lack of job experience

liljsmom02 · Nov 12, 2005

what do you mean you have not had a job in 6 years? you are a cook, taxi driver, maid, boo boo fixer, sock finder, homework checker, argument referee, problem solver...etc....do i need to go on. nursing is about time management and multi tasking. you will do just fine.

suzi_h · Nov 12, 2005

I'm particularly good at sanitation and waste management too!

I am talking about resumes. I know I am good at all this. And I can multitask like no other! However, I am afraid that if a potential employer looks at a more or less blank resume they will just move on to the next prospective employee. Know what I mean? Does being a mom count for anything when you enter into the professional workplace?

KatieBell · Nov 12, 2005

I don't think it will hurt you. The only time haveing a gap on a work history will hurt is when the person has no good explaination for it. I think- "I was raising my child, and attending school" is a great explaination.

The volunteering is a good idea- and after I think your first year you can be certified as a Nurse Aide- so you could work, instead of volunteering.

I did find it easier to get a job at the same hospital I worked at as a Nurses Aide- but my friend also found a job there with her work history at Wal mart.

The lack of work will not hurt you at all.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2005

As a new grad, potential employers probably won't blink an eye if you have no work experience. You are a housewife who went back to school to help support your family is a good enough reason. Your nursing school has been your last job and that is how potential employers will look at you. They are going to go to your nursing instructors for references. They will ask them what your attendance was and about your character and personality because they are the people who have been evaluating you for the past two years or so. Any other job experience may be interesting to them, but not important. Employers of graduate nurses are not going to be that interested in any older jobs you had if they are not nursing related.

Ari RN, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2005

I've never held a job prior to graduating nursing school. After graduating H.S. went straight to college, graduated with my ASN degree and after passing the NCLEX-RN found job offers coming from every direction. You will do fine!

Good Luck!

jaramilm · Nov 13, 2005

Don't worry. In nursing there is a million jobs. They are really needed. You get hired the minute they see you. Even if you lose one job today, you can have another one next day. Is that easy. The shortage is really bad and nursing is the great field to be at. If you haven't work for so long, start with few shifts so you don't get overwhelm. You can do home health care as a Nurse's assistant to support yourself a bit. There are 4 or 8 or 12 hr shifts available. No worries. They will work around your schedule.

Experience comes later.

Goldenhare · Nov 13, 2005

You will be fine! Here is my condensed story. 20 year old BS degree management. Worked full time for about 3 years. Spent the next few years in part time work-various. Had two kids and stayed home for about 10 years. Went to nursing school. Kept a part time library job. Was told to get hospital experience before or after graduation before I went for the job I wanted-labor and delivery. Ignored that advice (HEY I'M 43!). And guess what? I start that labor and delivery job on Monday!! You are young, and your degree will be in demand. You will find work with or without that experience. All the above posters are correct. Experience does help make the road a bit smoother, but you'll be fine without it. Good Luck!!

nursemike, ASN, RN · Nov 13, 2005

At the hospital where I work, I was able to secure a position before beginning my final semester. I think that option would have been available to someone not already employed there, too. In my case, my preferred job was on the unit where I already worked, so the transition was pretty smooth, but I think it would be helpful to anyone to know he or she had a job already lined up. In my area, the nursing shortage doesn't seem quite as severe as in some places. Some of my classmates who waited until after graduation to job hunt didn't get their first choice, but I don't know of anyone who had much trouble finding a decent job.

I do think there's a lot to be said for some part-time healthcare experience during school, if your schedule permits. If you could work a couple of shifts a week at the institution where you most prefer to work, it will help you in clinicals, and in your trasition from student to nurse. But if you don't have to work, and if other needs conflict, it's definitely more important to focus on school.

Having your license in hand opens up a world of options.

Good luck.

cathyish · Nov 13, 2005

Hello everyone,
I am starting my 1st semester of nursing school in January. I am afraid that because I have never held down a "real" job that it'll be a problem for me when I graduate. I have been a stay at home mom for the past 6 years and before that the only exp. I had was working at a grocery store. Has anyone been in this situation? I am planning on volunteering at the hospital for a little bit of experience and to familiarize myself with the environment. Will this be enough? I am hoping to work as a student nurse after I finish my fundamentals class and am afraid with the lack of experience I won't get the chance. What do you think??? Thanks,
Suzi

I was a stay at home mom for for 14 years before I started nursing school. When I filled out applications for my first job hunt last May, I just wrote a short personal statement about why I decided to become a nurse at this point in my life. It was never even mentioned during my interviews.

Personally, I don't think being a volunteer would be much help. I'd concentrate on learning some nursing skills in school that you could bring to a nurse-tech/student nurse position after a semester or two.

minnielynn · Nov 13, 2005

Hello everyone,
I am starting my 1st semester of nursing school in January. I am afraid that because I have never held down a "real" job that it'll be a problem for me when I graduate. I have been a stay at home mom for the past 6 years and before that the only exp. I had was working at a grocery store. Has anyone been in this situation? I am planning on volunteering at the hospital for a little bit of experience and to familiarize myself with the environment. Will this be enough? I am hoping to work as a student nurse after I finish my fundamentals class and am afraid with the lack of experience I won't get the chance. What do you think??? Thanks,
Suzi

I worked in a dead end job for 15 years, never moved up, there was no where to go. Now I work at a hospital and decided to go to nursing school. There are many different situations, if you want to volunteer at a hospital, go ahead, but once you have that RN behind your name, that's all that's going to matter. You can do this!!!!!!!!