How to Gain Valuable Experience as a Nurse

The U.S. Army offers education assistance to nurses in exchange for service.

Working as a nurse can be a rewarding career option, since the field offers excellent employment opportunity, specialty areas of practice and advancement opportunities. Individuals interested in a career as a nurse must complete a nursing program, although many nursing students begin working in the field before completing their education. Students generally can begin working as a nursing assistant or practical nurse sooner than they can work as a registered nurse, so they can gain experience while they're still in school.

Instructions

1. Apply to be a travel nurse. Travel nurses gain experience while seeing different parts of the country, or traveling to foreign countries, and get to work in different settings. This helps nurses gain varied and valuable experience while they enjoy the excitement of seeing new places.

2. Volunteer with organizations that desperately need nurses. There are many organizations -- national and international -- that would benefit from your nursing services while providing you valuable experience in return. Consider the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, or do an online search to find many other opportunities.

3. Join the army as an army nurse. According to the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Medical Department is one of the biggest and most advanced healthcare systems. Service in the army offers both personal and financial benefits, including help in paying for your nursing education.

4. Apply for a nursing internship. Internships provide excellent opportunities for students to transition to the clinical environment and apply their education in real world situations. Nursing students can work and study at the same time, so they will have valuable work experience to put on their resume upon graduation.

5. Apply for a nursing job that interests you. Check with your school's career placement office or scan local newspapers, online job boards and hospital websites for job opportunities. Any experience that you gain will be valuable.

References

• U.S. Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics: Registered Nurses
• Mayo Clinic: Nursing in Arizona - Student Nurse Extern Program
• American Nurse Today; Are We Jeopardizing Healthcare’s Future by Not Hiring Our New Grads Today?; Donna Cardillo, MA, RN
• Army ROTC: ROTC for Nursing Students
• John Hopkins University - School of Nursing Career Center: Clinical Nurse Intern/Extern Programs
• U.S. Army: Nurse Corps