The Days When I'm Not a Nurse

Nurses Week Day 2: WhiteCoat Clipboard Giveaway & How to Get a Nursing Job

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On the second day of Nurses Week, I give to you TWO WhiteCoat Clipboards from MDpocket!

May 7 2014

I just did a product review for this company (read that post here) and in collaborating with them, they offered to give away 2 of their nursing clipboards! I have a white one and a silver one (I had to go generic since this prize could go to anybody!)

Also! Use the code NURWK14 for 25% off your purchase! You will have to FIRST be logged in onto an MDpocket user profile for the code to verify. This code expires 5/12/14.

If you procrastinate (no judging), I have another code that is good through 5/14/14: AMONW14 will get you 15% off at checkout. Again, you’ll need a user profile before the code will work.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Paige and I do these monthly link ups where we blog about nursey things. And we welcome all you nurse and student nurse bloggers to join us! The more the merrier. :) 
Here are my suggestions to help the average nursing student get a job in the nursing field (after you’ve gone to nursing school and passed your boards, of course).
1. Get some sort of medical experience. 
Be a CNA. Volunteer in a hospital, a clinic, or a nursing home. Or start shadowing people in the medical profession! Just start exposing yourself to where you will end up someday. 

2. Bulk up the resume (with medical related things if possible).
If you’re sitting around waiting to hear back after you’ve applied somewhere, take that time to be proactive. You can go ahead and get certification in things you’ll need once you DO land the job. Go get your CPR and ACLS certification! Yes, most employees will pay you to do that training after you’re hired, but it shows you take initiative and looks good on the resume to show you’re already certified. Add whatever medical experience you got in #1 and add it to the resume. 

3. Connections. 
When I switched jobs to my current one, it was an in-house transfer. It really helped that I was acquainted with the manager and that my old co-worker was working down on that unit. Thanks to her, the manager was told when my application had been submitted to HR and therefore knew when to start bugging them about getting my interview set up. Same thing works for outside the hospital: it helps if you know people on the inside who can talk to the right people. Make connections while you’re doing clinicals or during your preceptorship. 

4. Follow up.
Our HR is notorious for taking a while to respond after an application is submitted. Call them and keep following up! They’re busy people and it’s ok to let them know that you’re waiting to hear from them. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Just be professional about it. 

5. Interview well. 
My mom taught me to send a thank you note to my interviewer the same day you’re interviewed. Like a hand written, snail mail, personal thank you note. It’s amazing how a simple gesture like this can leave a lasting impression. Also, take time to look up “most popular interview questions” online and do some research! Have good answers ready for those questions because they will be used. 

Good luck on the job hunt, all you new grads!

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Related posts:

c600x596-300x2981Nurses Week Day 4: Name Badge Giveaway! c600x594-300x2971Nurses Week 2014: CharMED stethoscope bling giveaway! c600x600-300x3001Nurses Week Day 5 & 6- another giveaway! c600x598-300x3001Nurses Week Day 7: Dansko Shoe Giveaway & Florence’s Birthday!

Comments

  1. I think I did most of those! I would also echo something my nursing school adviser told me–to treat my senior practicum like an extended job interview. (In this case, it’ll be a two-term one, which is a long “interview”!)

    Blog post comment for the giveaway – Does the rubber band thing count as something that I’d use? LOL (I just have to buy a clipboard first… and find cargo pants that the clipboard would fit into…)

  2. I think I did most of those! I would also echo something my nursing school adviser told me–to treat my senior practicum like an extended job interview. (In this case, it’ll be a two-term one, which is a long “interview”!)

    Blog post comment for the giveaway – Does the rubber band thing count as something that I’d use? LOL (I just have to buy a clipboard first… and find cargo pants that the clipboard would fit into…)

  3. This is great advice that I will be taking with me as I start my journey. Thanks!

    I really have been eyeing the clipboard for nursing school. I also could see myself using the nurse packs. Those looks like they would be convenient for clinicals.

  5. Great post! Those are key to finding a job! I started volunteering in hope to find some connections as well! Kill two birds with one stone.

    I’m glad I ran into this blog! I start nursing school this fall and I was looking for reviews about this clipboard. I would love to use this clipboard! I also love the wrap around band, pen holder, and their easy reference nursing books too.