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DiversityNursing Blog

New kids on the block: DC/Maryland/Virginia RNs share thoughts on nursing

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Mon, May 19, 2014 @ 03:05 PM

To mark National Nurses Week, we asked new RNs about what every nurse needs to succeed. Five nurses from the DC/Maryland/Virginia region, all with two years or less of experience, answered the following question: What qualities or characteristics are most important to possess as a nurse, and why? 

Hannah Hanscom, RN, BSN, CPN, clinical nurse, surgical care unit, Children’s National Health System, Washington, D.C.

As a pediatric nurse, I believe there is no one quality or characteristic that is most importanthannah resized 600 to being a nurse. Nurses must be passionate about caring for children and their families and be able to think critically and on their feet. But we also must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with the family, patient and interdisciplinary team. We must be compassionate and able to stay calm when escalating care is needed. Although there is no one quality or characteristic that is most important for nursing, having a passion for the field, for caring for those in need, for educating others and for continuing your own education ties all the other qualities together. Nursing is not just a job or a career. Being a pediatric nurse is in many ways a calling; it is something that comes from the heart and is a lifestyle you must be passionate about. 

Shannon Levin, RN, med/surg unit, Novant Health Haymarket Medical Center, Gainesville, Va.

shannon resized 600Nursing is more complex than ever. Nurses are managing new technologies, constant advances in best practices and more and more patients with multiple morbidities. Nurses must be organized multitaskers, with quick critical thinking skills. But a nurse who possesses empathy for his or her patients is the best kind of nurse. Nurses with genuine empathy understand that we often see patients and their families at one of the most difficult times. Most of our patients are experiencing some level of physical and emotional pain and often feel anxious and fearful about their hospitalization. An empathic nurse cares enough to identify and understand his or her patient’s feelings. The nurse listens to his or her patient’s medical history and current symptoms and eases his or her fear by explaining the need for hospitalization, the plan of care and ordered procedures. These actions help build trust and ultimately are the foundation of a successful nurse-patient bond and remarkable care. 

Rachel Nugent, RN, emergency department, Carroll Hospital Center, Westminster, Md.

rachel resized 600 It takes many characteristics to be a nurse. I believe the most important characteristics to possess are empathy, compassion, hope, patience and good communication skills. Being empathetic for patients and also for their families shows true compassion. Nurses must give patients a sense of hope when they may be at the lowest point in their lives. Nurses smile, and with that smile, a positive perception is given to patients and their families. Patience with not only yourself, but with patients, family members, doctors and coworkers is a must. Nurses must know when to speak up for themselves or their patients and when to intervene - especially when they suspect something may be wrong. Nurses advocate for their patients when they are in dire need. And, finally, one of the most important parts of communication is that nurses must always be great listeners, even after a long 12 hour shift. 

Brooke Schautz, RN, emergency department, MedStar Harbor Hospital, Baltimore

brooke resized 600To be successful, flexibility is the single most important attribute a nurse should have. Throughout nursing school you are taught many skills to prepare you. However, there are some things that cannot be taught, yet are essential to becoming a nurse. As with most things in life, having the right balance is equally as important. Being flexible, yet having the ability to stay focused, is critical to ensure you are providing excellent care to your patients. 

Mandy Ward, RN, emergency services, Novant Health Prince William Medical Center, Manassas, Va.

mandy resized 600 There are quite a few qualities that are important to possess as a nurse, but I would have tosay the most important one would be compassion. Compassion is listening to a patient, showing him or her sincere concern, being kind and showing empathy. 
Our patients look to us to help them when they are most vulnerable. It is up to us to help them when they need it, and we can start by showing them compassion and that we truly care about them. Compassion alone isn’t enough; but, by showing compassion, it makes a big difference for those that we take care of. 

Source: Nurse.com

Topics: success, qualities, characteristics, what makes a great nurse, nurse

Mazvita Ethel Simoyi: Nursing experience paid off in medical school

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Mon, May 19, 2014 @ 02:28 PM

By Eric Swensen

While 12-hour weekend shifts for nurses are typical, it’s not common to do it while alsoMazvita Ethel Simoyi: Nursing experience paid off in medical school attending medical school full-time. But that’s what Mazvita Ethel Simoyi did during her first year at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, commuting every weekend to a hospital in Washington, D.C. to help pay for her education.

