Ten Tips for New Grad Nurses

[JayPeacock]

Nurses, in spite all of the wonderful employment opportunities available for us, still face trouble when it comes to the hiring process - especially new grads. Below are ten awesome tips to get you started out as a nurse that will definitely improve your chances in landing that perfect job!

1. Volunteering

This is probably not what you want to hear, but this is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door! A lot of places looking for nurses are only looking for nurses who have experience. The best thing to do would be to volunteer in the field you're planning to make a career out of. For example, Getting a bunch of experience with ventilators, tubes, and other medically intensive areas will help you to get a position in a hospital! If you volunteer at a home for people with Alzheimer's and Dementia, you'll get some good credit towards applying for a memory care position. Try calling local places and asking if they accept volunteers - many of them like having people like you do stuff for free!

Just don't expect a top-notch job if the only experience you have is from clinicals and that three month period you spent in the hospital lobby handing out coloring books to children (yes, I did that!).

2. Make your Resume Look Nice

Okay, so you don't have a lot to put on this resume, but that doesn't mean you can't spend some time sprucing up what you do have! Don't include things that aren't related to the medical field. No one's going to consider your burger-flipping expertise a valuable skill for your potential job!

Look for someone to help you format your resume. You could even take a look at some examples to get a feel for how you want your resume to look.

3. Good References

Your grandmother is not a good reference! Your clinical teacher, or anyone you met along the way with a good attitude will fit best. Remember that a professional reference holds more ground than a friend.

4. In-Person is Best

A lot of places will make you apply on the internet- but that doesn't mean you can't show up and meet everyone anyway! I have done this many times and it has definitely helped me

land a couple of good jobs.

5. Be Physically Able

As a nurse, you may have to do some heavy lifting at least every now and then, assuming you don't work in an office all day long. If you're able, try to keep yourself in good

physical health.

6. Staffing Agencies

Staffing agencies are great resources to get started when looking for a job. They only get paid when you get employed, so they're going to be motivated to look for a job just for you.

7. Ask a Nurse

When in doubt, ask someone who has been a nurse for a while for some help. Not only can they give you tips on getting employed, they might even have a couple of leads on jobs. Not

to mention that they can recommend you for the position!

8. Turn in a Lot of Resumes and Applications

This is a great way to get noticed and to increase your potential for getting a job. There is probably someone or some place out there that really needs a nurse right at this very moment! This goes back to the law of averages- the more you do something (turning in applications and resumes), the more likely it is for you as a new nurse to get a job.

9. Improve your Social Skills

Like I mentioned earlier, the way I got most of my Nursing Jobs was to go in and talk to people. If you're as profoundly socially awkward as I was in my teenage years, you're going to need to change that! There are a lot of groups, probably some near you, that will help you learn how to socialize. A useful site that I utilize for this purpose is meetup.com. Don't worry, it doesn't cost a thing to join a meetup group.

10. Odds and Ends

Make sure you've got CPR training under your belt. A TB test, Hep B vaccine series, or drug screening may be a requirement. The more of this stuff you can get out of the way, the less your employer has to take care of for you.

[KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN]

These are some great tips JayPeacock. Volunteering can speak volumes about one's work ethic, but not sure how that would translate to experience though. One could go back and forth about the non medical job on the resume of a new grad as well. Even if the job has nothing to do with nursing or medicine, a previous job is a way of fleshing out a person's work ethic. I think a new grad who worked a fast food place and say even promoted to shift manager would be someone that I would consider hiring before a smart nurse who had never worked. You see a manager not only needs to make sure the new grad is smart enough, but that the new grad has a good work ethic, and will follow through with agreements.

[estrellaCR, BSN, RN]

I'm no longer new grad and I now have 2yrs experience but when i was a new grad two years ago...two things on this list don't hold. The other 8 are good but going in person to apply at hospital HR offices is futile , they all tell you (while rolling their eyes) that you are supposed to apply online only. And no hospital or any other center will let you enter to see the nurse manager unless you have an appointment. There is security at entrance asking where you are going. Also to walk in randomly will greatly inconvinience the NM as they are often busy and don't have time to deal with random new grads coming in asking for a job this goes for HR staff as well. You cannot meet with HR unless u have an appointment. This is in NYC, and same for other large cities.

