How to make yourself "indispensable"? And a question about nursing education?

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It appears there's a lot of competition out there in the real world of nursing and the shortage is a myth. I'm a student (loving the challenge of nursing school, I've never been happier), but I'm wondering where I can get a leg up since I'll be considered inexperienced for a while (right?)- I've got my eye on travel nursing, and possibly CRNA for the travel opportunities. The nomad life is the life for me! So, from the perspective of nurses already immersed in the field, or armed with a specialty or higher education, is there anything I can do while in school to give myself an advantage in the field, internship-wise or networking or what-not?

Also, is anyone here a nurse educator, and how do you like it? I really love teaching, but to be honest I'd only consider it if the pay was worth the work, or if it sent me overseas. I don't know much about it but I'm curious about other's experiences with it.

Specializes in school nurse.

Become bilingual (or trilingual if possible.) Instant increased marketability.

Become bilingual (or trilingual if possible.) Instant increased marketability.

Perfect, great recommendation. I found an intensive immersive program recommended by a friend to help me on my way to fluency in Spanish. I'll enroll after my post-graduation travels! Maybe try to bag another romance language down the road?

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Being bilingual only pays if you work in the right place like a large Metro area. Otherwise, it is either useless or (if one speaks with an accent) provides fertile ground for rasists and abusers to grow and flourish upon.

Better invest time in some skill which is commonly used and problematic for many to perform (and can be converted in additional certificate/specialty, if needed). One who is really "good stick", or can fix any wound vac, or knows how to manage psychotic patient will be noticed, eventually.

Some of the new grads we hired into SICU worked there as unit secretaries or CNAs for their student jobs. They had built good reputations and showed that they could work well with the rest of the staff.

This tactic does not always work. After 4 years of CNA, my manager simply said that the hospital never hires new grads and does not have the budget to give much orientation. Make sure you pick a place where new grads get hired.

Work in a state with a true nursing shortage, and will hire new grads to work even in specialty areas. I had to move after I finished nursing school in Colorado, to North Dakota. Pay sucks, but you can gain experience in North Dakota in whatever specialty you want. Then you are golden to go anywhere.

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