Entering the job market is hard enough. Are there too many others searching, effectively flooding the candidate pool? Are there decent openings? If I get a job, would it pay enough to support me? Now consider the added pressure of keeping patients alive. Welcome to the world of nursing.
Taking the plunge without making a few considerations can get you in over your head or, even worse, in a miserable job, and that’s no way to begin your career. Before you start touring the resume around town, here are some tips to give you a head start.
Pick what interests you
“Nursing” is a catch-all term for an exceptionally diverse field. It’s important you travel down a path you feel comfortable with. Elderly care, child care, perhaps late nights in the emergency room or business hours in a clinic suit you best. Some jobs can have you on the road as a travel nurse, others may put you in charge of a school clinic. There are thousands of different positions available. Take a second to see what’s available and consider the environment you’d prefer.
Overcome your inexperience
The running joke in today’s job market is the entry-level position with three to five years of experience. The issue? It’s the truth. When you’re fresh out of school it’s tough to convince recruiters your resume meets these requirements. Check with your school’s administration to see if they offer positions through partnerships with local hospitals. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door.
Consider the travel time
Nurses have grueling shifts. With some exceptions, most can expect to work 12-hour shifts which are mostly spent standing and walking. If you’re just completed a shift, would you want to hop in the car and drive an hour home? Before you take the cushy job at a clinic that’s a minimum hour drive, consider the cost of transportation versus a ten-minute commute to the hospital down the road.
Determine your end goals
Do you see surgery prep or child delivery in your future? Little did you know, these positions can’t be reached with a regular hospital nursing job. Becoming a surgeon takes additional schooling in addition to experience working with operation facilities and labs. Those helping children enter the world will get their best start in an obstetrician’s office.
Entering the nursing field can be overwhelming, but with these steps, you’re guaranteed to have a head start on landing your first job.
Ready to find your first nursing job? Visit www.Monikl.com today.
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