How I Got a Job as a Graduate Nurse

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Specializes in CVICU/ER.

When I knew that nursing school was what I wanted to do, I started to take some classes. At the time I had a very good job making 31 dollars an hour but hated it every day. I took classes part time to just start again. I had been out of school for about 15 years. My job offered an educational buyout where for a period of 4 consecutive years, they would pay half my wages, 15k a year toward school as well as full insurance for my son, wife and I. It was an amazing thing.

When I quit my job I knew I needed to get a job in a hospital. I was working at a health food store at the time trying to make ends meet and I met a great lady. I told her I wanted to be a nurse and had some books out at the register to study with anytime business got slow. She told me her husband was a CRNA and I mentioned that I was ambitious and wanted to do that someday. He came in, I met him and he asked me if I wanted a job at the hospital he worked at. Of course I did. He got me in an entry level position as a transporter. I worked my behind off, met people in the hospital and was asked if I wanted to learn the PACU area. I did of course and made myself as valuable as I could. I worked there a while and knew I wanted to get some ICU experience at the start of nursing school. I went and talked to the director. He like the interest I showed and he hired me. I again worked as hard as I could.

There is a huge hospital in the inner city where I live that has a great reputation and is pretty rough. They had an opening in their ER and I put in for it my 3rd semester of nursing school. They decided to interview me because of my experience. I did well I feel and got the job as a nurse extern in a trauma one ER that usually has about 100 patients in it any one time. It's amazing experience. While doing this, I again tried to make myself valuable and learn as much as I could. The hospital staff is like no other. They are my family. Unfortunately for me at the time, they decided not to hire any new graduate nurses. I applied for some jobs in the system because I was to graduate in May. I got a call from a nurse recruiter to apply for a certain job. It just happened to be the MICU as a graduate nurse. I went in for an interview and they told me that they liked my past experience and my work ethic. They told me they heard I was a hard worker. I got the job. A couple days later, I was told I might have the chance to interview at the ER if I wished. I wanted the ER, but already gave a commitment to the MICU that I am not willing to break. It's nice to have two units that you love working for after you.

My point of all of this is during the whole way, I tried to make myself as valuable as I could and learn as much during the jobs and school. I networked my ass off and tried to meet people and not burn bridges. It's all about who you know and your work record is kind of like a running tabulation of you that is always running. If any bridges are burnt, it will red flag people. Talk to people. Make connections. Work hard. It can be done. I know that things just happened for me and I am very fortunate because so many people that are graduates are without work. It is a damn shame. I got lucky, but do feel as I helped to contribute to my luck by soaking up things. Like I said, it can be done.

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Great advice!

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Thank you for posting this. It's very inspiring and helpful to read other people's journeys to nurse-dom (is that a word? :p) I am just beginning my journey. I start my prereqs in 2 weeks. I am so nervous, but it is good to know that there are other students out there with dreams of becoming a nurse, who also have spouses and children and are successful at making it all work.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Very good advice...I got a job too..It is not the one that I wanted but it is a specialty area and I am cool with it. It is a cardiovascular hospital so I will learn a lot.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Congrats, chuckz!! And if you decide to transition to the ED in the future, the MICU experience will be an asset for sure. :)

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Awesome! Thank you for sharing that. I too have had doors just opening up to me left and right - I interview today for an externship in cardiac step down - not the specialty I ever dreamed of doing, but I am so excited I feel it vibrating all through me. Definitely a place to get valuable experience. I have been given tuition in exchange for a work agreement after graduation outside of this externship and feel like my odds of getting where I want to be just get brighter every day. I've been very aggressive about pursuing things from the standpoint of ensuring I build those contacts for after grad and it is already paying off.

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Specializes in Home Health, Nursing Education.

I like you and am impressed by what you did. Thank you for this. I need to figure out how to do this, too.

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@RN2BFW - Can you expound on how you made connections? I am due to graduate in 6 months and that is what I am trying to do as well. I keep a list of any doctor or nurse I have one-on-one that I deal with. Of course, we all want to do our best out there in clinical to get noticed. Beyond that, what did you do to network? Can I ask what state you're in? Thanks

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I am in Texas.

I have a lot of connections in the medical community and I stay in contact with them, finding out how their lives are going and updating them on mine, then utiliing the opportunity to state what my goals are and to let them know that I am looking.