Now set to earn her M.D. degree from UVA this month, Simoyi laughed when asked how she endured the relentless schedule of work, schoolwork and commuting.

“I honestly do not know how I did it,” she said. “Necessity makes you rise to the occasion.”

Working Toward a Lifelong Dream

Simoyi knew she wanted to be a doctor from the time she was 5 or 6, when her father, Dr. Mike Simoyi, a general practitioner in Zimbabwe, brought her to his clinic to observe a tubal ligation. “I stood on a stool in the operating room, looking at him make the incision,” she said.

As she got older, she helped direct patients at the clinic where her father worked with her mother Regina, a nurse. The time she spent there deepened her commitment to medicine.

“The patients [at my parents’ clinic] are very, very grateful for the help they receive,” she said. “My father is also very involved in public health, and educating people at a time when HIV and AIDS was beginning to get a lot of attention. That’s why I wanted to be a doctor – so I could help people and share my knowledge with them.”

To continue her path toward becoming a doctor, Simoyi came to the U.S. from Zimbabwe at age 17 to attend college. After beginning as a biology/pre-med major at Butler University, she transferred to Howard University in Washington, D.C., earning a nursing degree in 2007. She went into nursing so she could earn a living while taking the remaining pre-requisite classes for medical school and “ensure that medicine was 100 percent what I wanted to do.”

After three years working as a nurse, she entered UVA’s School of Medicine in 2010. But she wasn’t quite done with nursing.

Full-Time Medical Student, Part-Time Nurse

During her first year as a med student, Simoyi worked weekends on a medical/surgical/oncology inpatient unit at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. She would leave Charlottesville around 5 p.m. Thursday or Friday for Washington, staying with her sister Nyasha or friends from Howard University when she wasn’t at work. She would return to Charlottesville around midnight Sunday to get some sleep before waking up at 7 a.m. Monday to begin another week of med school classes.

During her second year as a medical student, she worked part-time in Charlottesville as a hospice nurse. She continued working as a nurse until November 2012, when she was no longer able to work weekends due to her medical school clerkship.

“Time management was what really saved me,” she said.

Her commitment both to her education and her jobs impressed her classmates and faculty. “I was blown away by her work ethic,” said Chad Lane, a member of her medical school class.

As a part-time pharmacist during his time in medical school, Simoyi’s residency adviser, Dr. Shawn Pelletier, knows firsthand how tough her balancing act was. “It’s a lot of work,” he said. “While other people are studying or relaxing, you’re spending time working to pay tuition.”

The intelligent way Simoyi approached her dual responsibilities helped her do both successfully, said her adviser, Dr. Christine Peterson. “She knew exactly what she wanted to do. She’s very grounded and very realistic,” Peterson said. “She found nursing jobs that would mesh with the enormous amount of hours required for her studies.”

Simoyi also believes the extra hours she put in as a nurse helped with her medical school class work. “When I was reading information from a textbook, I could translate it to my patients. It helped solidify the concepts because I could apply it right away instead of waiting two years [to begin my clerkship],” she said.

When Simoyi did a four-week rotation in transplant surgery with Pelletier, he saw that “she already had the textbook answers, had digested that and had moved onto the next step.” In some cases, the only reply Pelletier had to her questions was: “That’s a good question – we’re trying to figure out the answer to that.”

While her nursing work left her less time to spend outside of class with her fellow students, Simoyi said she very much enjoyed her time at UVA. Her classmates were very welcoming and inclusive, and she appreciated that she was part of a large group of students who had taken non-traditional journeys to medical school.

“I was happy to see how many people had taken different paths, like IT and working as financial advisers,” she said.

Giving Back to Zimbabwe

This summer, Simoyi will begin a surgical residency at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. She chose surgery because she likes to work with her hands, figure out what’s wrong with a patient and quickly see results.

“You fix an artery, and you get to see the effects of your work immediately,” she said.

While she’s not sure whether she will end up practicing medicine in the U.S. or Zimbabwe, Simoyi definitely wants to give back to Zimbabwe. “I want to have some impact in Zimbabwe, even if I’m not there physically. I want to do something to make health care better, either in education or through standards of care for patients.”

Her classmates and teacher believe she is primed to succeed in whatever challenge she takes on next.

