nursing job question

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Hi,

I am going to start nursing school pretty soon. So far I heard that nursing job market is pretty tough these days and many new grads are without jobs for months. That really discourages and scares me from investing a big amount of money and time into doing nursing school now. As a nursing student, while I am in school, what should I do to get well prepared for the job hunting after my graduation?

Your inputs and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

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RN Volunteer work; extra certifications (ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc.); great letters of recommendation. And every clinical is a great chance to make connections with managers that do the hiring.

Also, if you have a few years before you graduate, things may be better for getting a job. If they aren't: apply to every unit open, and every location you can. You can work in a unit for a year or two to get experience, and then finally get into your desired area of nursing.

Best of luck to you! I start my first job in 2 weeks!!! :yeah:

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Congrats on your new job!!!

About the certifications you mentioned about, can I get them before I start school or while I am in school? Or do I need to finish school in order to be qualified to take these exams? Thanks. :)

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Specializes in Home Care.

You need to be an RN or LPN before you can take certification classes.

I suggest you get trained as a CNA and get a CNA job while you're in nursing school.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Ignore any instructor who tells you that you can wait until after graduation to apply. Start looking and applying to jobs early, several months before you graduate. Don't be surprised if many jobs would rather see you pass the NCLEX first before they will even consider looking at you...but don't let that stop you because you never know!

You need to be an RN or LPN before you can take certification classes.

Not for all of them: for example, anyone can take ACLS and PALS...though having some NS education under your belt will really help. But check them out and see which ones you can take.

I suggest you get trained as a CNA and get a CNA job while you're in nursing school.

Good idea in that it will give you experience working in healthcare and a better idea of what nurses actually do. However, being a CNA is no longer the guaranteed "in" for the nursing job that it used to be (a lot of my classmates can attest to that), so be sure to follow all of the other advice given in this thread as well!

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Specializes in NICU.

Whatever you do don't just assume that it will all be better by the time you graduate. I cringe every time I read a post where someone just shrugs there shoulders and say 'oh well...I have a few years, so it will be better'. I will make the assumption that because you are asking, you are being much more proactive than that though.

The previous suggestions are all great. Volunteer, get a job in a hospital, join nursing organizations. If you are planning on working in the same area you are going to school, def make contacts during clinicals. Heck, even if you aren't planning on working in the area, this is still a smart idea. Be proactive, do what you can to be memorable (in a good) way, and get some experience under your belt.

Good luck!

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Congrats on your new job!!!

About the certifications you mentioned about, can I get them before I start school or while I am in school? Or do I need to finish school in order to be qualified to take these exams? Thanks. :)

You can take the certifications any time, but they have a 2 year expiration, then you have to take a renewal class. BLS is basic CPR, you will have to take this before you start school. Then I'd wait to take the others until you are at least half-way into school because they are much harder classes. ACLS is an advanced CPR that deals with irregular heart rhythms, medications, and what you do during a code situation. So, it'll make more sense further along in your schooling. PALS is like Pediatric CPR, so take it if you are interested in applying to peds positions. NRP is baby CPR, so take it if you are interested in NICU or L&D. If you only have time for one extra, I'd take ACLS. This is will look good for any position you apply to. It shows them, that you are going above and beyond to make yourself marketable and prepared. I'd wait until pretty late in your program to take it, just have it on your resume by the time you start applying for jobs. The class is around $200 for a one day class, but it may be cheaper if you are still a student. By the end of the day, you pass a written test, and pass a demonstration, and then you have the certification. I've never seen anyone fail, so they will work with you if you are confused on some areas.

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You guys have no idea your previous inputs are helpful to me and my future career. Thank you so very much. That was very generous of you guys for sharing your experiences and thoughts on this topic.

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The best advice I can give you is to get a job in the system in which you think you may want to work. That is one of the top ways to ensure that you will have a position.

My other piece of advice is to network, network, network while in clinicals for school. I am a recent grad that got a job in the ER and won out over 100+ other applicants because I did my BSN management class with the nurse manager from there. She remembered me :)

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My other piece of advice is to network, network, network while in clinicals for school. I am a recent grad that got a job in the ER and won out over 100+ other applicants because I did my BSN management class with the nurse manager from there. She remembered me :)

I completely agree! I was offered a job today... I know that I only got the interview because I knew someone in finance, someone on the floor, someone in the pharmacy, and about ten doctors in the hospital. NEVER be afraid to get to know everyone you can, even the unit secretaries... you never know which relationship may make the difference!

Good luck!

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I was wondering, is it equally difficult to find a job regardless of what type of schedule you can accommodate? Is it still more or less impossible even if your willing to work on call/part-time?

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I was wondering, is it equally difficult to find a job regardless of what type of schedule you can accommodate? Is it still more or less impossible even if your willing to work on call/part-time?

The biggest difficulty is the location that you are looking in. Some locations (like southern CA) it doesn't matter if you say anytime, it is still hard to find a job. Of course I didn't try quite as hard for per diem jobs because they can't guarantee hours. And all new grad jobs were full-time with on call. I didn't see many part time jobs open to new grads. If you are not a new grad, then I'd imagine that the search would be a little easier, but once again it just depends on location. If you can be more flexible and look "everywhere" you will find a job faster. Where are you looking and when?

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