Getting hired without nursing experience

shenanigans_RN · Apr 16, 2015

Here's my story/experience as a new grad who didn't do an externship. Right after graduation I worked as a nursing assistant at a summer camp for special needs kids. At the end of the summer I passed the NCLEX and started applying for hospital jobs. After a few weeks of nothing I turned to retail. I finally got a nursing job about 6 months later, working pediatric home health/private duty. I continued to apply to hospitals, and after 2 1/2 years I was finally called for an interview. I just now (after working PDN for 3 years) accepted a position in a rehab hospital. I'm still considered a new grad since I don't have "acute care" experience. My suggestion is apply for anything and everything! Good luck!

claddagh · Apr 16, 2015

Thanks for responding! Sounds like a long road. You must live in an area in a very saturated market. I'm lucky to live in an area where new grads have an easy enough time getting jobs in an acute care hospital, especially if they are flexible on hospital and position. I just feel like going to school outside of the region and not having my foot in the door anywhere could put impede me getting a job. Do you feel like not doing an externship hurt your prospects or is it just tough getting a job in altogether in your area?

shenanigans_RN · Apr 16, 2015

Not doing an externship was definitely a bad move on my part. I live in NJ, and all of my classmates (who did externships) immediately got jobs in either NJ or NY.

claddagh · Apr 16, 2015

I was secretly hoping all your troubles were caused by living in CA lol. I'm from NY, but outside the city so I may have a better chance (and not from Long Island either). Did employers ever give you any answers as to why you weren't hired or was it more of an issue of just not hearing back from them?

shenanigans_RN · Apr 16, 2015

I never heard back from 2 of them, and got the standard "thanks but no thanks" email from the third. Most of the applications I filled out ask about med/surg experience, and when I put "none" I think it immediately put me into the reject pile. It's just so hard to get your foot in the door. But who knows...maybe you'll get called and hired by the first place you apply!

amanduh55 · Apr 16, 2015

Good morning!

I just wanted to say that optimism and patience is key. I have NEVER worked in the healthcare field and graduated nursing school in December. Not to mention from an ADN program. I immediately registered for my NCLEX and sat for my boards in the middle of January and passed. I applied to over 100 job openings no matter what the posting said. If it said experience preferred or required I still applied. I got hired on a med/surg unit in suburban Chicago in the beginning of March.

A positive attitude is the key to this experience. Just don't forget your worth and in an interview you will kill it just by being yourself. You will do great if you keep a positive attitude.

Good luck!

claddagh · Apr 16, 2015

Shenanigans- thanks! And I hope you find what you're looking for in a job soon.

Amanduh, I have pretty much the same plan of attack! I'm going to move back home for financial reasons, but I plan to apply far and wide in my region. Did you apply for just med/surg or did you try for specialties too? Did you have previous work experience that you played up?

shenanigans_RN · Apr 17, 2015

Thanks. I was offered a job in a rehab hospital a few weeks ago. Starting mid-May. And yes, apply for anything and everything. I used to joke with my friends whenever I got a rejection email. "What do you mean I'm not qualified for the icu?!" Haha

willimina · Apr 18, 2015

I spent the last couple months trying to stay optimistic and applying for jobs every single day. I had no work experience in healthcare, but I just got my dream job.

Nursing involves a lot of teaching, which you have experience with. And caregiving. When asked how I compare to other candidates who did have previous healthcare experience, I focused on my strengths. Working in retail taught me customer service, which is absolutely necessary in nursing. As a manager of that retail store, I learned to prioritize and delegate. I learned valuable multitasking and organization skills. Your work experience has likely given you more skills than you realize!

claddagh · Apr 20, 2015

Thanks for your response Willimina! Did your interviewer seem impressed by your outside experience? Obviously, you got hired, but do you think that you might recommend even emphasizing that hiring someone from a non-healthcare background might bring someone with refreshing skills to a team. I don't want to downplay the value of previous healthcare experience, but I think it might be valuable to spin my other skills as something equally important in nursing. I also don't want to come off as desperate to get hired because of my lack of experience, but that might be worth a separate discussion.

willimina · Apr 20, 2015

Absolutely! Healthcare experience is very valuable, but my other work experience has prepared me in ways that CNAs/techs may not have experienced. I think there's a lot you can say regarding coaching, swim instructing, and life guarding. I wouldn't even compare them in an interview. I'd simply focus on positives and strengths that you have. You had to be alert and observant as a lifeguard. As an instructor, you had to consider different learning styles and developmental levels to find methods of teaching each individual student. Coaching involves leadership and motivation.

As someone who was feeling quite desperate a couple weeks ago, try to hold onto your worth! Work every single day toward job searches and networking. I also became ACLS certified during that time to try to make my resume more competitive. Something will come up if you keep working hard!