How can I get an entry level nursing job?
412241
hi. ive been a nurse almost 20 yrs, i started as an LPN, and finally went back for my RN a few years later...\nthere are so many places you can work as a nurse, dont limit yourself.\none thing that you can do, since you are not licensed yet is try nursing homes, even as a nursing assistant you need to be certified, and some have their own cert/training program.  however, as a dialysis nurse for many years in the state of florida, i know that you can work as a tech in dialysis without needing certification, this will give you good experience in the medical field, get your foot in the door, and youmay even like it as a NURSE. ( i sure do)\njust be persistent. and look good, and professional at your interviews!\nGood Luck to you in nursing....its truly the Lord's work you'll be doing.\nGod Bless.
641193
You have hope!  You'll need to start in an entry-level position, but keep an open mind and you'll find work.\n\nThe first step is not refusing work because you feel it's beneath you.  I was miserable most of my 20s because I felt I was under-employed.  But I acquired skills that lead me to better and better jobs.  You've got to start somewhere.\n\nTips for finding a job:\n1. Get up, get showered, get dressed every morning, just as if you were going to work.  No sleeping in, no spending days watching tv or playing on the internet.  Your job is finding a job.  Take it seriously.\n\n2. Leave the house and go to the library.  Then start your search - use library computers and newspapers to find job listings.  Make a list of jobs to apply for that day.  Apply for jobs on-line.\n\n3.  Return home and make calls/write letters/fill out applications.\n\n4. Spend at least 1/2 hour each day working on improving your resume and practicing interview skills.  Find books at library if you're not sure how to do this.\n\nGood luck!
383822
A couple of quick ideas from this old RN.  How about administration in Hospitals or Nursing homes.  It should be a prerequisite for all those at the top of such organizations to have your background.  I would check with your state requirements for certification process for either of the above and go for it.  How about managing a "non-profit" having to do with the homeless situation in our country or the "battered or abused".  See--I still think like a nurse.  They say that nurses are "born" ,not just educated to do.  Ask yourself--which am I and go for it.  You have enough "book-learning"  dear.  Good luck
1006834
try and get work at local doctors office as a medical asst. Since you are a nursing student you should know the nuts and bolts of medical assting. Being a nursing student should give you some merit and should carry a little weight in finding something in the health field. If not there then try something small like a retirement home or YMCA or Red Cross or somethnig to that extent. It'll look good on your resume and should, hopefully, give you some pocket change to go along with it.
816718
Make sure you are not applying to jobs like at a hospital or something like that, they usually require you to have some exp..Try a nursing home for a while to get some exp then go somewhere else..You'd be susprised on where you'd go on a little exp. St a nursing home all you do is pass out meds, it ain't hard..I loved it
414005
Actually, the best thing would be to become a CNA or certified nursing assistant. Sometimes hospitals will take you and certify you there. You could also try being a PCA or personal care attendant. If you are interesting in going into nursing I would encourage you to get some hands on patient experience since it is usually a lot different than people expect. Stocking shelves is a lot different than draining urine from a catheter bag...you get what I mean? You might be better off getting a job at a Long Term Care facility or nursing home, they usually need more help than the hospitals. Go to your locate hospitals website and contact human resources.
1005671
i started out in the registration department when i first entered the hospital field. It's an easy job and the shifts aren't bad-basic requirements are good customer service skills and basic computer knowledge-having some medical terminology background is good too but not required. job involves interviewing patients that are being treated in the hospital. either in the pre-surgery area where patients check in prior to surgery or in the emergency room.\n\na cna is a good job as well since you have to have your cna classes taken before entering the nursing program-all hospitals need cnas.\n\nsome hospitals have a program where you can shadow a registered nurse and get paid for it. the hospital i work in has it-the official title here is a nurse extern. the requirement for this position is that you already have to be enrolled into an RN program in college. they allow you to do everything a registered nurse does under the supervision of a licensed nurse. check with your local hospital to see if they have the program.\n\ntransport is another option but if you want to be a nurse-you won't pick up much learning experience nurse-wise in this position. it mostly involves transporting patients from their room to a test, transferring patients from one floor to another or assisting patients to their cars upon discharge.\n\ni worked in registration for about 4 years then transferred to the cna job-which i enjoyed b/c i'm in trauma icu and i learned ALOT. now as a nurse extern-i get to take care of my patients and cannot wait until i graduate and have my license!!\n\napplying is fairly simple-just go into the human resources department at the hospital of your choice and ask to see the list of job openings. most places will have the job along with the requirements,type of shift (day,nite..8 hours or 12 hour shifts), and the requirements listed. some hospitals will also have websites where you can look up the job listings-just google the name of a hospital in your area and the website should come up-once there find the link for employment opportunites or careers.\n good luck to you!!
