Final Semester Nursing Student

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Hello All!

Long time lurker here! I just wanted some good advice on what I should be doing during my final semester of nursing school to prepare myself for a nursing job at a hospital.

Background:

I chose good grades over working while in school so I have a high GPA but no PCT/PCA experience.

I just got a volunteer position at my local hospital but I'm not comfortable relying on that to get a job in a hospital after passing my boards. I am however hoping it's a way in.

I'm aware that it's too late to get a PCT/PCA position as I will be graduating in less than three months.

I am also a BLS, PALS, ACLS holder. And and contemplating getting my TNCC certification before graduation.

Any advice would be helpful and appreciated! :cat:

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Specializes in NICU.
I just got a volunteer position at my local hospital but I'm not comfortable relying on that to get a job in a hospital after passing my boards. I am however hoping it's a way in.

Volunteering is an excellent way to network. You never know how an interaction with a patient, nurse, doctor, manager will snowball into an interview and job offer. It is much easier to hire a known person than an unknown person. Go into your volunteering with a great attitude and always friendly. The more memorable (in a good way) you are around the hospital, the easier it will be to get an interview.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Student forum for more replies.

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Can you get TNCC certified without ever working as an RN in the field?

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Specializes in NICU.
Can you get TNCC certified without ever working as an RN in the field?

You are correct. You need to be an RN to be certified.

Candidate Requirements

  • Active RN License
  • 80% or greater on the multiple course exam
  • 70% or greater on the skill station evaluation

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Thanks for letting me know

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@guy in baby land thanks for the tips!

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Start looking into hospitals that offer residency programs. A lot of places won't hire a nurse fresh out of school unless you were a tech in that department. Most residency programs conduct their interviews well before schools have graduation.

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@jbennett thanks for that. I've looked into that but the closest place that offers it is about an hour and a half away. The other place in Boston that used to no longer offers it.

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Unfortunately, that's the way it goes sometimes. The residency program I'm in is anywhere from 50 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes away, depending on traffic. Also, nothing says you have to follow through with it if offered a position or stay there very long. I plan on using it as a stepping stone to get where I want to be and I had a few friends use it as a backup plan in case they didn't get hired on anywhere else.

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