The healthcare industry is often described as being recession-proof. Even when the economy is down, people still get sick or injured, and they need care. Still, in recent years nursing jobs have become increasingly difficult to find, despite the media fascination with shortages of RNs. Forums online are filled with CNAs who have graduated from school, passed the board exam, and still have trouble finding a full time position. So, where should you begin if you are looking for a job in the nursing industry?
If you have already graduated, odds are good that you already have some work experience to put on your resume. Many nursing students use the time when they are in school to become CNAs, or Certified Nursing Assistants. You can become a CNA even if you are still taking classes. This is a great way to start building your professional network. Use Linked-in and other career websites to connect with your colleagues, and find out about possible job openings. Hospitals are more likely to hire recent graduates who bring experience as a nursing assistant to the table.
For those who graduated without getting some experience in the nursing field, do not worry. There are other ways for you to get the entry-level experience that employers are looking for in an RN. Try volunteering at a hospital or clinic. Clinics especially will be desperate for the free help, and then you can add this to your resume to get the higher paying job you want. Sometimes, if you form a relationship with an organization as a volunteer, they will even hire you if paying work becomes available. It's worth a try, and it will definitely look better on your resume than a job at a fast food or retail joint.
Not everyone can afford to offer their services for free, of course. If you have a great resume, and feel confident that employers will see you as a valuable RN, there are a few other things you can try to find nursing jobs. One option is to look for travel nursing positions, either through an agency or on your own. Travel nursing refers to nurses who move around from one hospital to another, around the country, to fill temporary openings. If a hospital has a nurse that is on maternity leave, for example, they will often hire a travel nurse to fill the position. These kinds of jobs are great for people who already like to travel, but might not have the means to do so on their own. You could look for openings in Hawaii, Florida, New York, California, or wherever you would like to visit. All you need to do is make sure that you are certified as a nurse for each state where you will be working, and this is something that your potential employer should be able to help with. Plus, just like the other career options listed above, travel nursing is a great way to build your resume and make connections in the nursing field.
If you have already graduated, odds are good that you already have some work experience to put on your resume. Many nursing students use the time when they are in school to become CNAs, or Certified Nursing Assistants. You can become a CNA even if you are still taking classes. This is a great way to start building your professional network. Use Linked-in and other career websites to connect with your colleagues, and find out about possible job openings. Hospitals are more likely to hire recent graduates who bring experience as a nursing assistant to the table.
For those who graduated without getting some experience in the nursing field, do not worry. There are other ways for you to get the entry-level experience that employers are looking for in an RN. Try volunteering at a hospital or clinic. Clinics especially will be desperate for the free help, and then you can add this to your resume to get the higher paying job you want. Sometimes, if you form a relationship with an organization as a volunteer, they will even hire you if paying work becomes available. It's worth a try, and it will definitely look better on your resume than a job at a fast food or retail joint.
Not everyone can afford to offer their services for free, of course. If you have a great resume, and feel confident that employers will see you as a valuable RN, there are a few other things you can try to find nursing jobs. One option is to look for travel nursing positions, either through an agency or on your own. Travel nursing refers to nurses who move around from one hospital to another, around the country, to fill temporary openings. If a hospital has a nurse that is on maternity leave, for example, they will often hire a travel nurse to fill the position. These kinds of jobs are great for people who already like to travel, but might not have the means to do so on their own. You could look for openings in Hawaii, Florida, New York, California, or wherever you would like to visit. All you need to do is make sure that you are certified as a nurse for each state where you will be working, and this is something that your potential employer should be able to help with. Plus, just like the other career options listed above, travel nursing is a great way to build your resume and make connections in the nursing field.
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