487481
Helpful Tips on Starting a Nursing Career\n\nGraduates completing their nursing program can look forward to entering a profession that is in great demand.  Across the country, there are over 20,000 openings for staff nurses to work in hospitals, clinics, home care, private practice, schools, military service, occupational settings, and health and wellness centers.\n\nEntry-level nursing positions start in the range of $35,000 to $50,000 with additional compensation for overtime, night and weekend work.  Given the nationwide nursing shortage, employers often “sweeten the pie” by providing sign-on bonuses of $3,000 to $6,000 along with up to $5,000 in reimbursed relocation expenses. In addition to competitive salaries, employers typically offer benefits packages that include health insurance, vacation and holiday pay, college tuition reimbursement, childcare allowance, flexible scheduling, and pension plans.\n\nThe nursing profession offers many challenges and significant rewards to those who enter the field devoted to the calling of relieving human suffering and dedicated to advancing their career.  Although it is not difficult finding a job as a new graduate, it does take careful planning to carve out a career as a distinguished Registered Nurse.  Here are some practical pointers to accomplish that goal:\n\nProvide quality patient care.  This is what your training has prepared you for as a personal caregiver and valuable member of a medical team.  Be diligent in establishing a reputation for providing quality patient care and supporting your health organization’s mission.  Along with demonstrating core competencies, develop the “people skills” required for you to work comfortably with all types of patients, physicians and other medical staff. \nStay on the cutting edge of medical knowledge.  To maintain state licensure and remain in good standing with your employer, you will need to accumulate a number of Continuing Nurse Education credits (CNE’s) each year.  In addition to acquiring CNE’s through formal classroom instruction, why not take advantage of the numerous online opportunities for CNE training?  (As one example, check out what’s offered on Nursingcenter.com:  www.nursingcenter.com/ce/index.cfm). \n\nTo stay abreast of medical advancements, trends and social issues that impact the nursing field, take time to regularly read professional publications like Nursing 2001, RN Journal, NurseWeek, RN Magazine, and Journal of the National Black Nurses Association.  Some have online versions that you can easily access at your leisure and convenience.\n\nBecome more “culturally competent.”  Nurses, like physicians and other health practitioners, are challenged to provide care to patient populations that are becoming increasingly culturally diverse.  One way to achieve this goal is to take advantage of any in-service training related to heightening cultural sensitivity, working with language translators, and so on.  More ambitious RN’s might also consider learning “medical Spanish” in order to better relate to the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States—persons of Hispanic/Latino background.  (One example of a medical Spanish program is found at www.idrama.com/MedSpan.htm). \n\nNetwork with other medical professionals. Topping the list would be other RN’s who have distinguished themselves in their field.  Networking contacts can also include nurse educators, career strategists, and nurse entrepreneurs (such as Nurse Legal Consultants), who can all provide valuable perspectives on career advancement issues.  Another important avenue for networking is to become involved in one or more professional associations, such as the American Nurses Association and the National Black Nurses Association.  The contacts, information sharing, and career resources these associations offer are invaluable for RN’s who are serious about career advancement. \nMake yourself more marketable.  Like other professi
528915
It depends on what degree you have and what capacity you nursing. For example a school nurse entry level position may only pay you between 24,000-28,000 US dollars per year, but entering the field as a nurse specializing in trauma, or geriatrics, pediatric, OR Nurse, Oncology Nursing, or any specialized nursing will not probably begin by paying you additional money, but in the long-run, specializing in a field of nursiong requiring specialized knowledge will pay off for you eventually.  Home health nursing can also be very lucrative though you must have a certain number of years experience as well as a certain level of knowledge and experience with different types of equipment. \nI have a friend who recently became an LPN and works regular 8 hr shifts 5-6 days per week and he made 66,000 US dollars last year.  It really depends on your level of education, the position you take and if you are administration in the nursing field, a Patient care manager, a Director of Nursing, assistant director of nursing or even in a recruiting or teaching position.  There is a significant difference in salary depending upon if you are an LPN- Licensed Practical Nurse, RN Registered nurse, BSN Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, or if you become a nurse practitioner.  LPN can be achieved in 2 or less years depending on if your program is excellerated, it allows you to nurse, but it limits the meds you can provide and in the field depending on where you nurse, it can limit you to doing treatments and giving meds only.  RN is historically achieved in 4 years and comes as a BSN but in previous years RN has been accelerated and given in 2-4 years without the bachelors degree.  Becoming a nurse practitioner is usually a step that some nurses who hold a Masters of Science in NUrsing take which will put them at about an equivelent level with a physician's assistant (PA) able to follow and treat patients but unable to prescribe narcotics and followed up by a physician who signs off on his/her treatments or prescribed course of action.  They work under the licensure or an approved physician.  I would suggest getting on a web site that does national or even international comparison for careers with varying levels of education.  Sorry I don't have additional time to find any for you at this time, but I hope this helped you out a bit anyway.  If I find time I will post some sites for you a bit later.  GOOD LUCK with your future endeavors and don't get discouraged!