Second I volunteered twice a week while continuing my non RN job and no hospital will allow any volunteer even with RN license to handle medical equipment. Like a previous poster stated....it's a huge liability for a hospital. The most a volunteer can do is pass out comfort supplies, chat with patients, and make sure patients are happy and if there are complaints on patient care , report to the NM. So volunteering is good for social contact with patients but you will not practice any clinical skills.

In addition staffing agencies all require 2+ years of experience. The only time I have seen an agencie advertise for new grads if for flu shot clinics.

As new grad you have to keep open options, don't only apply to hospitals. My first RN job a month after I got RN license was in clinic which included home visits to patients. Then 8 months later I was hired at a city hospital. Just apply everywhere and follow their rules. I have heard walking into HR to drop a resume has got people on the don't call for interview list. If they say online only then do that and apply frequently. Or make connections with someone working there.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

\ I have heard walking into HR to drop a resume has got people on the don't call for interview list.

Same here. One thing everybody seems to look for in new grad RNs is ability to conform to the place's rules, however stupid they might be, and to follow the prescribed lines of action. Representing himself as a person who frankly denies existing rules and chains of command doesn't look like a good way to begin application process.

BTW, while flipping burgers in McDonald's isn't something to put in new grad resume, the letter from the manager of the said McDonald's prizing applicant's great work ethics, punctuality, common sense and customer service skills can be at least as worthy as standard "she's a good girl" one from nursing school instructor. All the stuff above can be added to resume and thus make it looking fine in the absence of "real" nursing experience.

[california_dreamin]

New Grads I got two words "HOME Health" they are definitely more likely to hire a new Nurse. You can start off with something simple like going to a patients house to do dressing change etc.

WRONG. I work for a home health agency and both of the biggest ones here do NOT hire new nurses. You need your BSN and at least a year of acute experience, or you are not considered. Home health is a whole different ball game.

[AZirish]

All good advice, but I don't know a single institution that is going to allow a volunteer anywhere near a ventilator, tubes or other medical intensive interventions. In fact, at my institution there are no volunteers allowed in critical care areas. Volunteering can give exposure to people mostly and doesn't really count toward experience by anyone's measurement. Honestly, I have yet to see a volunteer position turn into a paid position for anyone. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened, but that one seems to be a giant urban myth in reality.

Otherwise great article.

I'm wondering if any hospital would even let a licensed nurse work in a volunteer capacity? Wouldn't that possibly set them up for a lawsuit? If something happened in a patients room while the RN was delivering flowers in the capacity of volunteer.....the mind boggles.

[KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN]

Same here. One thing everybody seems to look for in new grad RNs is ability to conform to the place's rules, however stupid they might be, and to follow the prescribed lines of action. Representing himself as a person who frankly denies existing rules and chains of command doesn't look like a good way to begin application process.

Yes and all that managerial mumbo jumbo about encouraging employees to think out side of the box is a bunch of BS. When they say they want you to think outside the box, they really don't want you to think outside the box.

[wannabecnl]

When I was applying for jobs as a new grad, I tried many of these, but I landed my job because I knew the people in the unit (had been a student there) and could fill a need they had. It was mostly knowing the right people at the right time. Also could truly say it was where I wanted to be without crossing my fingers and already planning my next career move, as I would have been doing in most other places I had applied. I think hiring managers know this but they don't want it screamed in their face that they are your second/third/fourth choice.

Home health agencies in my area wanted more experience than some of the acute care facilities, because you're on your own.

As far as volunteering, I think it depends on the state and the role of the volunteer. The problem with volunteering once you're licensed in healthcare is that (at least in NH) regardless of what your title is (i.e., you have an RN but are working as an LNA to pay the bills), you are professionally responsible to practice to the standard of your highest licensure. If I go on a missions trip as an RN, I'm volunteering, not getting paid, but I'm still required to practice within the scope and standard of the RN role. If you volunteer as a nurse at a marathon, you're expected to do what a nurse would do, paid or not. That said, volunteering at a hospital isn't going to get you anywhere near patient care, nor should it, even if you're an RN. I'd volunteer with the Red Cross or something.

