First RN Job, Strong CV: A Practical Playbook for New Nurses

Looking for your first registered nurse (RN) job? This can be an exciting time as you will be keen to start nursing and making a positive difference, but landing your first job can be challenging and daunting. It is true that demand for nursing is growing, but it remains a competitive field, and healthcare employers will always be seeking the best. With this in mind, this post will act as a practical playbook for new nurses and show you how you can find your first RN job and embark on a rewarding, interesting, and lucrative career. Interested? Let’s get started.

Online Nursing Programs

Of course, the first step to getting an RN job is getting qualified. These days, you do not always have to sign up to the traditional four-year BSN program if you have a bachelor’s degree in another field. The accelerated BSN builds on previous coursework, enabling you to complete the program in just one or two years - this makes an online ABSN program a great option for those changing careers. Check out this post on how to get a nursing job to find out more about getting qualified.

Gain Practical Experience

Nothing truly prepares you for life as a nurse more than experience on the hospital floor. This is why you should try to gain as much practical experience as possible, which will help you develop the skills and confidence required to succeed. You will participate in supervised patient care during your nursing program, but you might be able to gain further experience by volunteering and / or internships in healthcare settings. Practical experience will always stand out to employers and will also help you start to build your professional network - more on this to come.

Build a Strong CV

As with any job search, a strong CV will be the foundation, as this is the first impression you will make on potential employers. You need a high-quality CV that lays out key information in a clear, easy-to-read format - there are useful services online (such as this website!) that can help with this. For RNs, you need to highlight your clinical experience, internships, and specialized training. Additionally, ensure that you tailor your CV to each job application by incorporating keywords from the job description to demonstrate your suitability. 

Work On Your Soft Skills

Of course, a career in nursing requires technical skills and knowledge, but you should not overlook the importance of soft skills. Nursing is a role that is built upon soft skills, so you need to work on these if you have any weaknesses. A few of the main soft skills required in nursing include:

• Active listening
• Verbal communication
• Written communication
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Time-management
• Critical thinking
• Empathy
• Adaptability
• Attention to detail
• Conflict resolution
• Emotional resilience
• Ethical judgment
• Cultural competence

Grow Your Network

Much like any career field, having a large professional network can pay dividends. This is why it is smart to start growing your network as early on in your journey as possible and to make a concerted effort to grow this network over time by attending industry events and joining online communities. Platforms like LinkedIn are ideal for both growing and maintaining your network over time. Do not shy away from asking for advice, support, or career opportunities from those in your network - just be willing to return the favor one day!

Prepare for the Interview

Preparation is key to success when it comes to interviewing. This is beneficial in both helping you prepare for questions and reducing anxiety. Of course, every interview will be different, but there are common questions that you are likely to face, including those on clinical scenarios, teamwork, and patient care, as well as the generic questions people face in most interviews. Be sure to prepare answers to these questions, dress smartly, arrive with plenty of time to spare, and be friendly yet professional. Additionally, do not become despondent if you are not offered a job; you will often be competing against many other people, and every interview is a valuable learning opportunity. This is why you should always seek feedback after the interview. 

Landing your first job as an RN can be challenging, but the information in this post should be useful. Hopefully, this post will help you find a rewarding role and put you on the pathway to a rewarding, engaging, and lucrative career in nursing. Now is a great time to enter the field of nursing, with demand expected to grow in the coming years, but you need to know how to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate your suitability for the role.