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| How Do You Get the Job Every New Grad Wants? Advice from a Veteran Nurse |
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by Kimber Lyn Rogelstad, RN - August 11, 2010
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In this tough economy finding your first nursing job can be frustrating and disheartening. It seems that the nursing shortage does not apply to you, a new grad with a good education and training but no experience. Although many hospitals have IP programs they usually have twice the number of applicants as they do positions. With that said, how do you get the job that every new grad wants?
First and foremost, put together a resume that not only shows your education and employment history, but your volunteer experience. It is always a good idea to volunteer at anything health related while in nursing school; and if you were unable to do so for one reason or another it’s not too late to volunteer now. Hospitals and clinic are always looking for good volunteers as well as community and school health fairs. You can also include any personal care giving of friends and neighbors when they were ill. This will demonstrate your passion for nursing before you actually became one.
Secondly, take a good look at your strengths, your interests and your challenges. Make a list and then formalize that into a one or two sentence paragraph that will identify your short and long term goals in nursing. Did you lose someone you know to cancer and were impressed with the care they received on an oncology floor or home health hospice? Did you attend a short term mission trip to a third world orphanage and discover that you have a desire to help children in the medical, surgical or school environment to be healthy and able to pursue their own goals and dreams as adults? Are you a good crisis manager, maybe serving on a community disaster response team and live for that adrenaline rush and sense of satisfaction when lives are saved and/or changed? Then the emergency room; urgent care clinics and ICU would be a good possible goal for you. There are many hospitals that have specific training programs for these types of nursing positions so it is to your benefit to include those interests and experiences in your resume.
While you are looking for a job, look for and get any extra training and certificates in your area of interest. Go beyond your required BLS renewal and do the ACLS class. As I mentioned earlier, volunteer at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and schools. Schools especially love to have health professionals come in to help with their health fairs and drug awareness education programs. Volunteer at any health related community events including walks for charity. Show your future employer that your interest goes beyond a job; that you are genuinely interested in nursing as a profession that is built upon helping others learn to be healthy and caring for those who are unable to care for themselves.
Remember that whatever path you choose you are joining a very elite group of people who just want to make a difference in their little corner of the world.
 Kimber Lyn Rogelstad has a MS in nursing from the University of Phoenix, San Diego California. She has been working in various areas of nursing for 25 years including nurse education, with her passion being Community and Home Health. Her desire is to mentor, educate and encourage nurses in their chosen nursing path as well as continue to promote health and wellness in her community.
The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.
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| Anne (California) |
on 19 Aug 2010 at 7:55 pm |
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Kimber - I am a new grad, looking for work and 'disheartening' pretty much hits the nail right on the head. I found your advice really helpful, though - volunteering at least makes me feel that I'm putting my education and passion for nursing to good use. It's also just really nice to hear some encouraging words from someone within the nursing community.
Thanks!
anne |
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| Doris Warden (New Jersey/PA) |
on 19 Aug 2010 at 1:11 pm |
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| I am a LPN with over 15 years of experience, however I left Nursing to start my own company. I recently reactivated my license in NJ,Pa and MD, and trust it has been really frustrating to find ANY EMPLOYMENT. I see all kinds of ads online and off, redid my resume and still nothing. What is really going on with the nursing opportunities? I have been looking for over 3 months. |
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