November 3, 2022
How to Land a Job as a New Grad Nurse
The media often talks about the nursing shortage and the high demand for nurses, but believe it or not, it can be difficult to land a job as a new grad nurse. I remember nearing the end of nursing school and some of my fellow classmates had already gotten a job before graduating or passing their NCLEX. I felt like I was behind and missing something because I couldn’t even get an interview. There is so much pressure in the last few months of nursing school because you need to finish up all your classes, start preparing for the NCLEX and start looking for a job. This is overwhelming, to say the least.
Prioritize What is Important
You will learn as a working nurse, you can only do so much at one time and you need to constantly prioritize. When overwhelmed, focus on the biggest priority. If you haven’t passed all your classes yet or have finals coming up, that is your first priority. Once you pass your classes you can focus on passing your NCLEX. Once you pass your NCLEX and get your license you can focus on landing your first nursing job.
Although some nursing students may be able to land a job before graduating from school and passing the NCLEX this is not the norm. Even though they may have a job set up, they cannot start that nursing job until they pass their NCLEX and get their license. So slow down and take it one step at a time. In many areas, you may not be able to even apply for nursing jobs until you get your license.
Questions to Consider
There are several factors that will affect getting your first nursing job. Consider the following questions when beginning your job search.
- Do you have any experience working in a healthcare system?
- Do you know any nurses or nursing managers you would feel comfortable reaching out to about getting a job?
- Are you open to relocating?
- What facilities are in your area that hire nurses?
- Do you have a specific specialty you want to work in?
If You Are Currently In Nursing School
If you are a go-getter and already reading this even though you are not close to graduating, good for you. Although nursing school is already hard enough it may be beneficial for you to get some type of healthcare experience before graduating. There are several ways to do this such as,
1. Get a Job in Healthcare That Does Not Require a Degree
There are several jobs in healthcare that do not require a degree and are a great way to get your foot in the door. Consider being a nursing assistant, secretary, dietary worker, patient sitter, housekeeper, or patient transporter. There are so many opportunities out there. Look at job listings for hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, or any other healthcare facility. Getting any type of healthcare experience is going to be helpful to you when you go to apply for jobs as a new nurse. Managers want to see that you know what it is like in the healthcare setting. Getting experience in a healthcare setting is also going to help you meet people in the industry.
2. Do Volunteer Work in Healthcare
Nursing school takes up a lot of time and if you don’t have the time to commit to a job then consider volunteering. Many healthcare facilities look for volunteers to help with simple tasks such as greeting visitors.
3. Make a Good Impression on Professors, Instructors, and Managers
There is plenty of networking that takes place when you are a nursing student. Make sure to build good relationships with your professors and clinical instructors. When you go to clinicals introduce yourself to the managers and make a good impression in case you would like to work at that facility in the future.
If You Are Almost Done Nursing School or Struggling to Find a Job as a New Grad Nurse
If you are almost done nursing school and have not gotten any job or volunteer experience in healthcare other than your clinicals don’t fret. You can still land a job as a new nurse. As mentioned before, remember to prioritize. Concentrate on finishing your classes and passing the NCLEX before you dive into your job search. Once you pass your NCLEX and have your license you can begin the job-hunting process. Follow these steps to help you land your first nursing job as a new grad nurse.
1. Polish Your Resume
Writing a resume as a new grad can be tough because you may not have much to put on it. Managers who will hire new grads know this so be straightforward about your experience level. Everyone starts somewhere.
If you are having trouble with your resume or there are no jobs getting back to you, consider getting some professional resume help. Many schools have career centers that will help you polish your resume or hire a freelancer who specializes in resume writing. If your resume doesn’t have specific keywords that the human resources department is looking for, your resume may not even get into the hands of a nursing manager. Make sure your resume is in tip-top shape when you start applying for jobs.
2. Talk to Nurses You Already Know
If you have any friends or family that are nurses, reach out to them and see if the facility they work at is hiring. If they feel inclined and comfortable they may put in a good word for you with the hiring manager. This is also a great way to see if they believe the facility would be a good fit for you.
3. Don’t Rush Your Applications
Job applications can be tedious. Pace yourself and don’t rush through them. Many applications now require you to complete personality tests and open-ended questions. Take these seriously. If you don’t seem like a good fit on your application then you will not easily get an interview.
4. Consider Your Factors and Long-Term Goals
Remember those questions we had you consider in the beginning? Keep those in mind when you are applying for jobs. Don’t just apply to any nursing job. If you don’t think you would be a good fit then you probably won’t be and you shouldn’t waste your time applying.
Even if your long-term goal is to work in a specific specialty, consider working in med surg, long-term care, or a skilled nursing facility first to get your foot in the door. Some specialties can be very competitive to land a job in, even if you are an experienced nurse. New grad nurses should also consider nurse residency programs. These may also be called nursing internships or externships. These programs are designed with new nurses in mind. They usually involve classes, mentorship, and orientation, and are a great way for new grads to get a confident start to their nursing career.
5. Don’t Apply to Old Job Listings or Jobs You Don’t Qualify For
As you have probably already learned, getting a job as a new nurse can be competitive. Don’t waste your time applying to job postings that are more than a few weeks old. In most cases, these are just old posts that haven’t been taken down yet. If you find a job posting that looks great for you but the listing seems old, call the human resources department to see if they are still looking for candidates.
The same goes for jobs that you don’t qualify for. Don’t waste your time applying if you don’t meet the required qualifications. Some job postings will specifically say you need so many years of experience or certain certifications. If you don’t meet these qualifications you probably won’t be chosen for an interview.
6. Use Multiple Methods of Job Searching
There are several methods of finding a job. As discussed before, reach out to any nurses you know to see if their facilities are hiring. Go to healthcare career fairs. If you are using the internet to find nursing jobs, make sure to use more than one job posting website.
Another great option is to list all the local healthcare facilities in your area that you would consider working at. Then go to each of their individual websites and view their career listings. Oftentimes these jobs don’t make it to the general job posting sites and you could be missing out on them.
7. Make Sure to Prepare for Interviews
Never go to an interview unprepared. Make sure to review the company’s website. Find out what their mission is. Find nursing interview questions on the internet and review them out loud. Some facilities use behavior analysis-based questions where they will ask you about personal experiences. An example of this would be, “Tell me about a time when you did not agree with your manager and what you did about it?” These can be tough and it would be wise to practice some of them.
Make it your goal to make a genuine connection with the people who are interviewing you. Give them an honest compliment. Be engaging and eager. Ask them questions. Interviews are hard and can cause a lot of anxiety. Everyone knows that so just try to prepare as best you can and be yourself.
8. Be Flexible and Patient
You may not be able to land your dream job right out of the gate as a new grad nurse. This is just a fact of life. Be flexible and understand that finding your dream job takes time. This also applies to schedules. Even if you want to work the day shift, you may have to work the night shift for some time while you gain experience. Remember to keep your long-term goals in mind and be patient and flexible. You will get there but it will take time. Everyone has a unique journey in the nursing field.