Pirate Career Plan: Nursing

Explore Your Calling
Learn more about your calling in relation to your values, motivations, talents, skills, strengths and areas for improvement.

Prepare for Experience
Broadly explore career possibilities by researching and attending networking
events and programs.

Obtain Experience
Gain experience, knowledge and skills through internships, part-time jobs,
volunteer and leadership positions.

Take Action
Conduct a successful professional career or graduate school search.
 

• Develop a college resume and discuss your career path with your career advisor.
• Participate in community service activities related to your interests.
• Interview 3 people you know or SHU alumni (ask your career advisor about “Pirate Mentors”) to learn about their nursing careers.
• Research career areas within nursing to identify those that fit your interests.
• Join the Student Nurses Association.
• Attend the Nursing Career Event (check for this year’s date) to meet people who recruit SHU nursing students.
• Begin to use Navigator to find related internships, volunteer opportunities, and part-time/summer jobs.

• Meet with your career advisor to tailor your resume towards the nursing field— use Onetonline.org to identify keywords.
• Volunteer at a hospital or other type of healthcare facility (contact the Volunteer Coordinator). Check Navigator for volunteer and internship opportunities.
• Ask your career advisor about additional job search websites, such as Liquid Compass (found in the SHU Portal).
• Seek leadership roles within your student organization(s).
• Attend the Nursing Career Event (check for this year’s date) to locate volunteer positions and part-time jobs.
• Gather information about positions such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Patient Care Technician (PCT), & Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA). 

• Increase your knowledge of nursing via shadowing, internships, part-time jobs, summer jobs, and volunteering.
• Create a cover letter and update your resume to include clinical rotations and other experiences.
• Search for a part-time job as a CNA, PCT, CHHA, or other part-time role in a healthcare facility. If your schedule does not permit you to commit to a part-time job, offer to volunteer.
• Attend the Nursing Career Event (check for this year’s date) to look for parttime jobs and externships.
• Develop a networking contact list of people you meet during your clinical rotations and networking events.
• Expand your rescuer certifications to Advanced Life Support/Pediatric (PALS) and neonatal resuscitation.

• Start your career search at least six months prior to graduation.
• Upload your resume in the “Nursing Resume Book” in Navigator and on CertifiedProfile.com.
• Create a LinkedIn account and seek feedback from your career advisor.
• Target your updated resume and cover letter to specific employers and professional positions.
• Attend the Nursing Career Event (check for this year’s date) to meet nurse recruiters.
• Attend an “Interview Skills Workshop” and schedule a practice interview at The Career Center.
• Apply and interview for professional jobs.
• Some positions will require you to pass the NCLEX first.
• Update your networking list and keep in touch with your contacts.

Need more infomrtaion?

Visit us at: Bayley Hall, Second Floor, Rm. 209 (Monday - Friday 8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.)
Email us: [email protected]
Call us: (973) 761-9355