More than a degree to get a nursing job?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello,

I will be starting nursing school in September and I was wondering about something. I know that it is easy to get a nursing job but do employers look at other things besides a nursing degree? I'm worried because I haven't done anything related to nursing (e.g. volunteering at a hospital, executive board member in an organization related to nursing in college, etc.) so far.

???

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Hello and welcome to the boards! Do NOT spend a lot of time worrying about this. I entered nursing school without a LICK of nursing or aide experience or even volunteer work in that area. But I knew it was what I wanted......what I dreamed of doing and I pursued it with vigor. Graduated with a 4.0 and had a job in my preferred area of OB before I even graduated.

Now this is NOT to say volunteering or becoming a CNA would not serve you well; this would. I would highly encourage this if you can find time. If not, don't lose sleep. Just be a real sponge through school and especially in your clinical experiences.

I am no genius, saint or Florence Nightingale. So, if I can do it, so can you. I wish you all the best! Go for it.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I can finally say I've been a nurse 1 year as of july19, and having an ADN did me just fine. Before going to nursing school I was a waitress.

Best of luck and fun to you!

xoxo Jen

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... Graduated with a 4.0... Go for it.

Congrats!

Will try to follow your lead.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

Before going to nursing school I was a farrier (horseshoer). I did a bit in med/surg then off to ICU. I spent 6 years in critical care including flight nursing and now I am supervising a 325 bed specialty care center. I got my ADN at a local community college. I am also a paramedic and that may have helped me decide to become a nurse but it certainly didn't become an issue until one instructor discovered this. Seems the instructor didn't like medics...I just maintained a student attitude with wanting to learn how to be a nurse. Find what you want and pursue it, somewhere there is the job of your dreams and when that becomes boring find another dream job in nursing. This is such a vast profession, almost anything is available to you. You already have an associate degree and if you find something else that interests you go back to school. I am looking at massage therapy right now, I think it will be needed for the baby boomers in their retirement years.

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