Nursing Student Business Cards

[Pancake86]

I apologize if this topic has already been discussed. I did a quick search and couldn't find anything. Since the new grad market is so difficult right now, I have had a few people suggest making student business cards and handing them out to department mangers that I am interested in working with after graduation. Just a way to break the ice and to make sure I get their card as well and keep in touch with them throughout school. I wasn't sure if this is something I should do. If so, should I keep the basics like Name, school, expected graduation date, email, phone number? Thank you!!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I dunno, I think it's silly and pretentious, but you can get 'em cheap at Vistaprint. Do NOT get any more than the bare minimum.

[runsalot]

I have some. I have business cards with my basic info since I graduated from college the first time around. Call me pretentious.

[amoLucia]

I'm superstitious about business cards. Every time I had cards for a job position, the job didn't work out for whatever reasons.

I just won't do cards for business anymore.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

I dunno I think it's silly and pretentious, but you can get 'em cheap at Vistaprint. Do NOT get any more than the bare minimum.[/quote']

I agree. Why not just write down your name and number and let your work speak for itself.

[i♥words]

I agree. Why not just write down your name and number and let your work speak for itself.

But maybe the use of business cards could be advantageous, like Elle's sparkly, pink resume in Legally Blonde.

I don't think it's a bad idea, actually.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

What purpose does it have? When you graduate, you will apply to open jobs, not necessarily in the departments that you gave cards. Even if you gave them cards, you would not have an advantage over other nurses and new grads that didn't give out cards. They are not going to say "Hey we have a job opening, I think Pancake86 should have graduated by now. Maybe we should call her instead of posting the job." They are going to pick the best candidate regardless if they gave out a business card or not. Like Esme said it seems a little pretentious. Since you would not have an advantage, it would do more harm than good.

[runsalot]

Personally I like them for large settings. Not small. Like a job fair. When a hiring manager is meeting a lot of people. Just something to set you apart when they don't know your work yet.

[zzbxdo]

I had business cards. Don't underestimate a good first impression and professionalism. Was offered the position soon after I left my interview in a large hospital. With hundreds of applicants per application (I'm in ca) managers don't see your hard work, but if they like you enough, feel like you can fit in, be trained to their expectations. I had my eportfolio link on my card, cv and resume.

[MoshRN]

Zzbxdo great idea.

[seconddegreebsn]

I have them and people like them - they're less likely to lose a card than to lose a slip of paper, plus it has my contact information and date of graduation. They came in super handy at conferences when I'm meeting nurse recruiters. I included them with my externship applications and got call backs for everywhere I applied, so it certainly can't hurt. But yeah, don't get too many. I've only used about 20 or so.