I am afraid of not landing a job when I graduate :/

[karenonp]

I will begin my ADN program this August, and I am so afraid that I might not find a job after I graduate. I also heard that most hospital prefers to hire new BSN graduates rather than ADN graduates because BSN students have more education and training. I really need to make money when I graduate so I can save it up and then later apply to a MSN program. I am those type of people who think ahead about the future, and the thought of how a lot of hospital hire nurses who have 1+ year of experience is nerve wrecking.

so what are ways that can help new RN to land a job?

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Work as a CNA through school, do a ton of volunteer work. After your first year tale your LPN, work as an LPN for your last year of school.

Network network network.

[KareBear0609]

Knowing someone and/or having a connection is always good.

In addition, working your way up the ladder may help as well. Like me, I am working at a LTC facility right now as a CNA. I am currently taking a PCT course so that hopefully by the time I'm done with the course, I will have that course "under my belt" as well as one year experience working as a CNA. I am hoping to get my foot in the door at a very small hospital in my area working as a PCT. Then, hopefully I'll get my year in there and start applying at the big hospitals in my area as a PCT. Hopefully that will be enough to land a job as an RN. I'm just hoping to network a lot while I'm working my way up.

Good luck to you.

[Trilldayz,RN BSN]

Be an internal applicant by working with a hospital!!! THAT is one of the BEST ways to get a job right after graduation! Why would a company not want to hire "their own" first, before outsiders, you know?

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Jobs aren't as scarce here, but I'm concerned with employment. I'm already entrenched in another career and have the contacts and rep needed to changes jobs in the same field. I even did that to move a hundred miles and go back to school.

However, I don't know any hospital admin types that would hire me, and I hate the idea of filling out random applications and sending in resumes for jobs. It'll be like starting all over again from the bottom. Not cool. I can't remember how to do it, lol.

[juliaann]

Apply for externships as soon as you are eligible! In my area you have to be in your second-to-last or last semester to apply. The one at my hospital is 16 weeks and rotates through every department - plenty of opportunity to network and impress!

Also, see if a hospital in your area offers scholarships! Some places will scholarship part of your ADN or BSN in exchange for a year of work for every year they help you with tuition - usually these scholarships go to current employees first, but I know in my area/at my facility a non-employee can get one as long as they commit to coming here to work as a nurse after getting their RN.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

It is a very valid concern that is playing out for new grads across the country, ADNs in particular.

I would start making plans now to bridge immediately to BSN after getting your ADN, then apply for externships while you are in school and work those as if they are a working job interview (they are) while letting it be known you will be getting your BSN within two years of ADN graduation.

[CBsMommy]

It is a very valid concern that is playing out for new grads across the country, ADNs in particular.

I would start making plans now to bridge immediately to BSN after getting your ADN, then apply for externships while you are in school and work those as if they are a working job interview (they are) while letting it be known you will be getting your BSN within two years of ADN graduation.

This is exactly what I am doing. I applied for externships throughout the distance I'm willing to drive (which is quite far) and got an externship about an hour away from my house. My classmates look at me as if I'm crazy that I drive that far to go to work however I am getting invaluable experience (I can do all of the skills we've learned except meds) and it's only once a week while in school. This summer I plan on going full time. Oh, and it's paid. I agree with working it as if you are working a job interview (because it is)!

BTW, I will have a year's experience by the time I graduate and pass NCLEX....it might not be as a full new grad but I'm hoping that I will do a good enough job they will want to float me into their new grad program right away! Good luck to you!