We all know how the old saying goes – “You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience.” Rest assured, you are not the first person to be left scratching your head when writing your first resume and cover letter. There is an abundance of strategies recent or unemployed nursing graduates can utilize in their job search. This article examines 6 of them:
1. Internships
No one likes working for free, but working as an intern can help open you up to opportunities you never thought possible. Often, health care facilities opt to hire interns before outsiders because they are familiar with the rules and regulations and are already comfortable with the staff and workload. Don’t limit yourself to your specialty, you never know when you will discover another interest you are passionate about.
2. Programs with Career Placements
There are several colleges in the United States that offer nursing programs with job placements. Take a look at the school calendar to find out when these placements occur. Then find out where these placements are and reach out yourself.
3. Volunteer
The benefit of volunteering is that there is not much competition for these positions. Volunteering your time with organizations, such as Red Cross, will help build your resume and make you look presentable to the employer.
4. Sitter Work
Sitter work can range from occasional to part time to full time work. You basically act as a health care aid/personal support worker that is hired by the family (in consultation with the hospital/health care facility) to provide individualized and complementary care for the patient(s). Often times, if you work well with the clients, you will be short listed for a more stable opportunity in the same place.
5. Don’t Be Picky
You may not be working in the discipline you want, but you are building on your experience and resume. One mistake we often see new and recent graduates make is turning down work outside of their specialization.
6. References
Take a moment to speak to the management and medical staff where you are completing placements, doing your internships or volunteering. Let them know that you are looking for work and are willing to learn the ropes. Having a manager, physician or nurse practitioner, to name a few, as references on your resume will earn you at least an interview.
1. Internships
No one likes working for free, but working as an intern can help open you up to opportunities you never thought possible. Often, health care facilities opt to hire interns before outsiders because they are familiar with the rules and regulations and are already comfortable with the staff and workload. Don’t limit yourself to your specialty, you never know when you will discover another interest you are passionate about.
2. Programs with Career Placements
There are several colleges in the United States that offer nursing programs with job placements. Take a look at the school calendar to find out when these placements occur. Then find out where these placements are and reach out yourself.
3. Volunteer
The benefit of volunteering is that there is not much competition for these positions. Volunteering your time with organizations, such as Red Cross, will help build your resume and make you look presentable to the employer.
4. Sitter Work
Sitter work can range from occasional to part time to full time work. You basically act as a health care aid/personal support worker that is hired by the family (in consultation with the hospital/health care facility) to provide individualized and complementary care for the patient(s). Often times, if you work well with the clients, you will be short listed for a more stable opportunity in the same place.
5. Don’t Be Picky
You may not be working in the discipline you want, but you are building on your experience and resume. One mistake we often see new and recent graduates make is turning down work outside of their specialization.
6. References
Take a moment to speak to the management and medical staff where you are completing placements, doing your internships or volunteering. Let them know that you are looking for work and are willing to learn the ropes. Having a manager, physician or nurse practitioner, to name a few, as references on your resume will earn you at least an interview.
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