How to Get Your First Job as a Nurse

You’ve made it through years of school, hours of studying, and many late nights worrying about your new career. Now it’s time to start this exciting new chapter of your life, yet you might be a bit unsure of how to get your first job as a nurse. Here are some simple tips for getting your first nursing job, even with no experience.

·         Many of the advertised openings will require experience. You can bypass that by working as an intern or shadow a mature nurse. There are also numerous companies that need staff for travel nurses and temp nurses. The positions need to be filled, so they may overlook a lack of experience. It can be a great way to jumpstart your career.

·         Figure out what area of nursing is right for you. From the emergency room to minute clinics, pediatric specialties, and elder care, the nursing possibilities are vast. When you decide on the area that seems like a good fit, you’re able to focus on the available jobs and apply with purpose. This can be a smart time to be an intern or assistant, where your main goal is to learn.  

·         Decide the schedule and location where you would like to work. Each medical facility will have different operational models; you might work only days or only nights or long weekends and holidays. Decide what is important to you and apply for jobs that meet that criteria.

·         Market yourself. Revise your resume to match your new job skills and promote what you’ve learned through school, any internships, and life experiences you’ve gained along the way. This your chance to shine, even if this is your first nursing job, you have plenty of marketable skills you’ve adapted over the years to make it to this point. Consider having a friend or fellow nurse review the info and make sure you are putting your best foot forward.

·         Apply to every position that looks promising. Really getting your resume out there and even hearing back from a large number of companies will help you in the long run. You’ll learn what works, what gets their attention, what turns them off, and even how to interview better.

·         Don’t give up. If you don’t get a reply within the first couple of weeks, reevaluate how you can improve and even consider volunteering while you wait for the ideal job.

Your career in healthcare is a promising one. There are endless possibilities and opportunities when you work hard and make the right connections. If you are searching for a nursing position, contact us today.