Looking for a Nursing Job…Here’s Where to Start

by Alex A. Kecskes

You just graduated with a two- or four-year degree in nursing and you’re ready to hit the pavement looking for a job. If you have your nursing license, so much the better.

But the fact remains, in this economy, you’ll have to compete with thousands of other nursing grads who are just as eager to land that first job. That said, you don’t want to end up in a hospital or medical facility that works you to death. Some employers will use the bad economy to exploit young nurses.

One of the first things you can do is find out as much as you can about the hospital or medical facility you hope to work for. You can go online for some of this information. You can also ask your school counselor for some background on the employer. And if you’re lucky enough to know someone who already works there, mine them for information.

Besides learning what the employer expects from its new-hire nurses, you’ll want to know such things as their nurse-to-patient ratio; the length of each shift; the duty schedules; and the level of support staff they provide for their nurses. You may want to know if the employer welcomes policy and management suggestions from its nurses. Are specialists or educators available to support nurses? Are nurses fairly represented in the different committees of the hospital or medical facility? Do nurses have a voice on issues related to the nursing practice and patient care? You also need to consider your long-term career goals. Does the hospital or medical facility offer continuing education to keep you updated with current trends?

It’s important to know these things before you rush headlong into a position that, while it may pay the bills, leaves you too exhausted and frustrated to enjoy your time off.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

If you have any thoughts on landing that first nursing job, feel free to share them in the comments section.

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Beyond.com.

Nursing Careers You May Not Have Considered

by Alex A. Kecskes

Nurses don't just work in schools, hospitals or health clinics. Some work in areas that you may not have envisioned.

Take Correctional Nursing, for example. There are over 2 million inmates and juvenile offenders behind bars, many of whom require regular medical care or supervision. Some require immediate intervention due to serious illnesses such as AIDs or injuries sustained in fights. Correctional nurses also provide training and care for drug abusers. And they often deal with mentally ill or unstable patients, or those who have been traumatized by violence. For this reason, these specialized nurses must be confident, mature and well trained. They must also be able to disconnect from the crimes inmates have committed and deal with them as patients.

There's also Forensic Nursing. These nurses work with victims and perpetrators of violent crime. Today, over 7,500 nurses work in the field of forensics, investigating deaths or treating violent offenders at psychiatric facilities. Some forensic nurses work as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE). Forensic nurses must be patient, methodical and thorough in their work and the conclusions they reach. The U.S. justice system demands a high level of accuracy and mistakes are not tolerated in court.

Finally, there's Holistic Nursing. These nurses adhere to the philosophy that treating the whole person is just as important as treating the symptom of a disease. These nurses believe that patients can and should participate in their own healing. Many of these nurses are certified in a wide range of holistic healing techniques, including therapeutic massage, aromatherapy, imagery, herbology or Reiki that complement Western medicine. Holistic nurses are often found in holistic wellness centers and health clubs.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.