Nurse Training

Being a successful RN requires a lot of on-the-job nurse training, as nursing school only goes so far in preparing you to be a fully functioning nurse. A brand new nurse on a unit has a long road ahead before he or she will feel confident in their skills and abilities. An orientation program is designed to ease this transition and to ensure that the nurse has the skills and competency to provide good patient care.

The truth is, on-the-job nurse training programs are not standard and can vary greatly between facilities. Most will have a classroom portion that discusses the policies and procedures of the hospital or care facility. Then, a period of working with a preceptor typically follows. A preceptor is an experienced nurse who is responsible for "showing the ropes" of patient care and ensuring the new nurse is familiar with the workings of the unit. The time that a new nurse will spend with a preceptor is not consistent and can vary, depending on the facility and the unit.

There is a new trend in on-the-job nurse training: the new graduate nurse residency program. These programs accept multiple new graduates, and through a combination of classroom work, clinical experience and preceptorship, they help new nurses transition to full competency and confidence. Some of these programs can last up to a year, depending on the facility.

A lack of proper training for the new nurse can lead to a myriad of problems. The new nurse can feel overwhelmed by his or her responsibilities and lack of support. They may seek employment in another field or within another facility. Patient care may suffer from a less experienced nurse. It is important for employers to recognize the needs of a new nurse and to help them through this transitional period. It is also important for new graduates to advocate for themselves and their level of confidence in their nursing practice.

Nurses who have been working in the field for some time still need to keep up with their studies as medicine advances. This is typically done through continuing education credits. Many states require a certain amount of these credits to be completed each year for a nurse to retain his or her license. They are available through the Internet and cover hundreds of topics. CE credits can also be earned by completing certification classes, like ACLS (advanced cardiovascular life support) and PALS (pediatric advanced life support).

Nurse training is extensive, and is never complete. From the intense orientation of a new nurse to the continuing education of a seasoned nurse, learning is an essential part of this profession.

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Interviewing For a Nursing Position?

When you’re interviewing for a nursing position, you’ll most likely be asked about your skills and experience, your training, and your interests. This will differ depending on the situation, whether it is your first job after becoming licensed as a Registered Nurse or a career ladder opportunity that builds on your experience and advanced education as a Registered Nurse. With either situation it is important for interviewees to put their best foot forward and outline their qualifications in as much detail as possible. Below you will find some of the most pertinent preparation tips for Registered Nurses, whether they are seasoned nurses or just starting out in their career.

Familiarize yourself with the employer before the interview. Research the healthcare organization to learn about their goals, values and structure. You want to discover all you can about the specific anticipated nursing job as well. The more knowledge you have before you arrive for the actual interview, the more confidence you will have during the interview, resulting in the ability to demonstrate to the employer that you are the best candidate for the job.

Prepare your credentials and professional resume that outline relevant coursework, clinical experiences and any other important accomplishments. The more information you can provide your potential employer, the more they will understand what you will bring to the position.

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What To Expect From A Nursing Career

Expect to be in demand. Nursing is definitely a growing field, and now is a good time to get into it. If you choose to go into nursing, you should be able to find a job-no matter where you live. With one of the most numerous generations in American history getting ready to retire, demand for nursing is only expected to increase in the years ahead. As a nurse, expect to have the upper hand in salary and other job negotiations for decades to come.

Expect high pay. Because of the high demand for nurses, pay in this industry has never been better.

Expect flexible shifts. Because of shortages in the field, hospitals are doing everything they can to make the job easier on the employees-including offering flexible shifts. It's not unheard of nowadays to find hospitals willing to be flexible in terms of when you work.

Expect a demanding job. No matter what field of nursing you choose to go into, the truth is that nursing is not for the faint of heart. Your shift will no doubt be busy and eventful, and you'll need comfortable shoes. You may get called in to cover extra shifts-those nursing shortages can be a challenge as well as a blessing. The nursing industry is taking great pains to improve working conditions for nurses, in order to improve retention and raise recruitment rates. However, nursing isn't an easy job-you will face challenges every day.

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What Recruiters Look For In a Nursing Candidate

Here are 2 more things recruiters look for in nursing candidates.

--Polished Professionalism
As you move through the job-search process, it’s important to position yourself so you stand out to recruiters. Major recommends customizing your résumé to every position you’re applying for, and being responsive to calls, voice mails and emails from recruiters. Use the keywords from the description of the job you’re applying for.

In addition, you should strive to behave like a professional at all times,. A team attitude is a must, as well as accountability. Because you work with dynamic and growing health care organizations, they look for nurses who have a desire to grow in their careers, expand their skills and further their educations.

Don’t be afraid to check in with recruiters. Follow up, follow up, follow up – folks are busy and may not remember or even take time to get back to you, so make it a point to reach back out to them weekly; you won’t be perceived as a pest, but rather someone who is responsible and interested.

--Desire to Grow
Once you get your first job, don’t stop there. Build hours toward getting a certification that can boost your own sense of accomplishment while adding value to your résumé.  According to an American Nurses Credentialing Center survey of nurse managers, 86 percent said they would hire a certified nurse over a noncertified nurse, if all other factors were equal. A vast majority of those respondents said the main reason was that certification proves a nurse has a knowledge base in a given specialty.

Eventually, you will want to consider whether furthering your education would be useful. As the demand for physicians increases, so too does the demand for advanced practitioners, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

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