To all pre/current nursing students!

[Godismystrength]

Hi, I am a new graduate nurse, just wanting to give in my two cents to all pre-nursing students or those who are currently in a nursing program. I graduated May 2012 , passed NCLEX in july and still haven't got a job. So here is my advice to all of you, because if I could go back to the time before I started my program this is what I would do different , so may be someone else can benefit from this.

1) If you don't already have a job as a PCT, LPN, UNIT secretary PLEASE go find yourself one. Nowadays the only way they are hiring new grads is if they have experience. So if you already have your foot in the door, it will be easy for you to talk to your managers or human resource recruiters in your own facility when it comes to finding a job. Of course it may be not be where you want to work for the rest of your life, but that's okay just get your NEW GRAD experience for at least 6 months and you can look at other places from there. I cannot emphasize how important this is nowadays. I am fully aware the nursing school teachers tell you NOT to work BUT unless you are 100% sure working is going to get into the way of your success as a student, then try to get a job in a health care facility. It doesn't even have to be full time or part time, even if you are PRN (as needed) that will do it. Just remember that usually internal employees get priority (not always) but most health care facilities like to hire from within.

2) If you are not able to get a job as a tech or CNA then work really hard at keeping a good relationship or keeping in touch with someone who already is a nurse or may be able to refer you when you are applying for a job. When human resources sees on your application that you were referred by someone it increases your chances about a million times more than if you didn't. so nowadays it's all about who you have connections to. If you absolutely do not know anyone who is in the healthcare field or anyone who can refer you, then the next thing to do is during your clinicals make sure you work hard to be that student that stands out, and if allowed see if you can talk to a nurse manager on the floor. I know this may sound awkward to do, but seriously you don't know how much taking the extra step to make an impression , will do your wonders in the long run. Now of course if you are in your first semester or something this may not work out very well, but perhaps in your 3rd or 4th, where you have grown as a student and are able to do more things clinically as far as meds and procedures then see if you are able to meet the nurse manager and talk to them about your possible interest for the future.

3) If the two things mentioned above doesn't work for you and you are student that is going to graduate soon then this is for you. All nursing students are required to do Preceptorship hours at the hospital towards the end. I don't care if you don't like the floor you are doing your preceptorship on, but try to do the best you can as a student on the floor, and also ask your preceptor if he/she can let you meet the nurse manager, just in case you are interested in getting hired after boards. Meet the hiring nurse manager in person, so he/she can remember your face and also ask for a business card and ask them f it's okay that when you are ready to look for a job, that you call them to see they are willing to give you an interview. Most nurse managers won't hesitate. If they get good word from your preceptor that you were a student who really worked hard, believe me it will make a difference.

So please make sure you use all the opportunities, because this is one thing I regret. When I think back to my experience there was so many things I could have done to increase my chances of getting a job, but unfortunately I KNEW NONE OF THE ABOVE! I wish i did, but Please you do not understand how hard it is for new grads with no experience out there. Like I said nowadays there is only two ways to get a job , either you are an internal canidate or you know someone who can get you in , or perhaps a nurse manager will remember you from clinicals. GOOD LUCK TO FUTURE JOB HUNTERS!!! Believe me you will work your butt off during nursing school , as well as trying to study for boards. Finding a job should be a reward and not a hastle or an additional stress. So therefore make it easier for yourself, and do whatever you can do open up those opportunites when the time comes. God Bless you all!

[Ansumana]

But didn't you do clinicals as a nursing student so doesnt that count as experience? I know my college works in hospitals with real patients so that obviously counts as exp.; didn't your school train at a real hospital? Don't all schools do that? And where do you live? I'm trying to be an RN. Maybe being an RN and a LPN are different.

[loriangel14, RN]

Clinicals do provide valuable experience but paid experience as a CNA or a tech is even more valuable.

[thenameismac]

But didn't you do clinicals as a nursing student so doesnt that count as experience? I know my college works in hospitals with real patients so that obviously counts as exp.; didn't your school train at a real hospital? Don't all schools do that? And where do you live? I'm trying to be an RN. Maybe being an RN and a LPN are different.

When you apply for a job at a hospital regarding patient care it says specifically that clinicals arent considered experience. If that was the case everyone would have experience and the competition would be even more great. Even still they ask for at least 6 month to a year and im sure clinicals wasnt once a week for 12 months straight.

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[Luckyyou, BSN, RN]

Clinicals do not count as experience when applying for RN jobs. Great advice in this thread! Also, when it comes time to apply for your preceptorship/capstone (if your school allows you to give preferences) remember that med/surg may not sound as exciting as a specialty but you will get so much experience in varying conditions and procedures that you will have a leg up on the competition.

[rys22]

Well I know Ive got #2 taken care of. I've got GOOD connections is quite a few major hospitals around here :) But thank you for the tips! I was trying to decide if I want to try to get a PCA job right now (Im not in nursing school yet but have the nurses aide classes done) or if I should wait to apply when Im in the program so that hopefully being in a hospital environment will help me in some little way when Im in the program to learn the material, as well as serve as a foot in the door. I guess the sooner the better though, huh? The problem is, I REALLY love my job right now so I desperately want to stay here until I absolutely have to leave. And there is no way to work two jobs and do school and be a wife all at once successfully!

[futurenurse19]

I'm not an LPN, CNA, or PCT but I am a Registered Medical Assistant that does everything that an LPN does.

[Ansumana]

When you apply for a job at a hospital regarding patient care it says specifically that clinicals arent considered experience. If that was the case everyone would have experience and the competition would be even more great. Even still they ask for at least 6 month to a year and im sure clinicals wasnt once a week for 12 months straight.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Well ain't that a *****. Than what's the real point if it doesn't count as real experience? I know two people who does work in nursing but I thought clinicals count since I am actually going to legit hospitals such as PMRC, Chesapeake hospital, etc, etc

[MusicEMT]

#1 and #2 are great tips!!! I work as a Physicians Exchange Operator/Main Hospital Switchboard Operator (I talk to everyone in and outside the hospital). We have had three people who have gone to Nursing school in our department and had jobs right off the bat. At the hospital I work at Internal Candidates applications are put on top of the pile.. In fact we have a separate application for internal candidates. Even volunteering can get you alot of contacts. I actually am going to be volunteering at ER for the same hospital because thats where i want to end up..