“Surgery is physically demanding and it requires mental toughness,” classmate Pranay Sinha said. “You have to be tough to go through what she has gone through.”

Source: University of Virigina Health System

Topics: University of Virginia, Mazvita Ethel Simoyi, medical school, hard work, dedication, nursing

Forensic Nursing: C.S.I. Meets E.R.

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Mon, May 19, 2014 @ 11:57 AM

Forensic Nursing
Source: BestMasterofScienceinNursing.com

Topics: forensics, legal systems, forensic nursing, nursing, health

The Modern Nurse

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Wed, May 07, 2014 @ 12:07 PM

The Modern Nurse Infographic

© 2014 Travel Nurse Source

Topics: modern nurse, diversity, infographic

American Nurses Association Celebrates National Nurses Week; 1.1 Million More RNs Needed

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Wed, May 07, 2014 @ 11:19 AM

Source: Digital Journal

National Nurses Week traditionally is a time to recognize the crucial contributions registered nurses (RN) make to individuals' health and the U.S. health care system; this year, it's also a time to sound a note of urgency about the future, as projections signal the need to fill about 1.1 million RN jobs by 2022.

The 2014 National Nurses Week theme is "Nurses: Leading the Way," emphasizing nurses' roles in improving the quality of health care; participating as key members of collaborative, performance-based health care teams; and continually advocating to ensure patients remain the focal point of health care. National Nurses Week takes place May 6-12, ending on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

"All nurses are leaders, whether they are in direct patient care, administrative roles, or meeting consumers' needs in new roles such as care coordinators or wellness coaches," said ANA President Karen A. Daley, PhD, RN, FAAN. "This week, we acknowledge nurses' vast contributions, as well as the need to develop the nursing workforce to meet our growing needs and improve the health of the nation."

As nurses assume more leadership roles in a system that is transforming its focus to emphasize primary care, prevention, wellness, chronic disease management, and coordination of care, a confluence of factors is driving the need for a huge increase in the number of RNs. About 11 million individuals have gained better access to health care through private health insurance marketplaces and the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act; Baby Boomers are projected to swell Medicare rolls by 50 percent by 2025; and 53 percent of nurses are over age 50 and nearing retirement, according to a National Council of State Boards of Nursing survey.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 1.1 million jobs for nurses between 2012 and 2022 – more than 500,000 each for newly created jobs and replacements for retiring nurses. Registered nurse is ranked second in projected new job growth among all occupations from 2012 to 2022, with 527,000 new jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To achieve that level of growth, ANA recommends four actions: 

  • Increase funding for federal Nursing Workforce Development Programs (known as Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, which marks its 50th anniversary this year). Funding generally has stayed level in recent years for these programs that assist in educating, training, and placing new nurses in areas of need.
  • Recruit more nursing professors and increase incentives. Nursing faculty salaries generally are lower than what many faculty members could earn in clinical practice (an average of $68,640 compared to more than $91,000 for nurse practitioners). Many nursing professors also are nearing retirement age – nearly 3 of 4 are over age 50 – and will need to be replaced.
  • Ensure an adequate number of clinical training sites so nursing students can fulfill educational requirements.
  • Encourage hospitals and other employers to hire new nursing graduates now to benefit from mentoring from experienced RNs, and to mitigate the impact of the projected exodus of seasoned RNs in the coming years.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/05/prweb11820230.htm

Topics: jobs, National Nurses Week, growth, leadership

Leading the Way: Nurses recognized for improving health care

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Wed, May 07, 2014 @ 11:10 AM

By KAYLEIGH SOMMER

Wherever health care is provided, a nurse is likely to be there.

Nurses_Lizeth_Martinez-DP-1.jpgTuesday marks the start of National Nurses Week, an annual opportunity for communities to recognize the full range of nurses’ contributions. This year’s theme, “Nurses: Leading the Way,” recognizes nurses as leaders in the field.

Nurses are being honored as leaders who improve the quality of health care. Nurses practice in diverse roles, such as clinicians, administrators, researchers, educators and policymakers.

Lizeth Martinez, a registered nurse at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, said every nurse is different.

“We each have our scope of practice and me, personally, I always try to be there for my patients,” Martinez said. “From what I have seen I am very fortunate to work with the people that I do.”

