What would you have done differently in school to help get hired?

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I'm on a waiting list for an accelerated nursing program, and while I'm nervously waiting, I'm curious as to how to up my chances of getting hired as a new grad (hopefully) in a year.

For all of you new grads searching for jobs, is there something you wish you would have done in school to up your chances of landing a job? (eg volunteer, network, go to more job fairs, get better grades, write down contacts/things learned from clinicals, etc)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I would've become a CNA, by any means necessary.

I went to nursing school with no medical background, so I tried to find a CNA job. I knew that nursing students in my state could become CNAs by challenging the written CNA exam and passing the practical part. I wish I'd knocked some heads together, and kept knocking heads together, until someone told me exactly how to do that. No one would, not even my advisor. I finally found out, on my own, 2 weeks before graduation.

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Specializes in (future hope) Genetic Nursing.
I'm on a waiting list for an accelerated nursing program, and while I'm nervously waiting, I'm curious as to how to up my chances of getting hired as a new grad (hopefully) in a year.

For all of you new grads searching for jobs, is there something you wish you would have done in school to up your chances of landing a job? (eg volunteer, network, go to more job fairs, get better grades, write down contacts/things learned from clinicals, etc)

Definitely would have worked as a CNA in a hospital while in school. I think first this would have allowed me to network with in that hospital (for a better shot of employment) and two it would have showed on my resume that I did extensive have practical experience in a hospital setting. Granted there still is not guarantee that this would lead to employment. But it probably a better route than I took which was volunteering for an externship one summer.

But also keep in mind it really more about "where" you living in the country right now than what you can "put on your resume" that counts. Granted the thing you mentioned: networking, good grades, and learning as many skills (and being certified in them) is always a good idea to get a leg up.

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

From the perspective of someone on the other side of the hiring decision (people doing the hiring), I can offer this advice.

1. Choose the right school -- one that is highly respected by the employers that interest you -- one that does clinicals at those hospitals.

2. If you have the opportunity to do a senior preceptorship, capstone experience, etc. at the employer of your choice -- do it. That's one of the best routes into an organization.

3. Volunteer (or get a part time job) at the employer of your choice. That alone can't get you a job, but it might help you get an interview

4. Also dress, speak, and behave professionally when in clinicals, etc. You never know who might be forming an opinion of you as a professional. Give yourself a good reputation, not a bad one.

5. Get terrific grades. The DO matter.

6. Network. Go to job fairs, professional organization meetings, etc. You never know who you might meet at an event.

7. Any time you get to choose the topic of a paper, class presentation, etc. consider it an opportunity to demonstrate an interest in your chosen specialty. Those student projects can often be added to a resume to show an employer to demonstrate that you are interested in that topic and have taken the initiative to learn more about it. Choose a topic that reflects your specialty interest.

You want to graduate with a resume that shows you are an outstanding student who has demonstrated a special interest in the specialty you are pursue. You have gotten some experience in that specialty and/or done some extra study of that specialty and you have a positive professional reputation.

You are smart to be asking that question so early in your career. Too many students don't think about those things until after they graduate -- when it is too late to make the most of their education.

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Change majors, my area is just that devoid of new grad opportunities. When the Sigma Theta Tau students with externships can't get jobs you know theres a problem.

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The hospital here always asked if you have ever volunteered there. I"m sure CNA training and extra courses would help also.

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Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics, Renal Med/Surg.

I was a nursing asst. where I worked and STILL couldn't get a job there so its definitely not always a shoe in to work as a nursing asst. and get an RN job after you graduate and pass boards.

Its mostly about who you know. Network as much as possible if you don't know anyone in particular.

After that comes the good grades, volunteering, having an awesome resume', great interpersonal relations, and learning how to do a great interview.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I would have graduated in 2007.. instead of 2011.

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This is great! Thanks to everyone for your input! (and keep it comin'!) Unfortunately, working during an accelerated program is highly discouraged due to the fast pace and rigorous coursework, but I plan on volunteering on weekends because many hospitals only require a 4-hr/week commitment, which is definitely doable! I have my EMT (and ACLS), but many places don't allow an EMT certification to substitute for a CNA certification, but shoot, with or without certification, I'll change beds and take vitals like it's my job (Oh. wait...)

@Catch, I actually already have a degree, I'm just going back to school to do something I'm passionate about (just like thousands of others, I know). I'm kinda diving in and hoping for the best...

@llg, what fantastic information...thank you!! I bet you get asked what the magical key to getting hired is all the time, so I appreciate your response!

Good luck to everyone in their job hunt, and may the hiring gods be kind to you!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
This is great! Thanks to everyone for your input! (and keep it comin'!) Unfortunately, working during an accelerated program is highly discouraged due to the fast pace and rigorous coursework, but I plan on volunteering on weekends because many hospitals only require a 4-hr/week commitment, which is definitely doable! !

It is true that working during the accelerated program is discouraged.... but, in this economy, my advice would be try to do it anyway. Even if it is only one shift a weekend - or less - as a CNA/PCA or a PTAT (patient attendant). I graduated from an accelerated program last year and I did not work during school. In the end, it turned out fine for me - I had great grades and had been a CNA in the past so had some experience- but I (admittedly) lucked into an interview. I thank all the gods that be that it worked out, but before I lucked into that interview, I was really regretting that I hadn't tried to get a position at a local hospital during school so I could have some contacts. My classmates who worked during school had a MUCH easier time getting interviews and subsequent RN positions at their hospitals after graduation.

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Specializes in ICU.

I would have worked as a PCT/CNA during school if I had it all to do over again. I commuted an hour each way during my accelerated program and it was very difficult to find time to study, let alone work during the program with that commute. I think it would have given me an advantage in looking for jobs now. I did focus very strongly on my grades and clinical experiences, I kept in touch with all of my clinical instructors, and I advocated for myself for my senior preceptorship to be placed in an ICU. Because of my grades I was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau. I think that those four things really solidified my resume and made it less difficult to get a job. It's true that C=Degree, but A's make you a much more desirable candidate to a hospital.

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Paid attention in class....

JUST KIDDING!

I would have honestly been a CNA or put myself in a position where I was exposed to healthcare as I had no previous experience, if you don't want to do a hospital CNA, do MA or you can work as an assistant to a surgery center or something, there are so many options..even a doctors office, at least your learn how to communicate with patients, build rapport.

Anyway, when I was in school they always told us NOT to get a job as a CNA or even a secretary on the unit or anything because they did not want us to get into the habit of seeing how "real world" nurses work as compared to "text book/nclex" nursing and then fail our exams and be like "well at work today that is not what we did!!". But honestly I think that as long as you know the text book answer and you realize this, you can still pass your exams..duh and on top of that gain experience/ be exposed to the field.

Also it helps to go to a school near where you want to practice because I went to school in Champaign-Urbana Illinois but live in the suburbs of Chicago...I could have had an easier chance signing on to a unit of a hospital where I had clinicals in C-U, rather than coming back home and competing with all the nurses here who already had a foot in the door during their clinicals at schools near home.

Still, almost a year after graduating I finally got a hospital job. I had worked previously in an office, surgi-center, flu shots..etc etc

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