What can I do to build up my resume as a future RN?

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I'm planning to attend an evening nursing program in the spring. It's 2 years and for RN. I have no experience in the healthfield except maybe 2 months as a companion to an elderly couple. I want to build up my resume and gain experience so when I graduate in 2 years, I can get a good job. What are some good jobs/ideas? I heard some schools give you a CNA license after a semester of nursing school. If my school has it, I'm considering being a CNA. Also volunteer?

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When I was in nursing school, a local hospital had a "Student Nurse Float Pool". You just had to be a nursing student. I got to pick my own schedule, could work 4, 8 or 12 hour shifts and gained alot of experience because we were sent to different places all around the hospital instead of going to the same area every day. You should call around and see if any hospitals have that in your area. CNA work is probably the best experience for a nursing student. Also at my school, you were considered a CNA after the first semester but you werent actually certified unless you took the state test whioch was 75 dollars but alot of hospitals will hire you with just the 1st semester of school behind you.

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I agree with the previous post. CNA after one semester is the way to go. i worked on a specific floor but in retrospective I wish I had gone into the float pool. You made more money, experienced different types of patients and situations. Also I think your chances of being hired in the facility are better if you know a number of different staff from different floors. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Get all the related you experience you can. If you can get a job that pays, terrific. If not, volunteer. If that experience can be with the patient population that interests you most, even better.

Another option that students overlook is to try to take advantage of any opportunities your school provides to tailor your class projects towards your specialty of interest. That's not always possible, but sometimes it is -- and many students miss opportunities to do that. For example, if you are required to write a paper for a class, pick a topic that relates to an area that particularly interests. Don't just think of it as another assignment to be done: think of it as an opportunity to learn more about your interest area and to show a future potential employer that you have done some "extra work" in that area. Such a student project might be one you want to list on your resume or put in your professional portfolio.

For example, many years ago when I was a student, I did a student project on newborn assessment. I listed in on my resume. I don't know if it helped me get my first job in a neonatal ICU -- but I did get the job over other applicants and it certainly didn't hurt that they knew I had shown that interest as a student and gotten the extra clinical learning that project provided.

Get good grades and have positive relationships with your faculty members. Regardless of what anybody says, grades do matter -- and can sometimes make a difference in getting a job. Faculty recommendations can also help.

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Specializes in Med/Surg and ANCC RN-BC.

Also think about volunteering at hospitals on the floor, that way it shows future employees that you are involved in what's going on. I agree with also getting your CNA license. That way you can work, gain experience and get your foot in the door at that facility.

also become apart of the student nurses association. that looks really good too on resumes.

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volunteer, do preceptorship outside of nursing school, yes, become a CNA and work PER DIEM while in school is a bonus.

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If I could go back in time I would have gotten a job as an aid on the hospital and floor I was interested in after my first semester of nursing school. The main reason for that would be to network, get on the managers good side, and let them know what your plans are after you graduate. If they like you, that's an easy hire. Also, you don't technically get your CNA license after your first semester, but most hospitals will accept nursing students who have completed the first clinical semester in that role. My problems was that I didn't have to work, and I was so busy being a mom and nursing student that I figured I'd just wait to get a nursing job. BIG mistake on my part. The ONLY people who got new grad jobs at my school were aids on the floor during nursing school, or friends and relatives of managers. Also, you can apply to summer externships.

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Specializes in CEN, CPEN, RN-BC.

Not sure where you are from, but in the commonwealth of PA, one can take the CNA practical and exam after successful completion of the first semester of nursing school. I believe it's through the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

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Not sure where you are from, but in the commonwealth of PA, one can take the CNA practical and exam after successful completion of the first semester of nursing school. I believe it's through the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

Hmm...this is good to know. I was not aware of this! Thanks for sharing.

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Hmm...this is good to know. I was not aware of this! Thanks for sharing.

In California you can also take the CNA exam after your first semester f nursing school. I am in my first semester, and just got a job as a unit clerk. I donplan on getting my CNA license after my first semester.

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This is a great question especially in the current job market conditions...Thank you for bring it up.

I am due to start working on my prereq in mid November and in three quarters get on the coveted waiting list - yes, it is a community college (both state and nationally accredited with a very solid and respected program). One of my prerequisites is to be on the state registry as a STNA (I will start and complete the course by mid November) and my nursing advisor highly recommended I do work as a STNA while on the waiting list if not before.

Here is my question - I am new to the field and will absolutely love to put my foor in the door and learn and learn anything I possibly can BUT I would also like to be smart about it and perhaps do some volunteer work, so that not to jeopardize my unemployment benefits (hopefully they will get extended) with a lower pay then my current job + the added worry about hours I can commit (not to obstacle my schooling) and lower pay (than my unepmloyment will be). Also, I would like to end up gaing the experience I will most benefit from but being new to the field how would I know what I would like to do if I have not started even clinicals yet?

My vague idea would be a fast paced environment (I am coming from a career in the administrative field and I do not wish to sit at a desk and count the minutes until the end of my shift), I can multi-task, I am a problem solver and would thrive if my decision-taking skills are challemged all the time. So, ER or ICU might be my best bet (or surgical RN?) but a previous post addressed the need of solid RN experience in order to be successful in any acute setting?

If every litlle bit of info counts on your Resume, please, help - I am not in my 20's and do not have much time to make the common mistakes and cannot afford "you learn from experience" in a climate we will be all lucky to get any job...

Thank you all for your input.

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Specializes in Quality Improvement, Informatics.
volunteer, do preceptorship outside of nursing school, yes, become a CNA and work PER DIEM while in school is a bonus.

What is "per diem" work?

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