how did you get your job??

aachavez · Oct 30, 2011

I have checked out several (about 7 or 8) programs before deciding on the one Im starting in January. Several of the people that I talked to at these schools said that many students who do very well in clinicals are offered positions upon graduation. So use clinicals as a chance to prove yourself. I would also suggest looking at some volunteer opportunities, Red Cross, etc. It may not mater when its time to job hunt (or hey, may be it will ) but IMO, it would be a very valuable experience, as far as developing people skills, getting some exposure, and maybe even making some connections for future work.

Nierdo · Nov 1, 2011

i went to a job fair at a hospital for "employees only" even though I was not affiliated with them. Turns out i was late and most of the places were packed up and gone with about only 4 or so left cleaning up. I asked the receptionist if there were any jobs for new grads and she said oh i think there's one but maybe they left... this is for retiring or laid off employees only. :crying2: Walked up to a table and woohoo! found myself talking to the president of the company who was thinking about opening new grad positions! i handed her my resume and she contacted me a few days later telling me to come to an information orientation... guess that was my interview bc i got hired a few weeks later =)

leandrito · Nov 1, 2011

I agree with aachavez... I am a pre-nursing student, so far i am doing volunteer hours in a well know hospital in the PICU. si this last friday one of the ladies in charge told me to make sure to go to nursing school that after graduation she is going to make sure that at least i have an interview in that hospital.. my volunteer work shows how good i am going to be as a nurse.. ".. i was thrilled to hear that.. NOW i know where to go after graduation ina couple of years :)

allnurses Guide · Nov 1, 2011

I already had a job as a PCT in my hospital. I just transitioned over to an RN.

Even though it is extremely difficult to try to maintain a job in nursing school, having a job as a PCT gets your foot in the door.

While you are a PCT, throw your heart and soul into it because you will be judged by the work ethic you show.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2011

First job: hardware store in H.S. > Connections

Second job: hunting supply store in H.S./College > Right time, Right place

Third job: teacher (one spring semester) > Right time, Right place

Third job B: paramedic (part-time) > Connections

Fourth job: teacher > Connections

Fourth job B: paramedic (part-time) > Connections

Fifth job: deputy sheriff > Connections

Sixth job: police officer > Connections

Seventh job: law enforcement ranger > Connections

Eighth job: police officer > Right time, Right place

Nursing school: Right time, Right place

Eighth job B: police officer > Connections

Knowing the right people and complete luck have gotten me all my jobs over the many years.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Nov 2, 2011

My advice - apply, apply, apply! And if you are not getting any call-backs, take a look at your resume again. When I tried to apply for a job as an NT, I couldn't get any call-backs for the longest time. I kept tweaking my resume. I had friends who worked as NT's in that hospital who put in a good word for me. Finally I got a call, had an interview and got hired!

For the RN position, I again had to keep tweaking my resume. I graduated with my BSN from a program in Ohio in December 2010, then moved to Texas in May of this year (husband is Army). I knew no one here. I kept applying to one of the hospitals around here and despite tweaking my resume, I still never got a call. It was very frustrating. I was then looking into a hospital that is closer to my apartment. The requirements said ADN, 2 years of experience preferred, but I decided to apply anyway. I got a call that very same day, scheduled the interview and got the position! I made it very clear in the interview that I was a new grad with no previous RN experience; the only hospital experience I had was working as an NT for about a year and a half. My advice is to apply, even if the position says "1-2 years of experience preferred" or whatever.