Gaining the Experience Before the Job.

It’s a catch 22. As new nursing grads we are try to get jobs but are being told that we need experience. But to get experience we need jobs. The issue is how to create a portfolio which will show that you are not still wet behind the ears.

One practical tip is to volunteer in the emergency medical field. Volunteering at the local ambulance station can provide much of the same critical care experience that one would find in an emergency room. In addition to becoming comfortable with diagnosing and first aid, the emergency medical field is an experience which exposes you to higher stress than you’d find in the controlled environment of a hospital. I can tell you from firsthand experience that there is a noticeable difference between the new grads just starting on the floor and the nurses who’ve been in the field.

The second major advantage is read more …