How to Find a Job As a New Graduate RN
Nursing is a versatile career choice as it allows you to consider jobs in so many different venues. With a nursing degree, you can specialize and become a surgical nurse or you can work in departments such as pediatrics, geriatrics or emergency. If you have a family, you may want a job as a school nurse in order to have summers off to be with your children. If you are single, you could work as a nurse on a cruise ship or be an international traveling nurse. In any case, finding the perfect job takes research and preparation.
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Things You'll Need
- Nursing degree
- Computer with Internet access and printer
- Resume including references
- Phone
Instructions
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Prepare a resume or curriculum vitae. You need an online resume as well as a printed resume. Your resume reflects you, so make sure that it is error-free, well-written and printed on quality paper. There are many online websites that you can consult when creating or updating your nursing resume (see Resources).
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Write a cover letter to accompany your resume. Include information such as your nursing experience even if the only experience you have is from your formal training.
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Set up business contacts online using networking sites such as LinkedIn and Nursingjobs.com (see Resources).
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Check online job-search sites. If you are willing to relocate, your chances of finding a nursing job are better.
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Check newspapers and inquire at hospitals about nursing job openings.
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Follow up job applications by phoning to inquire whether your application reached its destination. Be assertive and ask if you can set up an appointment with the hiring manager.
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Keep at it; don't give up easily. If a position is no longer available, ask if you can meet with someone in human resources in the event that another position becomes available. Though nursing jobs are plentiful, so is the competition. The more contacts you make, the better your chances of being hired.
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Resources
- Photo Credit nurse image by Peter Baxter from Fotolia.com
