How to stand out as a New Grad?

PrayToTheUnicorn · Jun 7, 2012

I am starting an ABSN program in August as well.

My plan of action is that I'll be leaving the whining and complaining, the texting in class, the excuses, the tardiness, the absences to others! My main goals are to never be late, always be early, be prepared so that I can ask thoughtful questions, watch what I say and how I conduct myself, always look presentable, go to office hours, use the school resources, make good relationships, volunteer for all shot clinics and community health fairs, get active on some kind of committee or student organization, and kick major a$$ all around to the best of my ability.

If I can manage to do most or all of these, I believe I will have the good grades and activities on paper, but more than that I will have the respect of my instructors who can, in good confidence, recommend me for a job and who are willing to be my reference for employment. Not one instructor will be willing to vouch for the ability of ALL of their students, but they will for the select few who were standouts. And I think that will go a long way in getting a job.

One of my personal goals in nursing school is to be the FIRST student that my professors think of if they are ever asked if there's a new grad they'd recommend for XYZ job.

allnurses Guide · Jun 8, 2012

The best thing you can do to get hired in a facility after graduation is to work there during school.

Treat EVERY interaction with anyone who has anything to do with the medical community, including your instructors, casual people you meet and all clinical encounters, as a working interview.

Take on leadership positions. Run for class office. Run for office in the student nurse association for your state.

Get into an externship if the opportunity presents itself.

Build connections. Every person you meet who has anything to do with the medical community is a potential connection that will zip you past all the other resumes and put yours in front of a hiring manager. Sell yourself by being likable, dependable and sharp.

rs02011988 · Jun 8, 2012

A lot of the students that were in my class were PCAs at the hospital. I think that helped them get their foot in the door and it also helped their skill level. I did not want to be a PCA. Instead I chose to find more unique part-time/summer jobs that would set me apart from the pack. I was a Health Supervisor at a Girl Scout Camp for a summer. I was a Life Skills Trainer at a rehab facility for people with traumatic brain injuries. I really wanted to work with children so I later worked as a Assistant Infant Teacher and a daycare center.

I also think networking is so important. This goes off of what not.done.yet said. Every single person you meet could know someone that could help you find a position of your dreams. Even people you meet that aren't really nurse-y per se may have a nurse friend who knows so and so. I worked part time at a candle store and was talking to a customer whose husband was a nurse hiring manager at a huge hospital where I live. At the daycare center a man (who was the husband of a woman that worked with me) worked at my counties public health dept. I met them for dinner and he told me of a position that was opening up. I got the job as a public health nurse working with kids!

Sorry for the rant, but good luck. Don't get intimidated by anyone being negative. You'll find your own way!

♑ Capricorn ♑ · Jun 9, 2012

A lot of the recent posts I've been reading are from new grads who can't seem to find a j-o-b or even get an interview. Is it really as bad as posters make it out to be? I usually find this site to be helpful and inspiring, but it seems that lately the more I read it the more scared I become of my future!
I'll be starting an ABSN program in the Fall, and want to be proactive to make myself an easy first choice to be hired in a sea of new grads in the metro NY area.
What makes a new grad stand out from the crowd?

I think it depends on the location and where you are at. Some areas may be more saturated with graduate nurses than others which can make competing for jobs a challenge after graduation. If you are willing to look outside of your area for potential jobs as well in NYC your prospects might be higher. Also, the first job may not be exactly your ideal job but its experience.

Honestly, you are just starting school (I will be too) graduation is what, two years away? Why worry about this now when nothing can be done. We aren't graduates yet, or even started. Not to say, we shouldn't think about it. But, things do change if ya know what I mean. :)

GetErDone · Jun 9, 2012

Thank you for your responses - I think you all have some great tips!

Networking seems to be a common thread... and to start with that, I've recently started volunteering in the maternity dept at a local hospital. Although I'm only answering the phone/call bells and letting in visitors I'm having a great time and really enjoying it. Since I volunteer at night there seems to be more time to get to know the nursing staff during the quieter times...and since they know I'm pursuing nursing they are happy to show me that little bit extra. I'm really happy I've done it!