Also agree: don't waste your own money on extra certifications unless that's standard in your area. If it's required, your employer should pay for it AND pay you for your time taking the course. DO spend your money joining a professional group (ASPAN is mine; I've been a member since I was in nursing school and knew I wanted to work in the PACU); you'll get journals and contacts, and you'll learn a ton.

[vanessaem, BSN, RN]

I hate to be a Debbie Downer but I've done from 1 - 10 and still no job. I still think it's about who you know and their influence in the hiring process. I have endless amounts of rejection emails from hospitals in response to applications for positions I was qualified for. No mention anywhere about the number of years of experience needed. However, I'm a dreaded "new grad nurse" which seems to be curse words these days among the nursing community. Honestly, how am I going to get experience when people refuse to hire me? *Sigh*

[Enthused RN, BSN, RN]

All good advice, but I don't know a single institution that is going to allow a volunteer anywhere near a ventilator, tubes or other medical intensive interventions. In fact, at my institution there are no volunteers allowed in critical care areas. Volunteering can give exposure to people mostly and doesn't really count toward experience by anyone's measurement. Honestly, I have yet to see a volunteer position turn into a paid position for anyone. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened, but that one seems to be a giant urban myth in reality.

Otherwise great article.

Not entirely true. I volunteered during nursing school through a hospital's internship program (program did not require any medical experience). I rotated through a tele floor, stepdown, and finally a trauma/critical care unit. Obviously I didn't provide any trach care or RN-only skills at the time, but I did patient care for those patients. So it's possible, it just depends on what volunteer opportunities your local hospital provides.

[victoire]

I second Enthused RN. I performed volunteer service for almost 4 months and it was a direct contribution to me obtaining my first RN job. My number 1 piece of advice IS to volunteer, in fact when you pass your NCLEX/licensure (if) you are having trouble finding work, get out of your pajamas and go to a local hospital/clinic/nursing home and volunteer. Let the volunteer office know up front that you are completely licensed. If it's a situation like mine, I was folding Christmas cards and fetching copies for about a month (but it was timely, efficient, no bull mess and I got to know a lovely group of hospice nurses). After that I was transferred to a med surg unit where I got to shadow nurses and even participate in direct hands on care (under the supervision of an RN/LPN- this is how you/they cover your collective butts). When you're on the floor, you showcase your talents (not SHOW OUT, don't forget your place). You ask questions, you become the person who will go anywhere, help with anything with punctuality, grace, humility and an eagerness to help the unit run smoother and save nurses whatever headache/stress you can. I stress this, you are ACTIVE- don't take it as a chance to recreate your clinicals all over again; if a nurse asks your help in helping with an ulcer, cleaning diarrhea, escorting a patient your best bet is to say 'no problem.' In the process, you create relationships with the staff, with the patients, and even if you are bringing blankets, even if you are assisting with a feeding- (it does not have to be RN related) you will have experiences to share so that when you do sit in front of a PB interviewer you will be more than prepared to shine. Furthermore you get to see firsthand office politics among the nurses and how different personalities interact (and sometimes clash). Some of these hospitals ask that you "work your way up", but there are always exceptions to the rule-don't be afraid to ask for a medical unit either in the beginning or later to transfer if you're put in an office. When you complete your resume, if you have completed volunteer service, go into bullet point detail regarding specific duties. Also keep a personal journal detailing everything you did including at least one thing you learned with each entry. I don't promise or state anything about the rewards of volunteering except that it seriously makes for the demonstration of a well rounded, dedicated and eager nurse who has love for her profession. Keep your eyes open and you'll always find an opportunity to learn and grow.

[ShunFutureRn]

Thanks for the helpful advice

[Simplyroses]

I got my start in Labor and Delivery as a new grad BY VOLUNTEERING. Yes. True.

This was in 1996 and the American Red Cross sponsored me as an RN to volunteer in the local military hospital. The nurse manager of the L&D unit agreed to take me as a volunteer. I volunteered 4 months full time on the floor, functioning as a full RN. They basically put me through a residency. The nurses trained me. In return, I worked hard, learned many skills and gained valuable experience.

When a position came open, I was hired. Eventually we moved and I have worked as an RN in the maternal child world for 18 years. I viewed the volunteer time as free education.