Question about experience required

loriangel14, RN · Mar 4, 2013

Time spent in clinicals and school don't count. It has to be paid nursing experience.Although it is till a good idea to put your clinical placements on your resume.

scorpio1113 · Mar 4, 2013

Thank you! So basically, the only option is to secure a GN position in the beginning?

jchilds · Mar 4, 2013

I suggest looking for a job as an aide. Many hospitals will hire nursing students as aides after they have completed the fundamentals course in your 1st semester. If you can find an externship that is great too. Good luck!

nervousnurse, ASN · Mar 4, 2013

Your question is NOT stupid! I agree that getting a job as an CNA or "AUA" (Advanced Unlicensed Assistant) would be a great idea. You may find other terms such as "Nurse Partner / Nurse Extern". Also, I don't know if you're in the U.S. and/or what state you live in, but some states no longer hire "GNs" like they used to, and I think even that title is no longer used.

Also, find out if your state has a program where at some point in your RN schooling, you can take the NCLEX for LPN/ LVN, which of course would be GREAT for experience. Only problem with that is, if you really want HOSPITAL nursing experience, it can be very difficult to get an LPN/LVN position (maybe not ALL states, but some!). I had six strong years of hospital experience as an LPN and could find only ONE hospital in a large city that hired LPNS :no:

Some friends of mine ONLY wanted to work in specialty areas such as Labor & Delivery, which is HARD to get into as a new grad......some were able to get into "Nurse Extern" programs and were hired in that department once they got their RN. You need to look into those programs early though, because they fill up quickly.

If you've spent much time on this website, you may have already read that many new grads are having a tough time finding their first job....I feel so bad for them! I hate to read of new grads not only unable to get a job, but also stressed because their student loans are due.

When I first started nursing, it was NOT like this...I used to work with LOTS of "GNs" with absolutely NO experience (and by "NO", I mean, never an aide/assistant, never taken care of a patient except for in school!) ......Good Luck!!! :)

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Mar 4, 2013

There are some great suggestions posted. I would attempt to get a CNA position, and if you can do that, as time goes on speak to the NM of the floor regarding her thoughts on transitioning into a nursing role once you graduate. If you like the idea of ER, see if the college that you are attending has an EMT course. If they do, take it. Then you can see if you can get an ER tech position in the hospital, it would also be good experience to be part of a call EMT situation, and would give you another option if you are unable to obtain employment right away as an RN. If you like peds, OB, some other speciallty, get your CNA and see if you can work part time in an MD office that is of your specialty--then you will have experience in an MD's office, see patients that you would like to someday be involved with, and the MD has admitting rights to hospitals--so it is nice to do good work and have the MD on your side to get a job in the department the MD deals with. Good luck!!

fmxkrazyone · Mar 5, 2013

I also agree that getting a job as an aide could assist you in landing a job as an RN. Many of my friends who worked as PCNAs during nursing school were offered positions as RNs on the floors they worked on after passing boards. You get a chance to prove your work ethic and show that you are dedicated while working as an aide and it's great experience. Nurse managers that already know you are much more likely to hire you, but really the experience you will get is invaluable. As a floor nurse I'm constantly changing people, taking people to the bathroom, feeding, bathing, etc. Being comfortable with that stuff will be one less thing to worry about getting used to during orientation.

scorpio1113 · Mar 5, 2013

Thank you all so much for your insight. I had been leaning towards the CNA route, but I also was wanting to not work so I could apply all my focus towards my studies...... Sigh. I guess PT as a CNA would work! Thanks again- you've all been so helpful!

angelhawk · Mar 10, 2013

You can try a Home Health Agency. I work for Home Health and they work with my school schedule. They give us a calendar and we fill out what hours we can work and either they work you or not.

Also to get into the RN programs here in NC, you have to have your CNA license. I'm so thankful for the the position I have and will continue to have through out my RN program that starts this fall.

Hope this helps.