New grad, PCU!!

[maiday]

Hi everybody!

I have been on allnurses since I started nursing school 2 years ago and it's been such a great help to me. I always liked reading the success stories posted so I had to post!

I graduated this past May 2011 with my BSN and just got hired at the hospital where I currently work. I'm hired to work in the PCU (Progressive Care Unit). I know some people don't agree with new grads in step downs, PCU but I am very excited. Plus, they have a great orientation and I am not the first new grad they're hiring so they know what they're getting into! I have about a month until the program starts and I cannot wait. Any advice would be appreciated and I'd also like to post the pathway to me getting a job for all those in nursing school or new grads still looking. I know it's tough and I am so thankful for this opportunity.

My story: My first step was to begin volunteering with hospice of the valleys a little before I even started nursing school. This was a great experience and looked great on the resume. Next, I heard facilities like to hire from within so I got a job approximately a year before I graduated at the hospital I wanted to work at. I was a PCA (patient care assistant) and worked per diem so it was great for school. PCA is basically a CNA without a license, sometimes called tech, PCT or various names depending on the hospital. This hospital is really good about hiring internally so pretty much all internals got an interview. Not a guarantee, but a better shot than many nowadays. I also got my ACLS... again, I know not everybody may agree with that, but I think it helped considering where I applied. At my interview, I wore a business suit, and made packets for each person I might interview with. The packets included a resume on nice stock paper, cover letter, references and 2 letters of recommendation from clinical teachers. I carried these in a nice simple portfolio. I made 10 copies of all just in case. I ended up using only 5, but you never know. Each time I interviewed, I was able to hand all interviewers a packet including all of the above mentioned items. After my interviews, I sent hand written thank you cards to all people I interviewed with, not just the managers and also to the HR rep who had set up all the interviews.

Sorry so long but I got half the tips I just posted from allnurses and I believe it's a combination that landed me my 1st RN job!!

[BusyMomRN]

Congratulations!!