances of being hired into the ER after graduation. I have already made my professors aware of my interest, but they have already indicated there's nothing that can be done until 4th semester preceptorships, and that ER and ICU are in high demand, so I shouldn't count my chickens. I've ordered a few TNCC and CEN books from Amazon, figuring that although I won't be able to take the tests right away, my initiative has to count for something. Is there anything else I could do to increase my chances of an ER position when I finish? My husband works in the OR, and I know I can get a job in the OR, but the ER is where my heart is!

DollBabyKG....

I can only speak for my region (the southeast) and a few anecdotes from other parts of the country that I've heard from other RN's while i've been travelling/teaching.....

It looks like the nursing shortage is catching up with all departments, and YES there are a log of new RNs graduating every semester, so there should be enough RN's to go around right? Actually it's not so easy.

With a lot of the ER vacancies being filled with new grads w/o experience, some hospitals have had to cap the max percentage of their staff that can be "new grads" w/o prior nursing experience. Otherwise, it could possibly wind up that an entire shift or rotation is all "new grads" caring for Emergency patients and very little experience as an ED RN amongst the staff. And what I have seen, is that when the cap falls below the allowable percentage, it's typically first-come-first served for the open position(s).

So my advice, in order to maximize your hiring potential is to NOT be the "new grad" with no nursing experience. Go ahead and take any open job like a med-surg RN and get at lest 1 year of experience. Then when there's an opening after that, you'll be ahead of the rest of "new grad" candidates.

AGain, this is just my observations and I can't necessarialy speak for the entire nursing job market.

Best of luck! -MB

liatard · Sep 5, 2011

You could consider getting your ACLS / PALS certifications during your last semester / year of school. TNCC is an option but you have to have your RN license to be certified I believe; I wouldn't worry about CEN they recommend a year of practice before you attempt it.

A tech position would be your best bet, as you've already mentioned. I volunteered in an ED during nursing school and I'm sure that helped me. I just got hired in to a 6 month ED internship as a new grad, so it is possible! I had volunteer hours in the ED, a preceptorship in a trauma ED, ACLS and PALS, a good GPA, and strong recommendations, and I was a very desirable candidate. If you show initiative and passion you can make it work. You'll hear a lot of people tell you to do a year of med-surg first- it's always an option, but you don't need it. Good luck!

Robublind · Sep 5, 2011

I have to agree with everyone else,get an ED tech job or Unit Secr in the ED(in my area these are very hard jobs to come by). ACLS and PALS or they wont even look at you. TNCC and ENPC (Peds) is good to get after the NCLEX. But they are not going to hire you unless they know you.

MursingMedic, DNP, RN, EMT-P · Sep 6, 2011

I concur, make yourself stand out. I am a new grad and a paramedic of 6 years. I had no contacts in the hospitals around me since I was working an hour away from home.

Even though my agency only required ACLS, I became an ACLS instructor as well as keeping my PALS and getting NRP. As many of those nonsense letters you can add to your resume, the better.

When I had my interview I pointed out also that even though I am a baby nurse, I am a somewhat seasoned paramedic and know how the system works. I let them know that I have the skills and experience that other new nursing grads don't have one the first day of the job. If you go in there with confidence and let them know you're the one they're looking for, it will help if you're competing against others with less experience and credentials.

Good luck with school. Make sure you keep school as the main focus though. If you don't get through school, this conversation is pointless. (I had to keep remembering this myself as I tended to day dream quite a bit in class)

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 6, 2011

If you can't get a tech gig, go for an externship. Best way in other than tech.

mwboswell · Sep 6, 2011

Bottom line - the best way for a new grad to get a job is to get some nursing experience first. Take a med-surg job for a year.

1) you'll be employed and making $

2) in 1 year you'll have 1 more year's worth of experience than the new grads graduating then.

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2011

i dont know if ur school offers it, but do either an externship over the summer in ED (make $ too) or if they have it er elective. that way u can do nursing care and and make contacts with managers and such! :)