How do I have a chance at finding a job when I am a new grad RN with zero background in healthcare (aside from clinicals during school)? My resume has nothing that would stand out or matter to a hospital. I graduate this December.
Look for “New Grad/RN Residency” jobs. These are geared specifically to nurses fresh out of school with zero experience. Put any work experience you have on your resume as it can show an ability to work with other people, customers, and work ethic. Also include what clinical rotations you did in school so the hiring hospital can see your background! The first nursing resume is kinda of a hybrid between a professional nurse resume, and the google template we used in high school/college for jobs at the YMCA 😂. If you did any big research/informatics projects in school you can include those too, as well as any training like BLS/ACLS/PALS, and what EHR you’re familiar with (EPIC/CERNER/etc.) Hope this helps!
You would be surprised what hospitals are looking for. I managed a residency program for 5 years and participated in the hiring process. We looked for qualities and types of experience that would show the candidate's work ethic and ability to tackle hard things (like confronting difficult co-workers or customers). We found waiting tables an excellent training for time management, customer service, and prioritization. Camp counsellors were great at managing large groups of people/children and engaging them in activities (patient education, treatment). We asked behavioral questions that helped us to find those new grads with the spirit, work ethic, ability to work on a team, and patient care attitudes that would make them great nurses. So think about any type of jobs you have done. How do the skills you used translate into caring for people? Even volunteer work can show organizational skills and compassionate attitudes. Good luck and I hope this has helped...
I suggest you include your experiences during your student nursing rotations
If indeed there is a nursing shortage...you should not have any problems
