Getting RN Experience After Graduation

Employers want RNs with experience, but few will give a new graduate the chance to get it. That catch-22 hits nursing especially hard. Experienced nurses who delay retirement keep positions filled, so openings for new grads do not appear as fast as you would expect. Do not get discouraged. There are concrete ways to build experience and stand out, and if you are still in school, the time to start is now.

How to stand out

1. Volunteer

Volunteering does not pay, but it can pay off. Working in a hospital or other facility gives you the hands-on experience many employers require, and if you have a specialty in mind, it lets you handle real scenarios and build the skills that go with it. It also puts you in front of nurses who can offer advice and connections. Get to know the nurse managers, since they often make hiring decisions and tend to favor people they have already trained or worked with.

2. Show off your nursing school accomplishments

Look back at what you did in school. A major research project, work with a respected professor, or a leadership role all give you an edge with employers. If you are still in school, take an active role in groups like the National Student Nurses' Association, or build a standout project for your resume.

3. Network

Networking may be the single most important tactic, and you can start before you graduate. The NSNA suggests contacting your school's alumni organization while you are still enrolled, since former students are a natural network. Attend conferences and career fairs, and keep your LinkedIn profile current.

4. Further your education

Graduates with a BSN or higher tend to have an easier time landing a job. If you have an associate degree, consider a BSN to improve your odds. If you already have a BSN, look at MSN programs. If going back to school is not realistic right now, shorter certificate programs can add specialized skills.

What else can I do?

Look for new-grad-friendly employers

Some facilities specifically hire new graduates, and many run new-grad residency programs built for exactly this stage. It may take searching to find them. If one offers a role that is not your dream job, stay open-minded; the experience can still move your career forward.

Take a nontraditional route

You may picture yourself in a fast-paced hospital, but so does most of the job market. The NSNA suggests looking beyond large acute-care settings for entry-level positions: rehabilitation facilities, school nursing, long-term care, and rural communities. Many of these offer some of the best early experience a new nurse can get.

Judy Honig, associate dean of student affairs at the Columbia University School of Nursing, told Forbes that nonhospital settings can make new RNs more resourceful. "You have to know your material, you have to know what nursing is in these settings," Honig said. "The nurse in a rural area may be the most educated health professional around."

Some days the search will feel impossible. Keep going. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects RN employment to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2034.