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Your first year as a registered nurse is challenging. This podcast is hosted by Kati Kleber, BSN RN CCRN and Elizabeth Mills, BSN RN CCRN and features experienced nurses from FreshRN.com, who discuss the basics of that first year. From nursing orientation, code blues, tricks of the trade, and personal experiences, to time management, delegation, patient deaths, and more.

Download the Season 2, Episode 007 show notes or view them below

Tips for New Grad Nurses on Resumes, Applications, and Interviews

Show Notes

This episode covers the essential aspects of landing a job and gives practical tips for new grad nurse on resumes, applications, and interviews. All three of the hosts have experience interviewing new graduates and we give you our insider tips on the process.

Resumes

• Perfect, no typographical errors
• Don’t put all of your clinical experience
  • Put things that are relevant to this job
• Put people other than your clinical instructors; nurses on the unit, MD’s, manager
  • Get a team of cheerleaders – people who will vouch for you
• Networking begins in nursing school
  • Make a good impression EVERYWHERE
• Don’t think only clinical people can write resumes
  • Volunteers, administrators, administrative assistants, leadership

Applications

• Don’t wait until graduation to apply
  • Do this way before graduation
  • Look at the websites of prospective facilities
• HR departments are slow
  • Give it a few weeks before calling about the status of an application
  • Many won’t even let you call them; they just update online portals
• Video interview tips
  • Don’t look at the floor
  • Look at what’s behind you – remember they are seeing that!
  • Don’t wait until the last day

Interviews

• First impression begins with scheduling the interview
  • Don’t be difficult to schedule because it looks bad
• Look up information on the facility, work into the conversation
• Questions beforehand
  • Go over them at home, with others – even if it looks silly!
• Strike the balance between confident and cocky
• Handwritten thank you note post interview – looks awesome
• Make sure you’re speaking positively about yourself and not negatively about others to make yourself to look good

More resources

• Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job by Beth Hawks, MSN RN-BC
• Nursing Interview Questions and Answers – FreshRN blog
• Uncensored Thoughts of a Nurse Interviewer: From Inside the Interview Room – Nurse Code blog

Get Hired Every Time: Job Interview Tips for the New or Seasoned Nurse: A quick guide to nursing job interview success!Cracking the Nursing InterviewAnatomy of a Super Nurse: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming NurseyYou’re Hired! A Nurse’s Guide to Success in Today’s Job Market