What can I do now to help get the job I want?

[chaplainjanie]

I'm just beginning the process - I'm second career and will be returning to school in the fall for a few pre-reqs and then hopefully beginning in January and *hopefully* finished in Dec 2013.

It looks like a lot of new grads struggle to get hired at all or in a field in which they're interested. At this point, I have a wide variety of interests. Its probably easier to say what I'm NOT interested in rather than what I AM... but still. I want to be able to work hard now to have the best possible chances of getting something I like when I'm finished.

I'm thinking that stellar grades are a given. I'd rather now work while attending school, but would one or two shifts a week as a CNA in a unit I like be advantageous? The experience will surely be a benefit.

I also have two years of experience as a hospital chaplain, so lots of experience in Critical Care, the ED, and palliative care - all areas I'd be interested in serving. I also have those chaplain-y skills as well (not all chaplains do! ) I hope this would help; what do you think?

I hope its okay to post this here - I thought you all would have the most insight. :) Thank you!

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

You might want to narrow it down- are you wanting to do bedside, or something else? With chaplaincy experience, I would think you would do well in case-work/mgnt, patient advocacy, rehab, psyche, or in the ED/CC as a "crisis interventionalist"(i.e., assisting victims of violent crime, collection of evidence without making it too clinical, etc..)

For bedside, CNA/AUA work will never hurt, and it can be an opening to the RN position, after graduation.

[beatrice1]

I also had the same thoughts as you, "as to not work while going to school" I wanted to put all my time and effort into school. I only worked two overnights a week as a Private CNA.

To be honest, I don't think the Stellar grades make all the difference, it's the experience they are looking for.

I graduated in January and still looking for a job. If I could do it all over again, I would look for Student Nurse Internships, work as a CNA somewhere, volunteer.. anything to network. Get to know the hiring managers in the hospital you want to work at. Join student Nurse organizations. Network, Network, Network. Stay friendly with all your classmates, cause you may need them later for referals or job leads...

Go above and beyond during clinicals, dont be afraid to jump in there and learn all the skills you can. Get friendly with the Staff Nurses, Network, Network, Network...

Hopes this helps

Bea

[MrWarmHearted]

that's good that you're starting to think about the bigger picture early. that's what Jesus kept reminding us to do too;

First things first, you need to get accepted into nursing school.

It helps if you have CNA experience. . .

btw, the chaplain experience will Not help. Hope you're Not the type that tells people that God has a (mysterious) plan for everyone (i.e. as the reason they are in the ER, ICU . . . ) as that is Not what the Bible says.

[chaplainjanie]

btw, the chaplain experience will Not help. Hope you're Not the type that tells people that God has a (mysterious) plan for everyone (i.e. as the reason they are in the ER, ICU . . . ) as that is Not what the Bible says.

Yeah, that's in Chaplain 101... its cruel to say that.

[PortlandOR, RN]

Good advice! The school counselors are advising the exact same. Networking is the key!

[chaplainjanie]

I do think my chaplain experience will help in the long run, even if not on paper... of course I'm going into nursing school with years of experience in stressful clinical situations and I've observed some amazing things, so I do think it helps... since we're talking "big picture" and all. :)

[himilayaneyes]

With nursing jobs tight these days, I'd suggest you apply to many different areas of nursing, even LTC. I can't say that your chaplain experience will look good as far as them looking at your clinical experience to help you land a job. Working as a cna looks better as far as clinical experience. Being a chaplain will help you in the mental/emotional aspects of nursing. I personally would suggest working as a cna. It definitely helped me out during my first nursing job search.

[Katie5]

Network, network, network!

[frogdream]

I graduated Dec '10. the only people in my class who have jobs so far, have jobs in the hospital they were working in already. I worked in administration, one was a CNA, etc. I would suggest CNA or unit clerk - wherever you will have contact with nurses and nurse leaders!!