keeping your nursing skills up to date

[ronnyronoh]

since some places prefer hiring nurses with a year experience and as a graduate being hired is the only way of having a "year of experience." a recently graduate nurse is unable to find a job on time due to high number of experienced nurse. how can a graduate nurses maintain his/her nursing skills and knowledge up to date?

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

It has been 1.5 years since I graduated, and haven't found a job. For my skills, I'm looking into Continuing Education (my 'home' state requires CE credits to renew). I am also looking into getting common "certifications" that workplaces are looking for, such as ACLS, PALS & BLS.

I'm also bringing out my textbooks (and study guides) to refresh myself on some of the stuff I don't remember as well (I believe tests or verbal questions are common during some interviews of new nurses).

I decided I want to try to learn Spanish. There's even ways to get CE from some online Medical Spanish classes.

I haven't really started it yet, but volunteering or working as a CNA (if possible in your state) is another way to get some "experience".

[kids]

You joined today and your first 2 questions are pretty stilted.

This looks like homework.

Tell us, what do YOU think a new grad can do to keep their skills and knowledge up to date?

[Leonardo Del Toro, RN]

Some county hospitals have volunteering programs. I've been volunteering at the ER in my county hospital here in CA and I'm learning more than I ever learned in all my rotations combined. I also keep my skills and getting more and more comfortable with the hospital setting which is important too.