New NP grad RN-NP

[CitySoul]

Recently graduated as a women's health NP. Former critical care nurse. None of my past experience is applicable to jobs. I can write general things on my resume regarding communication, empathetic care, attention to detail, assessment, and following protocols. However, literally entirely different worlds to the point where my resume is practically empty. I've listed rotations from school clinicals, but what else can I do?

Also, is it helpful to have DEA prior to applying?

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

"I've listed rotations from school clinicals, but what else can I do?"

That's really all you can do. The advantage of pursuing a field that is closely aligned with your RN specialty is that you have an existing network of contacts and leads to where you can potentially find jobs. In your case, your clinical rotations will be your networking source. You also are in a narrow field of specialty.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

Employers are not expecting a new grad NP to have relevant experience other than their school clinicals.  If you are looking to work in a hospital, then your RN experience will be helpful.  So you are no different than most new grad NPs.

Yes, it can be helpful to have your DEA.  I'm not a women's health NP, so look at some job listings and see if most of them require the DEA prior to applying.

Good luck.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I work in a specialty - nephrology so definitely would have been helpful to have had some knowledge of it before I started. However, my nursing background was level 1 Trauma ED so I emphasized:

1.  My ability to think on my feet

2.  Able to tell "sick" from "not sick"

3.  Culturally competent as in the ER (and I'm sure critical care as well) was exposed to many different cultures and ethnicities

4.  Multi-tasking

5.  Experience with research (I worked in a teaching hospital where I worked with residents on some of their required research)