Getting the job you want after school?

[strawberryswing]

This may be jumping the gun a little (I was just accepted into an accelerated nursing program that starts in May) but I was wondering what (if anything) I could do while in school that would help with job placement when I graduate? What do you think matters most on your resume when you don't have experience as a nurse yet? If I am already somewhat interested in a specialty, is there anything I can do to increase my chances of getting a job in that area right out of school? Just curious what those who love the jobs they found right out of school did right Any advice or input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

[ereed1304]

The best thing you can do, if you have time, is to get your cna license and either work or volunteer through school. One or two days per week will be more than enough. Good luck to you!

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Getting a CNA, PCT, or nursing student position somewhere after your first class is always good for seeking that first position. But definitely be willing to look at first jobs in areas other than your specialty of choice, at least at first. If I got the job I really wanted directly after graduating, I would be retired. Work is always gonna be work, especially the first year or two, so just try to be open and build your skills.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

From experiences shared on this site (and on the unit I work on), the best thing you can do is to work as a CNA, tech, unit clerk, anything really. I'm starting as an ER Tech, and my manager was happy to point out that most of the RNs working that day worked as ER Techs while in nursing school. I don't feel like a job in the ER is a sure thing when I graduate, but I do feel that I have greatly improved my shot at it.

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

Working as a PCA or an extern on the floor you want to get hired onto is really helpful. It's also good to feel around and see if you know anyone that has connections, as that is how I got my job in the ED fresh out of school. I worked with a guy (I worked a retail job all throughout school, had no hospital connections), who had no college education, and I never would have thought to ask him, but he grew up with, and was good friends still with the VP of nursing at my hospital. One word from him and she had me hired on in the ED, which was the only area I wanted.

[CC Wisconsin]

If your accelerated program is anything like mine, you won't have time to work during school, so hopefully you have already been working in the healthcare setting. During school, keep your eyes open to create contacts. All of my clinicals were at one hospital...if yours are at various hospitals, always go in and talk to the nursing supervisor and I would even periodically email them to maintain communication. If you have your foot in the door at one place, it's always a good start.

In my program, we have to keep a log of all of our hours and diagnoses that we see. I'd recommend doing the same, that way when you go to an interview you can bring a sheet along saying that you have X amount of hours on X unit and you've seen all of [these] types of diagnoses.

[soxgirl2008]

Like others have said, the best thing you can do is try to get your foot in the door at a hospital. Many hospitals offer student nurse intern programs after you finish 1st semester, and are flexible with scheduling. I'm not sure about where you live, but around here the only people that didn't have trouble finding a job already worked in healthcare

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Be grateful if you get even one job offer, and take it.

No learning is ever wasted; communicating that to an interviewer gives you a huge advantage over someone who can't-- or won't.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Be grateful if you get even one job offer, and take it.

No learning is ever wasted; communicating that to an interviewer gives you a huge advantage over someone who can't-- or won't.

Yes.

I've seen several threads where new grads state that they have been offered a job in LTC/Rehab but they want to hold out for NICU or ER or something.