Entering final semester

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Hey everyone,

So I'm entering my last semester of nursing (RN) school in August, (yay!) but the truth is I'm scared to death. I'm barely 21 years old, the only jobs I've ever had we're at restaurants as a waitress/dishwasher, and although I've dreamed of having this problem for a very long time reality is really starting to set in. I've taken over 100 hours of college courses, I've presented myself to a room full of professionals before, I'm an assertive person with a "go-getter" personality but pursuing my lifelong dream scares the hell out of me. What all do I need to be doing now to prepare for life as a graduate nurse, then RN? How do i even begin to prepare a resume for a nursing position or plan for an interview? I intend to stay in school until I achieve a masters(FNP) but I need to find a job when I graduate with my ADN in December and there's only about 4 major hospitals in my very rural area....these hospitals are scattered throughout about 50 miles. I'm scared I won't be able to find a job, wondering if I need to be pursuing a nurse tech or CNA job right now. I also wonder if I should have been studying this whole summer that I've been off, after last semester I just really needed the break from the stress but now I feel like I may have done myself an injustice by disregarding my textbooks. Can anyone offer me any advice or just tell me that they feel/have felt the same way? I appreciate you all, sometimes the only people who can make you feel better are those going through the same thing.

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In my last semester, we had a leadership class and an exit exam. Leadership is great to select a hospital that you may be interested in or an area that you may be interested in. Would be good for you to have a couple of recommendations also. So keep it in mind. Mainly study for your exit exam. The exit exam is a bit stressful by itself.

If you can do pass the exit exam easily and have enough time, consider: internship, work study, volunteer programs that your school has with any of the local hospitals otherwise just finish up your school and get a good gpa

You may want to set up your bon and pearson vue information so you can take your exam as soon as you graduate. This would save you time.

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In my last semester, we had a leadership class and an exit exam. Leadership is great to select a hospital that you may be interested in or an area that you may be interested in. Would be good for you to have a couple of recommendations also. So keep it in mind. Mainly study for your exit exam. The exit exam is a bit stressful by itself.

If you can do pass the exit exam easily and have enough time, consider: internship, work study, volunteer programs that your school has with any of the local hospitals otherwise just finish up your school and get a good gpa

You may want to set up your bon and pearson vue information so you can take your exam as soon as you graduate. This would save you time.

Thank you, I appreciate your help.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I think you are worrying ahead of time. None of the those things have occurred yet, so just chill for a while. Just take one goal at a time. And breathe

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I think you are worrying ahead of time. None of the those things have occurred yet so just chill for a while. Just take one goal at a time. And breathe[/quote']

Thanks, I do tend to stress about things that haven't happened yet...I just hate getting blind sided. I need to hear this every once in a while. ?

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Yes you are freaking out a little. Check out job fairs, volunteer at some of those hospitals to get your face around the floors. Focus on doing well your last semesters and talk with professors you know well about connections they might have. Most colleges have a career center that can help you with your resume as well. Breathe, make a list of what you need to do, talk to an advisor at your program, and make a list of what you want to do throughout the semester. Good luck!

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Hi, I am also entering my last semester in August. The best advice that I have been given is to apply to the hospitals that you want to work at early. Maybe around October to get your application in and a job offer early.

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Thank you all, I really appreciate it.

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I too am entering my last semester and will graduate in December :woot:. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! We had a 4 month summer break, and I didn't want to get rusty, so I have just been doing NCLEX practice questions, but no specific studying. I have tried to do 50 questions a day, and it seems like it has helped.

I too am worried about finding a job as there is only ONE hospital where I live. I really want to work in the hospital, but our hospital requires 3 years experience. The only way around the 3 years is to successfully complete their Nurse Residency program, which is hard to get into (120 applicants for 30 spots). It is a two month program and after you complete it, you can apply for a job without the experience :( I am so freaking nervous about getting in. I will work at a care center if I need to, it is just not where I want to be. My town of 140,000 people only has so many options, luckily my school does not flood the market with new nurses!

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I too am entering my last semester and will graduate in December :woot:. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! We had a 4 month summer break, and I didn't want to get rusty, so I have just been doing NCLEX practice questions, but no specific studying. I have tried to do 50 questions a day, and it seems like it has helped.

I too am worried about finding a job as there is only ONE hospital where I live. I really want to work in the hospital, but our hospital requires 3 years experience. The only way around the 3 years is to successfully complete their Nurse Residency program, which is hard to get into (120 applicants for 30 spots). It is a two month program and after you complete it, you can apply for a job without the experience :( I am so freaking nervous about getting in. I will work at a care center if I need to, it is just not where I want to be. My town of 140,000 people only has so many options, luckily my school does not flood the market with new nurses!

Your situation sounds much the same as mine, only our town has about 20,000 in it and there are 3 different nursing programs (LPN included) and 1 hospital. The hospital doesn't require the 3 years experience but the new CNO is not very fond of hiring graduate nurses. I will be moving in a couple of years but I'd really like to save up some money before we have to move, I have thousands invested in student loans. : (

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I am from a small area. A lot of jobs happen by word of mouth, not really like in the big city of applications. Although, applications do count, it also helps to have people know how you are, and to have good references. Sometimes some hospitals have a hire from within policy. That means that if you have a position in the hospital, they will look in house for the skills needed before going outside.

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