Martinez, who was born and raised in Brownsville, is currently working on a graduate degree in nursing at the University of Texas at Brownsville and should be finished by next year.

She said that in the two and half years that she’s been a nurse she has gained a lot of experience.

“I love being a nurse,” Martinez said. “As nurses we care in a different way, in a compassionate and holistic manner promoting health and healing.”

However, being a nurse is not without its challenges, said Martinez, who mainly works with wound care and diabetes patients.

“I think the most challenging thing about being a nurse is the emotional aspect because we see a lot of patients that are chronically ill,” Martinez said.

Garett Byrd, a pediatric registered nurse at Harlingen Medical Center, has worked in the nursing field for nine years.

Byrd, whose parents were nurses, said the profession has changed a lot during that time.

“Over the years I’ve noticed an increase in accountability and technology,” Byrd said. “The nursing profession has moved towards a more evidenced based practice. Were not doing things just to do them, were researching and going by the research.”

He said the community should keep one thing in mind.

“The community needs to remember that we’re human beings too, and we’re here because we care,” Byrd said.

Both Martinez and Byrd said nurses are leaders in the health profession.

“I think we are leaders. The profession is so amazing because there are so many things you can do, so many fields you can go into,” Martinez said.

“As nurses were able to provide and coordinate care and think those aspects of leadership position.”

Karen A. Daley, president of the American Nurses Association, agrees.Nurses_Garett_Byrd_DSC05075.jpg

“All nurses are leaders, whether they are in direct patient care, administrative roles or meeting consumers’ needs in new roles such as care coordinators or wellness coaches,” Daley said.

“This week, we acknowledge nurses’ vast contributions and how they are leading the way in improving health care and ultimately, the health of the nation.”

Nurses are leading initiatives to increase access to care and improve outcomes by focusing on primary care, prevention, wellness, chronic disease management and the coordination of care among health care providers and settings.

These are areas in which nurses excel given their education and experience, the ANA said.

According to the ANA, nursing is the nation’s largest health care profession, with nearly 3 million employed professionals and is projected to grow faster than all other occupations.

The federal government projects that more than 1 million new registered nurses will be needed by 2022 to fill new jobs and replace nurses who leave the profession.

Demand for nursing care will grow rapidly as Baby Boomers swell Medicare enrollment by 50 percent by 2025 and millions of individuals obtain new or better access to care under the health care reform law, the ANA said.

Source: Valley Morning Star 

Topics: National Nurses Week, healthcare, nurses, improve

Five Ways to Thank a Nurse on National Nurses Day

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Wed, May 07, 2014 @ 11:05 AM

National Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 6th to raise awareness of the important role nurses play in society. This day also marks the beginning of National Nurses Week, which ends on May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Nightingale is considered the founder of professional nursing due to her pioneering work during the Crimean War of 1853-1856 and her establishment of the first secular nursing school in London.

Here are five ways to say 'thank you' to a nurse who has touched you or a loved one this year:

  1. Say it with caffeine: Nurses work long and late hours. A gift card to a coffee shop is a practical and much appreciated token of thanks.
  2. Say it out loud, Facebook style: Consider a big social media shout-out on your Facebook page. Tag your nurse friends, but make it public to all.
  3. Say it with soles: On their feet for long shifts, the quest for the perfect pair of nursing shoes can be eased with a gift certificate to a local or online nursing supply store.
  4. Say it with a letter: Handwritten thank-you notes are still an excellent way to share your feelings and boost the recipient's day.
  5. Say it with food: Every workplace enjoys a thoughtful basket of food from a grateful customer. Just make sure to include enough for the team.
Source: PR Newswire

Topics: National Nurses Day, appreciation, thank you

What is the Priority?

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Fri, May 02, 2014 @ 11:29 AM

By Teresia Odessey of Bloomfield College

As a nursing student, I have had the privilege of observing many nurses in different units; pediatrics, maternity, the burn unit, hospice, medical surgical, ICU, CCU, wound rounds, and psychiatry. I’ve realized from these experiences that school nurses are by far the most unappreciated and de-valued. As I gathered information on the role of school nurses, and shadowed an elementary school nurse for my senior capstone project, I discovered the challenges faced by school nurses. 

