How can I best assure that I'll get job after nursing school?

[Skylarslaughter]

I've decided after months of stressing out over a decision that I am going to do this ADN nursing school no matter what. Because my dream is to work in the hospital and medical and help people. So now I am trying to be positive as much as I can, in spite of this recession and with the enourmous amount of new graduate nurses. This is my plan. I have only one year of required prerequisites, I'll apply to the RN program. If I get accepted right away, then I'll do it while taking some other science courses I may need in the future and do BSN bridging right after . If I don't get accepted...oh well, I'll just continue getting my A.A. and transfer to a University.

Here's the part I'm worried about....what if...like many other nurses right now, I can't get a job upon graduation and all that time spent goes wasted? Therefor I need to prepare. I need as many tips and advice as possible for getting a secured nursing job. My family is poor as dirt and already depressed as it is...I'd would be horrible if I went through nursing school to pursue my dream and never got it. =/

[zephyr79]

Definitely do a nurse extern program at your local hospital (externships are usally the summer before your last year in nursing school). Also if any of the hospitals offer scholarships apply to them, because they will most likely require that you fulfill at least a year at the hospital to "work off" the scholarship you received from them. It is a guaranteed job at graduation. I signed a 2 year contract with the hospital that I am externing at this summer. I am so glad that I did because now when I graduate next year all I have to worry about is passing boards and which department I want to work in. Good Luck on your journey.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Make a good impression at clinical as someone already stated. Apply for a tech position at a local hospital. Volunteer. Do what ever you have to do to get your foot in the door. Even dietary, or working a gift shop. Most of the time in house employees get first dibs on job opportunities.

Good luck and I wouldn't stress about it too much.

[GARN912]

I think the best thing to do (if you have the time to) is to try to either get a job as a tech/CNA or as a nurse extern at the hospital of your choice while you are in school. I worked at 3 hospitals while in school and was offered a job at all 3 by the time I graduated. Unfortunately, I was not from the town where I went to school so I had to decline these offers and move home. It was extremely difficult to find a job when I first graduated. The only thing that saved me is that my mother is a nurse and was able to get me in where she works after a 5 month job search. Every new grad in the place I work now either worked here in some capacity before graduation or knows somebody who knows someone else.

[DPSGraduateNurse]

OP: Nothing is promised to you, not even tomorrow. Nonetheless, you can only do what you can to get a job after school and that's, doing your best!

Best of luck!