Any time I hear of an opportunity, I JUMP on it. Right then, that moment. Not tomorrow. Not in a week. Not when I feel like it. I don't discriminate whether it is my dream position or dream institution or dream floor to work on, I just do it. I thank everyone I come into contact with in writing (NOT email). I am amazed how many hear about a scholarship but just never get around to applying or hear about an opportunity but never follow up....or wait a few weeks. Procrastination and insecurity will kill your chances. Act with urgency when you hear about something. Ask other people if they have heard of things. Visit the websites of places you want to work. Speak to instructors and let them know what you are looking for. Talk to those you know in the industry at least every couple of months. Basically build build build relationships and then move fast when something crosses your path. Don't second guess based on where or what the opportunity is. You can always turn something down when you have the offer. Making decisions prior to GETTING an offer is just plain foolish. Often one offer leads to finding out about others and if nothing else, it is practice in interviewing, which is very much a skill. Be goal oriented, be proactive, be bold. If someone knows about an opportunity, get a NAME.....and then use the name of the person who told you about it when you talk to the contact person. Have letters of recommendation. Keep written documentation of everything you have been awarded, from externships to scholarships to volunteer positions. Build a portfolio of your skills and experiences; review it constantly, scanning for holes and reminding yourself how much you CAN do. Etc etc etc. I have only just finished my first semester and already doors are opening to me. It is thus far all a matter of proactive persistence.

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I am in Texas.

I have a lot of connections in the medical community and I stay in contact with them, finding out how their lives are going and updating them on mine, then utiliing the opportunity to state what my goals are and to let them know that I am looking.

Any time I hear of an opportunity, I JUMP on it. Right then, that moment. Not tomorrow. Not in a week. Not when I feel like it. I don't discriminate whether it is my dream position or dream institution or dream floor to work on, I just do it. I thank everyone I come into contact with in writing (NOT email). I am amazed how many hear about a scholarship but just never get around to applying or hear about an opportunity but never follow up....or wait a few weeks. Procrastination and insecurity will kill your chances. Act with urgency when you hear about something. Ask other people if they have heard of things. Visit the websites of places you want to work. Speak to instructors and let them know what you are looking for. Talk to those you know in the industry at least every couple of months. Basically build build build relationships and then move fast when something crosses your path. Don't second guess based on where or what the opportunity is. You can always turn something down when you have the offer. Making decisions prior to GETTING an offer is just plain foolish. Often one offer leads to finding out about others and if nothing else, it is practice in interviewing, which is very much a skill. Be goal oriented, be proactive, be bold. If someone knows about an opportunity, get a NAME.....and then use the name of the person who told you about it when you talk to the contact person. Have letters of recommendation. Keep written documentation of everything you have been awarded, from externships to scholarships to volunteer positions. Build a portfolio of your skills and experiences; review it constantly, scanning for holes and reminding yourself how much you CAN do. Etc etc etc. I have only just finished my first semester and already doors are opening to me. It is thus far all a matter of proactive persistence.

Well said. I just graduated myself in CA and I have doors opening up for me that I thought I would never have. Before graduation I told myself I need to trust the skills, knowledge, and people skills that I do have and hit the ground running. Thankfully I started talking to my preceptors and nurse managers of the hospitals I was interested in early because now it is all paying off. A nurse manager called me to interview for them next month. All I can say is being proactive is key to all success and having the faith in yourself is important too. Good luck to everyone taking their future in their hands and making doors open :)

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@RN2BDFW I didn't see this until today. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it. I felt like I was doing a lot but I feel like I need to step up my game after reading your post. I feel your energy and drive as you write and I'll bet peope you come in contadt with do too.

I'm in Arizona and due to graduate in Nov '10. I'm interested in moving to the DFW area so I have been gathering info. When do you suggest I start actually applying? I'm thinking 3-4 months prior to graduation.

I've also created an online portfolio at http://tracyalbrant.blogspot.com/. I know I need to add more to it and I will. I created a profile at bright fuse and sent biz contact requests to recruiters (only got 3 who have accepted me so far though).

Anyway, good luck to you and everyone on this exciting journey!!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Internships are the foot in the door for new grads in the DFW area. They generally start in January and June respectively. If you graduate in November, start applying for internships in September for the January slots. Good luck!

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