How do you apply for jobs without having a license

ZanatuBelmont · Jul 9, 2009

I've been applying for jobs but I feel like an idiot because I don't have my license yet. I have 14 more days ( I thought it was 17 but pinning is on July 22) and I'm trying to get a head start. For those of you who are about to graduate how do you present yourself on your resume, application, and interviews ? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You need to be sure to include a cover letter. In it you should make note of your official graduation date, expected time to become a GVN, and time frame you intend to take the NCLEX examination. Let them know you are serious about securing employment prior as soon as possible.

On my resume I included all the courses I studied in nursing school. If you have no prior healthcare experience in the workforce, use what you do have. I had to turn my three and a half year stay at Home Depot into something that looked like it related to patient care (I boasted my ability to effectively communicate and problem solve). Then again I have been a Nurse Tech for the last six months, so I'm sure that helped me out a bit.

One of the most important things you can do is list all clinical and volunteer hours you performed during your program. Sometimes an employer will count your clinical experience as actual experience and can benefit you over someone who neglects to list any of their clinical rotations. Be sure to include what floors you rotated on, too (Oncology, Telemetry, etc.). I have more than 800 clinical hours under my belt, or in terms of my resume, five months hands-on clinical experience (that's 160hr/month (x) 5 months = 800 clinical hours) plus six months nurse tech exp., totaling nearly a year experience in healthcare and direct patient care.

Hope that helps and good luck.

pharmgirl · Jul 10, 2009

Hey nursing student19....this has absolutely nothing to do with your question but I would love to read your pinning speech when you get it written. Can you pm me or something?

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2009

Thanks for the reply Z.B. I'm going to add those things into my resume/cover lette. Pharm girl I would love to show you my speech, I didn't save it but I will send it to you as soon as I re-write it.