@ Capricorn - My program is just over a year long so I don't think it's too early to start building up a solid resume or gain contacts or whatever it will take to make me more desirable. That is my point really. I don't want to here next year and wondering why I'm not being hired when all it took was a little more effort in the beginning to give me that little bit extra. I can be over the top at times, I get that though too, lol. Thank you for your post!

@rs - I like what you said about not getting intimidated by others negativity. I was really worried about getting into nursing school because of how "hard" I had heard getting into a program was. And well, I was accepted into all the programs I applied to (and with not the most competitive GPA (although in Engineering))...I'm not trying to make it sound like a cake walk, but it was definitely not as impossible as I had heard. Which is also why I'm questioning if it really is as hard to get a job as what I hear. Thank you for your post!

@not.done.yet - Your Maya Angelou quote hits close to home - "and when you know better, you do better." My neighbor had told me this once after I had my son. It changed my whole perspective. Thank you for your advice!

@PrayToTheUnicorn - Good luck in your ABSN journey and thank you for your great post!

aachavez · Jun 9, 2012

Networking is a must! You never know who might be in a position to influence whether you get a job or not.

Getting a letter of reccomendation from instructors, or even the dean can go a long way. I'll be volunteering at my local hospital, another chance to network.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2012

I was in your shoes a year ago ... just before I was starting my ABSN (on Long Island), I was worried whether or not I would get a job in this tight economy. Well, here it is a year later and I have graduated and will be starting a job next month (I got a job offer an hour after graduation lol ... I had interviewed twice within the prior month or so). I thank God that I was not one of those dreaded new-grad-no-job statistics I have read all too many times on allnurses. And I did not work during school, so it wasn't all about working during school because as you probably have heard, working during an ABSN is damn near impossible. So working is not the only way to do it. I do emphasize however that it is about building relationships and leaving an impression with EVERYONE you interact with in your clinicals (from the unit clerk and CNAs all the way to the charge nurse and the nurse manager - you never know who has pull to put in a good word for you), especially when you hope to work anywhere you do clinicals. If at all possible, try to do your clinicals all in the same hospital you intend to pursue employment, as it will give you an edge on knowing people. If you can't do ALL your clinicals at one hospital (as was the case for me), at the bare minimum do the clinical in which you hope to work at the same hospital you will seek employment. Network, network, network! And in clinicals, make sure you impress, do your best work and make sure your instructors see you as a great student ... after all, they will be writing your letters of recommendation when you apply for a job.

This is how I did it ... so as you can see, you CAN attend nursing school in NY and still get a job. You just can't sit on your but expecting to be noticed, you gotta do some legwork.

The ABSN is not easy at any school, but you will survive it as many of us have. GOOD LUCK!

juliaann · Jun 11, 2012

I'm in an ABSN program and I was offered my dream job (ICU) during my 3rd semester. I did an externship at the facility, worked my ass off, introduced myself to everyone, and then applied when I saw an opening posted. :) I cannot wait to graduate in July and get to work!

GetErDone · Jun 13, 2012

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. It is great to hear that it is POSSIBLE to find jobs once school is over...

@Paco - Great advice. What about the other students in your class, did they find it as easy to find jobs?

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2012

@Paco - Great advice. What about the other students in your class, did they find it as easy to find jobs?

I have not been in much contact with the rest of my class since graduation (been busy finishing my last clinical). I know at least 4-5 other students also have jobs lined up. Many others have had job interviews or in progress, so many are actively searching. One issue is that many hospitals in NY won't hire you until you pass NCLEX. My hospital however does hire you on a limited permit while you prepare to take the boards. I should be seeing a lot of people from my class next week @ NCLEX review so I will see how many more have secured jobs.

EmilyP8589 · Jun 15, 2012

You can get recommendations from your instructors. Those work very well. Also, if you know what hospital you want to work at and think you can handle a job alongside school, get a job as a tech on a floor or as a monitor tech (reading EKG's). I worked as a monitor tech (lots of time for studying at this job) and showed my boss what I had to offer and she saved a job in Surgical Intensive Care for me for two years prior to my graduation. Now that I'm out, I'm already familiar with the hospital and I got a HUGE advantage as far as the great post-graduation learning curve goes.