For the New Grad

The Job Hunt

Looking for a job can sometimes feel like a full-time job in and of itself. Utilizing your network was one thing that I found to be helpful. I engaged with alumni on LinkedIn and asked my clinical professors about leads. Perhaps the most profitable source of opportunities is word-of-mouth. It is crucial to consider local nursing associations and various Facebook groups when searching for new nursing jobs. When you are looking at job advertisements, it is important to consider more than just the salary. Be mindful of the available training program, the unit's staffing, nurse-to-patient ratio, benefits, education opportunities, employee resources, and reviews by current employees. Use your experiences in clinicals to help you decide what kind of nursing you're interested in, but remember that getting a specialty nursing job right out of school is difficult. I always recommend starting with a medical-surgical unit because you see and learn so much. Large hospitals and teaching hospitals are also great sources of education and new nurse support. Consider a place with the Magnet Status awarded. These are job sites with significant resources for nurses, making it a "magnet" for new hires. This is an official designation hospitals apply to receive. A quick Google search will help you find them!

Acing the Interview

People frequently experience anxiety during interviews, especially if it's their first time doing one for a job. I practiced talking about my clinical rotations and the lessons I learned from them in the days before my interviews. Consider a storytelling approach, emphasizing how you handled a difficult patient situation or how you remained composed in the face of a panicked code in clinicals (just remember not to share patient protected info!). I did everything I could to prepare a story or example for scenario-based questions, which is something that clinical teachers constantly reminded us to do. I arrived a few minutes early and dressed professionally in anticipation of the big day. I made it a point to speak honestly and passionately throughout the interview. I shared a candid story from my nursing school days in response to one of the interviewers' questions about how I handle mistakes. She appreciated my efforts to improve and the way I had matured as a result of a mistake. Be honest; no one expects you to know everything and be perfect right out of school.

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​It is acceptable to be a novice nurse to the interviewers because they are aware that you won't know all the answers. For them, the attitude and eagerness to learn are often just as crucial as the technical skills they are looking for. I made sure to prepare a few questions about the team and the training process before each interview. In addition to giving me helpful information, my inquiry about the mentorship program and nurse-to-patient ratio showed that I had done my homework and was curious about the role. I felt that I had shown my true self and learned about the possible workplace as the interview was coming to an end.

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Be prepared for the interviewer to "test" you. A couple interviews involved asking me a "What would you do" sort of question for a hypothetical scenario. These should be pretty basic scenarios you'll be ready for if you passed the NCLEX, so don't panic! No nurses come out of school knowing everything. In fact, I would say the majority of my nursing knowledge came from working in the field. 

Mentorship and Support on the Job

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I've learned from experience that starting your first nursing job is like being thrown into the deep end of the pool. That's how I felt, anyway. Fortunately for us, most hospitals recognize this and offer mentorship or preceptorship programs to newly licensed nurses. Typically, an experienced nurse is assigned to each newly graduated nurse during orientation. They serve as your guide and help you get through that first orientation period. A good mentor is patient and answers questions without judgment, builds up the new nurse, gives honest feedback at the end of each shift, and progressively gives the new nurse more control. If your preceptor is ignoring you, teaching you incorrect things, not giving you the opportunity to try things, consider giving your supervisor feedback. Don't let the opportunity to have a good preceptor or mentor go to waste. Ask questions, take notes, and don't shy away from opportunities to observe or try things!

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There are many informal mentors, even outside of the formal programs. After your first code blue, when everything seems to have gone wrong, it could be the charge nurse who takes the time to show you a protocol chart or a co-worker who interrupts you in the break room to lift your spirits. Enroll in the mentoring program offered by your hospital if it exists. Engage in conversations with nursing school classmates who are now entering the field or attend meet-ups for recently graduated nurses. Having a support system can help you feel less alone during those 12-hour shifts. Additionally, remember that mentors are still necessary for even the most seasoned nurses. We all start as beginners, and before you know it, you may be mentoring the next new member of your unit.

Managing New Grad Stress and Imposter Syndrome

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When I first began working as a nurse, I understood that self-doubt and worry would eventually arise. This was the most significant realization I encountered. There would be a steep learning curve. During my first time on the floor, I was careful to record and double-check the IV lines, certain that I had overlooked something. Almost all nurses will experience what is known as "imposter syndrome" at some point in their careers, which is the feeling that they are not knowledgeable enough to be a nurse. I tried various strategies to reduce the anxiety I felt. I found a meditation app that helped calm my mind for a few minutes before bed, even just by sitting on the couch and taking deep breaths.

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Talking to a friend about the situation was also beneficial. I vented my frustrations to my nursing school study partner during a particularly trying week. I reminded her of the time I attended to a child's emotional needs after surgery, and she related a story about how, as a recent graduate, she had successfully saved the life of a patient. In that circumstance, we laughed about how genuinely perplexed and overwhelmed we were. It was comforting to know that we both ended up being alright. You should also permit yourself to start at the beginning. Learning new machines, procedures, and languages takes a lot of effort. The smallest achievements, like the first time you oversee a new patient admission by yourself or the first time you record fluid balances without consulting your notebook, should be acknowledged and valued. We usually forget to take a moment to acknowledge our progress in the here and now.

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Let me conclude by saying that you should never be afraid to ask questions. If in doubt, seek advice from a nurse or a physician; even better, write down your questions during your free time. Since this is all new, asking questions is essential. In fact, seasoned nurses tend to value those who are lifelong learners. Eventually, you will incorporate the things that seem impossible now into your daily routine. Recognize that stress can arise from sources other than work, and be kind to yourself when you have time off. Ultimately, starting a nursing career is one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, despite the challenges it presents. You will learn that, with the right support, preparation, and a bit of self-compassion, you can become an amazing nurse one shift at a time.