Finding and Interviewing for your First Nursing Job

There is little more exciting, and intimidating, than beginning the process of finding your first nursing job. Nursing school, while demanding, was a structured environment in which you were able to know your schedule, plan your life around school and go through your days secure in the knowledge that one day, you would be able to get a job in nursing. Now, that day has come, and it is time to prove to yourself and others that all of the time and sacrifices you made while in nursing school can and will pay off.

Potential nurses can use various resources to locate open positions within hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities. Word-of-mouth job openings, online advertisements and job boards, nurse staffing companies or even want ads in papers can help you find out where to apply, as well as the specific job requirements and description for each job. If you are currently in nursing school, pursuing a degree such as a Masters in Nursing, you can gain experience and build your resume as you learn by talking to head nurses and getting to know other hospital staff that may, in turn, provide you with professional references and any information about future job openings.



When interviewing for a nursing position, always be prepared and do your research when it comes to the type of job you will be doing, as well as the medical facility that has a nursing job opening. Since nursing jobs can vary depending on the skill level, education and experience required for the job, be sure that your own skills, education and experience match well with the needs of the job. Many medical facilities or offices can be researched and may even have certain accolades or credits to their name. Knowing ahead of time that a potential employer may have been awarded an honor or is a specifically recommended practice for a condition can help make a lasting impression during the interview. Be sure to state your own intentions with the job, especially your own career aspirations, to ensure that you are serious about the job in question. Be prepared, as well, to answer standard interview questions like, “tell me more about yourself,” “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” or “what is your most significant achievement?”

Acquiring your first job as a nurse can be a frustrating and exciting time. It is your chance to move out of the educational environment and into the career field that you have been aiming to join while learning your trade. By being prepared and researching the job and other considerations that come with a new career in nursing, you have the ability to stand out from other applicants and can have an easier time attaining the nursing career you have always dreamed of.

Labels: Interviewing, Masters in Nursing, Nursing Career, Nursing Jobs