Contrary to popular belief, the school nurse’s role is critical to the well-being of students’ health and academic achievements. The scope of practice for the school nurse includes supervision of school health policies and procedures; promotion of health education; health services; competence of interventions; facilitation of health care screenings; making referrals to other healthcare providers; patient advocacy and maintenance of the appropriate environment to promote health. This role requires the nurse to be knowledgeable and competent in various skills and interventions. School nurses provide care, support and teaching for diabetes, asthma, allergies, seizures, obesity, mental health, and immunizations to all students (Beshears & Ermer, 2013).  The role of the school nurse as defined by the National Association of School Nurses is as follows: “a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success and lifelong achievement and health of students” (Board, Bushmiaer, Davis-Alldritt, Fekaris, Morgitan, Murphy &Yow, 2011). 

Clearly, it is not just about Band-Aids and ice packs but still 25% of US schools have no nurse present and 16% of students have a medical condition that warrants a skilled professional (Taliaferro, 2008).  One in every 400 children under 20 years is diagnosed with diabetes; 10% of students nationwide have asthma; prevalence of school allergies have increased drastically; 45,000 students are diagnosed with seizures each year; obesity rate has tripled among children 6 to 11 years, and more than tripled for children 12 to 19; and one in five students have mental health issues (Beshears & Ermer, 2013).  

Despite having laws allowing disabled children to attend school, increasing the workload on the nurses, there are no laws that mandate a nurse to student ratio. The national recommendation for nurse to student ratio is 1:750 but on average some nurses are responsible for up to 4,000 students (Resha, 2010). Nwabuzor (2007) mentioned that parents and stakeholders cannot truly advocate for more school nurses because most of them do not comprehend the role, responsibilities, and advantages of having a school nurse. The major reason for the school nurse shortage is the lack of legislation on school nursing; not enough funding, and no laws forcing schools to hire nurses. Therefore, many educational facilities have opted to hire unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) instead. 

 Yes, it is likely more cost effective to hire UAP’s instead of Registered Nurses but that does not make it acceptable. It is my belief that we have different titles and scopes of practice for a reason. I find it mind boggling that some schools do not have school nurses. How is it that some parents are comfortable with sending their children to a school without a nurse? Is it that they don’t inquire about the presence of a school nurse? Or could it be that maybe they assume that every school has a full-time nurse? I wonder if some parents are aware of the nurse to student ratio at their child’s school. Yes, there are budget cuts due to many reasons but why do these schools say they don’t have enough funding to hire a school nurse but they have six assistant coaches for any one of the sports? So yet my question remains unanswered: what is the priority?

 

References

Beshears, V., & Ermer, P. (2013). SCHOOL NURSING: It's Not What You Think!. Arkansas

Nursing News, 9(2), 14-18. 

Board, C., Bushmiaer, M., Davis-Alldritt, L., Fekaris, N., Morgitan, J., Murphy, K., &Yow, B. (2011, April). Role of the school nurse. Retrieved from http://www.nasn.org/PolicyAdvocacy/PositionPapersandReports/NASNPositionStatementsFullView/tabid/462/ArticleId/87/Role-of-the-School-Nurse-Revised-2011

Nwabuzor, O. (2007, February). Legislative: "Shortage of Nurses: The School Nursing Experience." Online  Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol12 No 2. doi:10.3912/OJIN.Vol12No02LegCol01

Resha, C., (2010, May 31) "Delegation in the School Setting: Is it a Safe Practice?" OJIN: The

Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 15, No. 2, Manuscript 5. doi:

10.3912/OJIN.Vol15No02Man05

Topics: school nurse, education, health care, underappreciated, senior capstone

Health care industry experiencing new demands for nurses

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Fri, Apr 25, 2014 @ 02:05 PM

by BPT

Nursing continues to be one of the fastest-growing occupations in the nation, as nurses make up the majority of the health care industry workforce. In fact, recent projections from a January 2014 report published in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook estimate the job growth to be 19 percent faster than the average occupation through 2022.

Besides a strong job market, a degree in nursing can be even more rewarding than you may think. A nurse usually has a flexible schedule and the option to work in a variety of establishments, from hospitals to schools, home care facilities and even government agencies. Few professions can provide the same number of options in terms of where to work, areas to specialize in, or degrees to use. The range of nursing specialties is almost as varied as the personalities of the nurses themselves. So no matter what kind of person you are, you’ll have a place in nursing.

