Question about getting the first job

HollyUTM · Feb 3, 2005

Hi everybody. I just passed NCLEX and now I am thinking what is the best way for getting the first job. Also , I am in California. Does somebody know if it's possible to get a job, having license from another state...

Hi there! I am from Tennessee; I graduated in September of 04. I found that it was fairly easy to get my first job. I already worked at a hospital as a CNA, and I just began working at that same facility when I graduated. So that really doesn't count. I moved in December to Nashville, which is MUCH bigger than what sort of hospitals that I am used to. I found that it was easy to get a job here, too. Even without experience. I moved on January 15, had an interview on January 24 and was hired that day. I start my job this next week ( had to delay that due to orientation availability at the facility). The best advice I can give for starting to look for a job is to just apply everywhere; someone WILL call you back! And be persistent. If you are going to apply at a big hospital, remember that they get A LOT of applications on a daily basis, and being a new grad. you're probably not going to be the first person that they look at as far as qualifications go. But if you are persistent, as in calling back after putting in an application just to check the status and whatnot, it shows true interest in the position. The best thing you can do is just touch base by putting in an application with SEVERAL hospitals, agencies, nursing homes, whatever your preference, and then following up on those applications. It shows that you are truly interested and enthusiastic. I hope this helps a little. Also, I do not know whether Cali. is part of the compact licensure Act or not. My license says Multistate on it, so I can work in any state that is in the Compact (I think, atleast). I found this web page, maybe it will help http://www.ncsbn.org/nlc/index.asp and also, here is the list of states in that compact http://www.ncsbn.org/nlc/rnlpvncompact_mutual_recognition_state.asp I hope this helps, I might not have answered any of your questions but merely confused you more. Sorry this is so long.

Holly