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What are common nursing positions that nursing students land after graduation?
Hi, I’m currently an undergraduate student (Freshman) majoring in nursing! It seems as though all the entry level positions require at least some amount of experience and I’m not quite sure if I will be able to get that in college.
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4 answers
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Martin’s Answer
Most RN graduates start in hospital jobs, often in med/surg. However, those with relevant experience, like working in the ED in another role, might qualify for different positions.
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Maureen’s Answer
Jiaxin Hey,
I'm glad you asked this question! My first recommendation is taking a part-time nursing assistant or RCT position while you're in nursing school. I worked in a large Chicago teaching medical center as a nursing assistant in the ED during the night shift. The nurses were more than happy to teach me anything and everything RN related. I saw and performed many skills that the nurses supervised during patient encounters. The nurses loved to quiz me on what the patient diagnoses was and the medical interventions that were needed for that patient encounter. I worked there my three years in nursing school. I was then able to interview and obtain a nursing position in that very same ED. My dream job!
Working while in nursing school increases your ability to obtain jobs outside the "new graduate" job pool. Many hospitals and clinics have RN internship programs which can get you involved in many specialties to see where you are best suited. I currently work at a suburban VA which offers such a program.
I hope this helps, good luck with your preliminary classes and your clinicals.
I'm glad you asked this question! My first recommendation is taking a part-time nursing assistant or RCT position while you're in nursing school. I worked in a large Chicago teaching medical center as a nursing assistant in the ED during the night shift. The nurses were more than happy to teach me anything and everything RN related. I saw and performed many skills that the nurses supervised during patient encounters. The nurses loved to quiz me on what the patient diagnoses was and the medical interventions that were needed for that patient encounter. I worked there my three years in nursing school. I was then able to interview and obtain a nursing position in that very same ED. My dream job!
Working while in nursing school increases your ability to obtain jobs outside the "new graduate" job pool. Many hospitals and clinics have RN internship programs which can get you involved in many specialties to see where you are best suited. I currently work at a suburban VA which offers such a program.
I hope this helps, good luck with your preliminary classes and your clinicals.
Updated
Althea’s Answer
Hey Jiaxin, this is a really good question!!! I’m glad you’re thinking ahead!
I would suggest working as a CNA or PCT and try to work in different areas, or on different units and talk with the nurses and try to get to shadow them to listen and see how they interact with patients and what their work entails.
Also if you’re unable to work, if you’re able to volunteer at a hospital you can ask out volunteering on the different units and see if you can get to observe cases in the OR, to see which areas you might like best! Pick a hospital that is your top choice that you’d like to work at when you’re an RN that way you’ll already have rapport with them and may have a better chance of selecting whichever unit you’d like to go to.
You can also look at hospitals with graduate nurse programs, and train on various units to get a feel of which one/s you like best!
Hope this helps!
I would suggest working as a CNA or PCT and try to work in different areas, or on different units and talk with the nurses and try to get to shadow them to listen and see how they interact with patients and what their work entails.
Also if you’re unable to work, if you’re able to volunteer at a hospital you can ask out volunteering on the different units and see if you can get to observe cases in the OR, to see which areas you might like best! Pick a hospital that is your top choice that you’d like to work at when you’re an RN that way you’ll already have rapport with them and may have a better chance of selecting whichever unit you’d like to go to.
You can also look at hospitals with graduate nurse programs, and train on various units to get a feel of which one/s you like best!
Hope this helps!
Updated
Aaron’s Answer
Started off in Operating Room, but a lot of my classmates ended up in Med-Surg. It's tough, but great experience if you ever want to branch out.