557377
I know that nurses are in high demand in the United States.  So much so that they are pulling in up to 60,000 USD a year.  You can apply for these jobs online, at http://www.monster.com/  http://www.nursing-jobs.us/  http://www.maxhealth.com/forms/nursing/nursing_form.asp\n\nIf you are hell bent on Australia here are a few sites for there too.\nhttp://www.healthstaffrecruitment.com.au/index.php  http://www.nursefindersuk.com/australia/nursing-jobs.cfm  http://www.medhunters.com/nursing-jobs/aus.html
1061259
I will try to answer this question, but remember, I have only recently finished nursing school and will sit for boards next week.\n\nNursing is a committment. It is one that will make you give more of yourself than you ever knew you could. There are good days and bad days. It is so much more than dealing with sick people. You have the ability to actually make a difference in someones life. As a nurse you have the opportunity to play a role in the most vulnerable moments in people's lives. You can educate people on healt promotion, you could give patients support when they feel afraid or unsure about what's really going on. In nursing you will laugh and you will cry, but at the end of the day you will feel like you did meaningful work. You will be tired, but it is so rewarding.\n\nSchool is going to be challenging. It will be almost like working as a nurse, but you can step back and say let me get your nurse for you. That is until you last clinical rotation. In that moment, you are the nurse. Studying will take on a whole new meaning. And clinicals will be the moment that you get to practice being a nurse, with supervision of course.\n\nAs far as working, you will meet all types of nurses on the floor, some who were born to be nurses and others who are burnt out. Alot of it all depends on how you approach things. And don't let that discourage you. Nurses can work in all different areas. It is not just a blood and guts profession. Some nurses even get to work in regular clothes. You would be surprised the things that nurses do.\n\nI love being a nurse and I am sure that you will love it too. My best recommendation is to try a job as a patient care tech in a local hospital or nursing home and see how you do. Also check out the discover nursing website. Go for it! Get your bachelors.\n\nhttp://www.discovernursing.com/
289220
I earned bachelors and masters degrees from top level universities. i have yuppie 9-to-5 job at a large organization that is a big name in the field.\n\nmy sister got mediocre grades and earned a bachelor's degree from a no-name college. she makes about 10% more than me, but only works twice a week.\n\nshe's a NURSE.\n\nif you can get into a nursing program (they're kinda impacted in a lot of places) and you can handle the curriculum, then do it! You can make good money with just a 2 year degree. but if you do the 4 year, you make a WHOLE LOTTA MONEY, and you have more opportunites to advance your career.\n\nMed techs don't advance very easily and don't get paid as well. It's better to do med tech if you find that nursing is too rigorous.\n\nPT is only lucrative if you stay for a graduate level PT degree. otherwise, you never advance.
505603
You get an entry level job and get experience..
584033
Getting into any nursing school in the US right now is extremely competitive (even community colleges). If you don't have a high GPA, nursing school isn't an option. Perhaps you should look into becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant or Patient Care Technician. While working, perhaps retake some classes and repair your GPA. If the grades you got are the best you can do, nursing probably isn't a good match for you.
1081693
Alot of hospitals have programs where once your in the door you can bid on other jobs that are usally posted. if you have no degree they also offer different courses that will help you become more educated on jobs that you might be interested in. For starters you could apply for a job in housekeeping.or in the kitchen,or maybe in the cafeteria or gift shop. Once you get in your options already start to get better. They have alot of good payraises,benefit plans,dental,vacation .It's a good place to start good luck!
873396
Does being a knowledgable Registered Nurse count?  I'd be glad to TRY to at least turn you in the right direction.....
811868
How about starting in nursing school.\nwhat a concept.