What to do after passing NCLEX-RN

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Hello everyone! :)

Before you answer my questions, I'll give you a quick info about myself lol :up::roflmao:

I graduated last year in the Philippines around April 2014 and passed my local board exam. However, I was not able to get a nursing experience there since I had to migrate here in US.

I took my NCLEX-RN exam last August 5, 2015 And found out 2 days later that I passed (yey!!! after months of sleepless nights all my hardwork paid off! :nurse::up:) Anyway, now I'm a little confused on what to do next so I have a couple of questions for you.

1. Am I still considered as "New Grad" even if it's been more than a year since I last graduated? Considering I haven't practiced nursing in the Philippines?

2. Can someone give me an advice on what trainings to get before I can apply for a "New Grad" program or for an RN job with no experience?

Thank you and Hippie Love! :yes:

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Congratulations! Some New Grad positions have specific requirements regarding when they want their new grads to have graduated. If you can't find any specifications in the posting, then I would have to assume you'd still be considered a new grad. But maybe you could make a phone call to HR and they could assist you? As far as extra training, definitely get your AHA BLS if you haven't already. Any others kind of depend on what area of nursing you're wanting to work. Anytime you're working with adults ACLS is great to have, although some hospitals will offer it once your hired. So that saves you money haha. But then again, it looks good on your resume to already have it... Goodluck in your endeavors! ;)

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Congratulations! Some New Grad positions have specific requirements regarding when they want their new grads to have graduated. If you can't find any specifications in the posting, then I would have to assume you'd still be considered a new grad. But maybe you could make a phone call to HR and they could assist you? As far as extra training, definitely get your AHA BLS if you haven't already. Any others kind of depend on what area of nursing you're wanting to work. Anytime you're working with adults ACLS is great to have, although some hospitals will offer it once your hired. So that saves you money haha. But then again, it looks good on your resume to already have it... Goodluck in your endeavors! ;)

Hi there hannahleahw! Thank you so much for the greeting and awesome advice, I really don't know how to start lol! :) Can I ask what area are you working right now? I still haven't made up my mind in which area will I work lol ;):up:

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

My suggestion...any area you can get a job. Don't just look at acute care. Look at acute rehab, long term acute care, subacute rehab, new grad/inexperienced nurse residencies in home health or private duty nursing, long term care, assisted living, acute psychiatric. Long term care pediatric inpatient.

There is little demand for inexperienced or new grad in much of the country with some areas having hundreds of applicants for a single posting. Cast your net wide to become an employed nurse getting experience sooner rather than later. Even if not your first choice employer you will be employed as a RN getting experience which will only help you move forward rather than sitting around unemployed waiting for the dream job. Look at descriptions of jobs if you need more than BLS/CPR

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Well I actually just graduated July 30 woohoo! Haha but my interest is in women and children services (L&D, mother baby, nursery, NICU). Anything like that I'm applying for. It can be difficult getting a job in this area as a new grad but I am going to try for a little while before settling for med surg. Most people recommend going med surg as a new grad but I'm a firm believer in trying for what you want! I mean I'm a new grad and I've already had a successful phone interview and got a face to face interview from that. So the options are endless really ;)

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Well I actually just graduated July 30 woohoo! Haha but my interest is in women and children services (L&D, mother baby, nursery, NICU). Anything like that I'm applying for. It can be difficult getting a job in this area as a new grad but I am going to try for a little while before settling for med surg. Most people recommend going med surg as a new grad but I'm a firm believer in trying for what you want! I mean I'm a new grad and I've already had a successful phone interview and got a face to face interview from that. So the options are endless really ;)

Wow that's so nice to hear!! I'm so happy that you are pursuing what you want. Right now I'm starting to make a list on what to do next and my goals. Good luck on the career you're on hannahleahw! Thank you for your response and Hippie Loveeeeee!

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My suggestion...any area you can get a job. Don't just look at acute care. Look at acute rehab, long term acute care, subacute rehab, new grad/inexperienced nurse residencies in home health or private duty nursing, long term care, assisted living, acute psychiatric. Long term care pediatric inpatient.

There is little demand for inexperienced or new grad in much of the country with some areas having hundreds of applicants for a single posting. Cast your net wide to become an employed nurse getting experience sooner rather than later. Even if not your first choice employer you will be employed as a RN getting experience which will only help you move forward rather than sitting around unemployed waiting for the dream job. Look at descriptions of jobs if you need more than BLS/CPR

Hello JustBeachyNurse! You didn't just give me infos about the demands of employment and the trainings needed but you also gave me some inputs and insights on where and how to start my career. Thank you so much! :up:;)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Demands depend on your area. The major metropolitan areas have more nurses than jobs.

Look at the listings, if a new grad or a training program all you need is your license and degree plus BLS/CPR. Any specific classes would be included in the training program such as IV therapy or telemetry. For a new or inexperienced posting such as a nurse residency only your degree and an active license plus CPR is needed. You are not expected to have other trainings for a new grad job.

In my area you would not be eligible as new grad is defined as 6-9months post graduation and no paid nursing experience. (You are over a year) however other areas such as parts of Texas a new grad is a recently graduated nurse with no paid nursing experience but no time limit post graduation

Look at job postings in your area, do they say minimum one year experience? ACLS preferred or required? BSN preferred?

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Goodluck to you!!

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Hello kababayan! How did you apply for a job? I passed my test last week. Do you need to take aha bls before applying for a job? or you can take aha bls in the hospital or facility where you are planning to apply and be hired? i don't know what to do. can i submit my resume now and apply before asking if they provide aha bls training? i'll appreciate your reply :)

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