Entering the workforce is understandably intimidating if you have no hands-on experience. After all, nursing is a nuanced career path that relies as much on experience as it does on education. You can set yourself up for success as a nurse if you have some experience in the field.
Whether it be during your time in college or after graduating, it’s essential to spend time in a clinical setting. Luckily, resources like the Internet and programs that many nursing schools offer make this easier than ever.
Some of the best ways to get experience before becoming a nurse involve unpaid work. However, that is a small sacrifice that you’ll be glad you made after years as a successful nurse.
Follow along as we highlight the best ways to gain nursing experience prior to becoming a nurse.
How Do I Get Experience Before Becoming a Nurse?
You can get nursing experience before becoming a nurse if you take advantage of every class and volunteer program you can find. Some of the best opportunities to gain hands-on nursing experience before turning professional include:
Volunteer as Much as Possible
Not only is volunteer work rewarding, but it’s also a great way to get experience and confirm that nursing is for you. Of course, volunteering doesn’t involve compensation, so doing so can demonstrate your dedication to nursing. This is a great way to get hands-on experience and improve your resume.
Today, you can easily find many nursing positions online, and it’s best to apply to as many as possible. The American Red Cross is a great option as they operate all over and often have positions available. You can also volunteer at local health fairs and contact the public health department in your area.
Take BLS Classes
Basic life support (BLS) classes provide invaluable experience that every first responder and nurse needs. This is a great chance to learn essential nursing skills, such as Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). While this is not the same as a nursing license, BLS certification provides practical experience and demonstrates your dedication.
First aid instruction is often included in many BSL classes. If not, however, it’s worth seeking out separate first aid courses to further pad your resume. Both of these skills are essential in any clinical setting, and they’re essential to know before becoming a nurse.
Become a CNA
Before becoming a nurse, it’s best to work alongside nurses as much as possible. The best way to do this is to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). First, you must complete a training program to learn the fundamentals and protocols of working as a CNA.
Passing the exam not only lets you become a CNA but also sets you up for a great future as a nurse. CNAs handle many important aspects of patient care, such as helping them eat, change clothes, and bathe.
This position requires lots of empathy, passion, and drive to help patients. Your experience as a CNA will ultimately help you eventually become an outstanding nurse.
Enter a Mentorship Program
What better way to gain nursing experience than to have a mentor? Nurse mentorship programs are available in and around many major cities. This is a great option for inexperienced nurses looking to get guidance from seasoned professionals.
There is an undeniable learning curve when becoming a nurse, and having a mentor makes it easier. Rather than flounder during a “trial by fire”, you can gain insight from someone with years of experience.
Shadow an Experienced Nurse
Shadowing a seasoned nurse is a great alternative or precursor to entering a mentorship program. It is your best shot at watching nurses in action to gain perspective about your future profession. You can benefit significantly from shadowing a nurse if you make the most of the experience.
Take notes and soak in your surroundings to get practical context for what you learned in nursing school. Pay attention to everything from their bedside manner with patients to how they respond to emergencies and surprises. If possible, try to shadow a nurse who works in the field of nursing you are interested in.
Apply as an Intern
Sometimes, it’s hard to get a nursing job after graduating from school. However, it is much easier to get a job if you have practical experience as an intern. Many nursing schools offer internships at nearby hospitals, and they offer invaluable experience.
Keep in mind that it can be tricky to balance life as a nursing student and intern. That said, it’s worth the extra workload given how much it can benefit your resume. It’s also worth noting that you may even be able to get a job at the hospital where you interned upon graduating.
Take Advantage of Every Opportunity
As you can see, there is no shortage of great opportunities to gain nursing experience before becoming a nurse. Many aspiring nurses even take advantage of several opportunities, such as shadowing nurses and getting mentored. After all, nobody has ever complained about a nurse who is too educated, prepared, and experienced.
