New ADN Grad no previous med experience

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Hello everyone,

I am a recent ADN graduate with no PCA or healthcare experience. I chose not to work during school because I was afraid I would fail nursing school with having a job to attend to. I realize that was not the best route to take, and now, I do not have an RN job lined up.

I have applied for MANY RN jobs but most hospitals in my area won't even look at you unless you have a BSN or other experience. So I have to ask this:

Do you think if I received ACLS training on my own, would that make me good candidate with only an ADN to be hired?

I thought this may give me a one up on any nurse that did not have that training and perhaps make me more desireable.

On a side note, I plan to start my BSN as soon as I take the NCLEX which will be SOON! I am hoping that being enrolled in a BSN program will also look good to an employer as well.

Let me know what you think. Thank you for your time in replying :)

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Many schools now include ACLS coursework in their programs, so that new grads have that certification upon graduation. So....I wouldn't say it would make you more desirable, but certainly will at least put in in the running to compete against those who already DO have it. Yes, get that done.

Expand your search. You might not find a hospital job without experience, but long-term care (nursing homes) often have more job opportunities than hospitals for new grads. Clinics, offices, outreach centers aren't acute care, but hey, at least they are employment! See what you can find.

You can't apply to BSN-only positions, but being enrolled in one already may give you an edge over another ADN applicant who is not. Thing is, many online BSN programs require you already be employed (working as a nurse) before being accepted. Not always, but it's often the case.

You should also post this in the "First Year of Nursing" forum, the Career section, for more feedback.

Goodluck!

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I'm a new grad ADN who has ACLS and worked in healthcare throughout nursing school, and I am enrolled in a BSN program... and I'm also getting turned down for jobs for not having experience. ACLS is a good thing to have and shows initiative, but I doubt it will be the thing to land you a job since it's an easy certification to get and hospitals know you loose the knowledge if you don't use it (new grads are usually not running codes). Definitely take it if you can - knowledge is good, it won't hurt and it's a nice thing if you don't have a lot on your resume. But I wouldn't break the bank for it. Good luck with NCLEX :)

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Specializes in MedSurg, PACU, Maternal/Child Health.

Look outside the hospital! Many RNs start off in alternate settings: clinics, rehab facilities, etc. Working as RN somewhere looks alot better than not working as an RN at all. Any RN experience is better than none at all (and a paycheck is better than being broke!). Keep your options open. Also volunteer a day a week at a hospital helps too. Not a lot but it is a plus.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Another major deterrent to your job search is that you are NOT a licensed RN. You haven't even done NCLEX yet. At least if you had tried and needed to retake the exam, you would have had some more definitive baseline with which to work.

Employers need to know the license status of any prospective job candidate. So that's one BIG obstacle as I see it. You've recognized that having only the ADN and no healthcare experience is also hampering your efforts. Hospitals want the BSN and you have yet to enroll in a program. That's several MAJOR hurdles to overcome at this time in your job search.

My recommendation - do NCLEX AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. To my thinking, ACLS is NOT a concern at this time when you don't even have a license. It could help if there weren't other issues. And how do you plan to do your BSN? RN-to-BSN bridge???

It's a problem that many places can't or won't hire GNs. Some states don't even recognize GNs. And those that do, usually have a restrictive clause that a 'GN must work under the direct supervision of a RN'. That means you 2 would have to be on the same unit AT THE SAME TIME. That really restricts your options.

Even with all your stars in the right alignment, you can still be looking (as PP NightBloomCereus points out). Today's job market is a bear!

Good luck with your future plans.

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Specializes in ER.

ACLS isn't hard to get so it won't really set you apart. If you go for ACLS though, find a location that offers AHA.

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Thanks for your reply! Question - what's GN? I got my authorization to take NCLEX after I posted this! And yes I will get my RN-> BSN online

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Specializes in retired LTC.

GN = graduate nurse. In places where it is allowed, it permits you to work as an RN, waiting for your license to come through.

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GN = graduate nurse. In places where it is allowed, it permits you to work as an RN, waiting for your license to come through.

According to one of my friends and a hospital administrator, they stopped holding jobs for people.

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Specializes in MedSurg, PACU, Maternal/Child Health.

Yea very few places hire GNs. The only states I heard hiring GNs are those with few applicants ie rural area, Kansas, North Dakota, Idaho, Montana. The idea is why hire GN with no license yet when there are thousands of applicants with an RN license. Take your NCLEX, volunteer, be open to what jobs you apply to...dont limit your self to hospital only

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Yea very few places hire GNs. The only states I heard hiring GNs are those with few applicants ie rural area, Kansas, North Dakota, Idaho, Montana. The idea is why hire GN with no license yet when there are thousands of applicants with an RN license. Take your NCLEX, volunteer, be open to what jobs you apply to...dont limit your self to hospital only

Theres no place like home. I'm off to see the wizard!! Thanks for your input!!

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