How to land a job as a New Grad.

[raskol]

Brevity is not my strongest area, so I apologize in advance. But I hope this helps.

How to get a job (in my personal experience):

1. Start early. While in nursing school focus on doing well in school (but I only graduated with a 2.9 GPA... so I don't think that is the most important factor.. but it definitely helps). Make a point of learning outside of the classroom. Go to conferences, courses, and get as many certifications as you can. Before I was even a senior nursing student in my BSN program, I had taken courses in trauma, pediatric trauma, 12 lead intrepretation, geriatrics, and I was ACLS certified. Not only do these expand your knowledge and therefore your confidence, it is a great networking tool. I also joined three professional organizations (NSNA, ANA, AACN). Also, while in school.. try and get recommendation after each clinical so the instructor as you fresh in your mind and you won't be trying to hunt people down two years later. Also, having a copy makes it easier when you apply for multiple jobs.

2. Think work experience. You will not get the coveted nursing experience while in school, but if you wisely choose positions related to nursing it will help you tremendously in the job search. My experience is in EMS and PCT at a level one trauma center. I highly recommend both positions (although any other allied health related job is great). EMS taught me how to do assessments, give reports, exposure to many different traumas, and be the leader of a team, etc etc. Working as a PCT taught me basic nursing skills, time management, and overall how a hospital operates. Again, another networking tool.

3. Treat your job search as a full time job. I have read this but no article fully explains it. To me, it was scheduling my job search as a time-line. Here is what I did roughly. The key to me was research.

Senior Year Nursing.

September-October: Research research research. I spent a lot of time looking at the job prospect, what other new grads were doing, what programs I should be attending. Etc etc.

November: I started researching more specifically programs that I wanted to apply. I first examined myself. What type of nursing did I want to do? Where did I want to go? What were my absolute desires? What was I willing to give up? I knew I had to be realistic in my search. I definitely wanted a level one trauma center/major teaching hospital. I definitely wanted telemetry. I didn't really care where in the U.S. it was. I didn't want ortho. Etc.

December: Fine-tune my resume. I spent about a week updating my resume. I look at hundreds of samples online and tweaked it to my liking. I redid it probably ten times that week and had all my family to read it over and over to correct typos I missed. I made mine two pages. Made a section for nursing student, bulleted key points, and added the courses I took. BRING YOUR RESUME WITH YOU EVERYWHERE. You have no idea when it might be useful. Invest in good paper. I also wrote a strong template for my cover letter that made it easy to personalize to each hospital.

January: After narrowing down my list of hospitals that met my criteria, I applied. I focused on new grad residencies positions that posted they would look at new grads so I didn't feel like my time was completely wasted. Keep a speadsheet on what jobs you applied for when, expecially if you have to send follow up information (transcripts, etc).. as it can become one blur. Many residencies have due dates that other girls in my class didn't know about. For the jobs you really like, send in your resume via mail in addition to the online application.

Feburary: Prepare for interviews. Buy a suit. No exceptions. Buy a portfolio to hold your resumes. Practice interviews (behavioral..what would you do if.. and where do you see yourself..) Think of questions to ask the interviewer. My favorite one to ask was "What are major initiatives on your floor this upcoming year?". Know the hospital you are interviewing for. Tell them why you are a great addition to their team, why their hospital is the place to be. Write a thank you note. Send immediately.

March: Went for my interview.. got the job three days later on a dream floor.

April-May: Just focus on school, being psyched you are getting the job!!

I also got rejected from numerous programs (the few that actually inform you that they picked someone else), a phone call from one MAJOR MAJOR hospital..but that's it, no interview, and an interview at the hospital I work at now, but I ended up refusing because I was happy with the job I got. My start date is two months away and I am lucky to just focus on finishing my finals and taking my boards.

[nilla]

Very nicely put . Good info/tips! Also, be persistent! It'll take you far

[sourapril]

So it is possible to get a job before you take the board? Did you use your connections?

[raskol]

So it is possible to get a job before you take the board? Did you use your connections?

Yes. I received my job offer in March 2011. I started applying for jobs in January 2011. I graduate May 2011.... and I actually took the job I got cold. I did not have any connections with the hospital, or even the state. I applied via on-line application and was offered an interview. So.. networking is important.. but I didn't need it.

[SNIXRN]

VOLUNTEER! VOLUNTEER! I started volunteering four hours every Sunday at my dream job hospital. It was hard, I had no life while volunteering, going to school and working but I applied to their extremely competitive new grad program and landed my dream job 2 months before I graduated.

[jelly221,RN, MSN]

Where are you located in the country? I applied for a few jobs while in my last semester (I graduate in 4 weeks) but was rejected every time. In SoCal, the RN market is so saturated they won't even interview you unless you're licensed. I've been told by a few charge nurses to go and speak with nurse recruiters during preceptorship, so that's my plan for the next few weeks. =)

[biblepoet]

I think the biggest key on getting first job or any new job is persistance. Landed first job and knew it was not for me but then worked full time and looked till I found a better job.

[sourapril]

agreed with the post above. Persistance was the reason I got my first job even though I had to wait for 3 months.

[JennAgain]

Thank you so much for this information!! I think it is going to be very helpful in my job search as a new grad.

[mstacyi]

Hi I would like to join some professional organizations (NSNA, ANA, AACN) too. can u share how to join and give me the links to them if you have them. Also what is the qualifications and things i need to do as i become a member?