However, the industry has changed over the years and this has led to a higher demand of registered nurses. Patient treatments have become more complicated, and with an increased workload, nurse positions require even more critical thinking skills.

Brenda McAllister, the national director of nursing of the Brown Mackie College system of schools, knows first-hand how the industry has changed. "I have watched the industry grow over the years as nurses become more involved than just taking vital signs, giving medications and bathing patients,” she says. “There is a more team-oriented approach which has developed in hospitals, and this naturally makes it a more rewarding career option. As a result, more and more nursing programs are in demand.”

Nurses must be able to work through problems that don't have a standard cookie-cutter18674671 web resized 600 solution. If a life-threatening problem occurs, the nurse must take action within their scope of practice to save a patient. Nurses must have the ability to think on their feet and assure patient safety.

On the other hand, nurses continue to go the extra mile to help their patients. Many people, especially the elderly, are reluctant to take medicine prescribed by a doctor other than their regular doctor. "Nurses will sometimes even call a patient's regular doctor to explain their current health care needs," McAllister says. "Usually a word from that trusted source will help the patient comply. It’s an additional step, but all the more rewarding when you help a patient out.”

In addition, there are a lot of things a nurse can do other than work at a hospital. In fact, not all aspects of nursing require physical, hands-on care. One employment option, which appeals to those who don't necessarily want to touch every patient physically, is to become a care manager or care coordinator. This position involves managing outpatient care to make sure needs are met and health is maintained when a patient leaves a medical facility.

The home health care coordinator's job is broadly based on patient education. Good health assessment skills and good nursing skills are necessary elements of care. These skills, plus teaching skills, continue to help keep the patient as independent as possible.

Another example would be a care coordinator's position at an insurance company, which is similar to one employed by a hospital. They work with an eye toward keeping treatment aspects in line with guidelines. A knowledge base is essential to perform the job. One must be able to be a manager, have a broad understanding of the body and a scientific background.

Even with attractive career options and expanding nursing programs, there is still a growing nursing shortage. Higher complexity of care, a growing geriatric population, expanding health and disease prevention services, and many other conditions regarding individual health demand more qualified nurses to fill an increasing variety of positions. So if this is a path you choose to follow, research your options and determine which fields and programs meet your needs to have a rewarding career in nursing.

Source: Journal Sentinel

Topics: growing, BLS, demand, nursing, healthcare

Employment Options for Nurses

Posted by Alycia Sullivan

Fri, Apr 25, 2014 @ 01:10 PM

Q. I have been a bedside nurse for over 25 years and love my career. Both of my daughters have also gone into nursing. What are the career options for us? I don’t think I’ll be bedside much longer and what do recent grads have to look forward to?

A. The outlook for all health care professionals is very good as long as you are open to working in many environments. Hospitals, nursing homes, home health and insurance companies are among the industries interested in speaking to nursing professionals and other health service providers. The OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook) projects a 19 percent growth rate for nurses between 2012 and 2022 due to an increase in the interest in preventative care, an increase in chronic conditions and the baby boomers need for health care in the future.

I consulted Kathy Lind, Staffing Manger for Boston Children’s Hospital, to get more information on options for experienced nurses who may not want to stay bedside. “Nurses with significant experience who are ready to leave the bedside and who are not ready to retire have several options. There are roles that focus on care coordination or clinical documentation. These positions require the expertise of a seasoned nurse and can be great options for nurses looking to transition.”

Lind comments, ”For recent graduates, it’s important to remember that you may not land your first choice as your first job. The best thing you can do is keep your options open and maintain a positive attitude. If you have the chance to speak with a recruiter or hiring manager, approach the conversation as an opportunity to build a professional relationship and ask if it’s OK to contact them occasionally for updates via email. You can keep them updated on the status of your boards and if you’ve accepted a position elsewhere.”

Your first job will most likely not be your last job. Many staffing managers would agree with Lind’s comment: “You may need to consider extending your job search beyond your initial clinical specialty and geographic preferences. The best thing you can do as a new graduate RN is to secure a position and gain one to two years of valuable experience. At that point you can begin to think about applying for that dream job!”

Source: Boston.com

Topics: Q and A, The Job Doc, nurses, careers

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