Starting a career as an Excelsior grad in Ohio

[Nick Brown RN EMT-P]

Hello,

I am a recent Excelsior Grad and I live in Columbus,Ohio. I was wondering if there are any other Excelsior Grads around in the area that can give me some advise on getting into the hospitals. I was working as a FF/EMT-P for the last 5 years and I have really good clinical/emergency skills. This doesn't seem to be doing anything for me around here. I currently work at a SNF but I really want hospital experience . Does anyone have any advise? Will working at a SNF qualify for 1 year nursing experience? Is there any better alternative to a hospital to get experience that will accept my education and inexperience?

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Nick, the best advice I can give you is to keep on plugging away. After I went through EC, many hospitals did not even want to look at my experience because it wasn't nursing. I had to sell myself by illustrating all of the skills I already possessed from being a paramedic and how they would translate into nursing. I also spoke to the directors or supervisors of the departments I wanted to work in or who had job openings posted. It wasn't until after my interview that they told me to just fill out the public internet form as a formality.

Especially now, in this job market, you need to do more to sell yourself. Passively filling out forms will not cut it.

Also, don't sell yourself short. Highlight those paramedic skills and assessment skills. They are worth something, make them see it.

Best of luck to you in your job search!