How did you find your first nursing job?

JPine · Oct 28, 2006

I applied to my choice hospital three weeks after passing my NCLEX. I didn't get hired by this hospital until 10 weeks after passing the NCLEX. Yes, I had to shake the bushes and I'm not so sure it was worth it.

JPine · Oct 28, 2006

Oh, I found my job by looking on the hospitals web site.

yadda_yadda_yadda, LPN, LVN · Oct 29, 2006

In 1993, when I graduated, we attended a 'Career Day' ---There were dozens of facilities set up with recruiters, etc.

Many of the facilities held presentations telling about their work environment, etc.

Afterwards, our nursing instructors had our class 'vote' and select a few of the places we'd been exposed to at Career Day for field trip/tours... and one was a State Prison in TX (where I attended LVN school)

I'd already been in touch with the DON prior to the tour regarding a posted position -- I can still recall the excitement I felt as she pulled me aside from the group to chat with me...sharing that she truly wanted me aboard her nursing team! Talk about being excited!

I was hired on a contingency 2 months BEFORE taking the NCLEX ...later passed State Boards...and thoroughly LOVED my 5+ years there.

Just reading your message 'took me back' ...gave me a little stroll down Memory Lane.

I was 1 of 3 in my class that actually had jobs BEFORE graduation.

The 'right job' is out there for you! I highly reccomend monster.com as a search option, in addition to your 'regular job hunting'

I found my present position using their site.

Post your resume & see what happens--it never hurts to 'have several irons in the fire', you know!

AuntieRN · Oct 29, 2006

I was working there already as a Nurse Tech and knew I would have a position as an RN when I finished. I took my boards on Oct 5th found out I passed on the 6th and started general orientation 2 weeks ago. I start my orientation on the floor this week.

truern · Oct 29, 2006

During my last semester of clinicals I KNEW I wanted to work on that unit!! I applied while still a student, interviewed, and was hired contingent on my passing the NCLEX.

I work with a great bunch of nurses...of course I already knew that :)

jill48, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2006

I had already been working at the facility for years. Started out at the bottom working in the cafeteria, then as a unit secretary. After passing the LPN boards, I was in like Flynn.

RN(MH) · Oct 30, 2006

I loved my first nursing job. I had done a couple of placements on the ward as a student, my acute placement and part of my management placement, and was recruited because of this. Didnt really have much of an interview, as I had already proved I was capable of doing the job. Was great.

dona4jc · Oct 30, 2006

I worked as a monitor tech in our unit. I told our nurse maneger about my intention of working there as nurse when I pass the NCLEX and she said, yes, you will be a nurse here. When I passed the NCLEX I submitted my internal application and got my training and boom!! I've been here since May 2005, my first job as a nurse! :)

suzy253, RN · Oct 30, 2006

I graduated from a 3-yr diploma program and the hospital associated with our program gladly takes on new grads. I got the floor I wanted, the preceptor I wanted and am having some tuitition reimbursement as well.

Sunny01 · Nov 8, 2006

I did it the old fashion way...applied, went to interviews, waited...and finally got the job. I finished school in a different state then the one I permanently live in, therefore I could not accept offers while I was still in school (since the offers were from hospitals in that state).

Liliana98 · Nov 9, 2006

I got a job while I was finishing up my last year of school, at the same hospital where I completed my last clinical rotation. I knew what unit I wanted to be working on, went and talked to the Nurse Recruiter and got hired shortly after.