Finding the Right Nursing Job
After hours of clinicals and exams you thought were going to be impossible to pass, you finally have your nursing degree and are ready for the fun part: employment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses can expect employment to grow faster than average with a projected 581,500 new jobs. While it is no secret that nurses are in high demand, when it comes to getting a job, you have to find the right one for you.
No one is going to knock on your door and offer you the perfect nursing job to gain the experience you need, so it is up to you to find it. Do a little research on the hospitals, doctor's offices, medical centers, health clinics, and private practices in your area. Make a list of the ones that you think would be the best educational, environmental, and personal fit for you and contact their recruiting departments. Either on the phone or in person, ask if there are any current vacancies or if there will be in the near future. If anything, you should be able to leave your resume with them for future reference in the case that a position does open up.
Many employment agencies specialize in placing people in different industries, and lucky for you, health care is one of them. Search for agencies that are specifically looking to fill positions in health-related fields, or even more specifically, provide nurse staffing services. Contact them and ask to speak to a recruiter who can give you inside information on jobs that are not advertised publically. Most of these recruiters will try to sell your resume to employers who have available openings that they believe you are best suited for. This can save you a lot of trouble since you won't have to spend a lot of time filling out dozens of applications and waiting by the phone for a call back.
One of the best ways to learn about an open position is simply by finding a help wanted ad. Thankfully, these days you don't have to walk up and down the streets looking for a sign in the window, you just need to have an internet connection. Popular job board Web sites like Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com only require you to conduct a search in order to find hundreds of open positions. To narrow your results, and ensure you only apply to jobs you are qualified for, you can narrow your search by location, job category, degree, and experience level.
Top Online Nursing Programs
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University of Phoenix - RN to BSN. 27 Nursing Degrees. Students interested in reaching their career goals in the healthcare industry as a nurse will reach them at the University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix allows working adults the convenience of taking classes when they can.
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South University - A.S. in Allied Health Science. As an accredited online college, South University offers a respectable Associate’s Degree in Allied Health Science for those seeking to pursue a career in healthcare. The program is offered completely online, allowing students to learn in their own time without sacrificing their current responsibilities.
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LA College - A.A. in Health Care Administration. With a handful of online health programs, LA College is a great choice for students seeking entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. Their Associate’s degree in Health Care Administration will provide students with the basis for a multitude of job opportunities in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and many others.
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Post University - BS in Mgmt. For Registered Nurses. Post University is dedicated in helping students achieve their personal and professional goals in a timely manner, allowing them to pursue their careers in healthcare more quickly. The Bachelor of Science in Management for Registered Nurses degree will prepare nurses to obtain administrative and management roles that require critical-thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.
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Herzing University - BSN-Bridge Program. With nursing constituting as the largest healthcare occupation today, Herzing University has created quality nursing programs to fulfill the increasing demand in the industry. At Herzing, students receive hands-on training in order to help them enter the workforce with confidence.
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The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. The College Network is one of the nation's top providers in providing high quality nursing degrees online. Students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of HealthCare degrees that that will allow them to further their career in Nursing.
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Jones International University - B.A. in Health Care Mgmt. Jones International University offers a Bachelor’s program in Health Care Management that will help students become skilled and effective managers in the healthcare industry. Students could work in a variety of different settings upon completion of the program.
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Virginia College - BS in Health Services Management. Virginia College is dedicated in helping students achieve their goals and aspirations to advance in the health care industry. Their Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management will prepare students for a variety of career options in assistant management or administrative positions within a healthcare facility.
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Western Governors University - B.S. in Nursing. Western Governors University is an accredited online university offering a variety of nursing and healthcare programs for students of all ages. Their Nursing program will incorporate patient education, health promotion, nursing roles, technology, and many other health related subjects.
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Baker College - B.S. in Nursing. Baker College allows students to complete their Nursing degree completely online, at their own pace and time. Their program provides current registered nurses with the opportunity to advance and continue their growth.
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Keiser University - B.A. in Health Services Administration. With several degree options in the healthcare field, Keiser University prepares students for a variety of positions in any healthcare setting. Their mission is to help students develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for leadership positions upon graduation.
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Indiana State University - LPN to BSN. Students looking to jump start a career will find accredited an accredited RN to BSN nursing degree from the Indiana State University. Indiana State University was originally founded in 1865 and over this time has prepared thousands of students for new, exciting careers.
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