Nursing has always been considered a noble profession. The job requires compassion, patience, and empathy, and nurses often get paid well. But is nursing worth it? Is it possible to become a nurse without a college degree or passing an exam?
Nurses are highly sought after because they provide medical care to patients who require constant attention. They also play a vital role in keeping hospitals clean and safe. Nurses are responsible for monitoring patient health conditions and administering medications.
There are many things to factor into the decision of whether or not to become a nurse. Among these factors is the question of how hard it is to find a job in the nursing profession.
Many people are interested in pursuing a career in nursing, but they are unsure whether it will be difficult to secure a job after completing their education.
This blog post will explore what nurses can expect when looking for work. We will also provide tips on making yourself stand out as a job candidate.
So, if you’re wondering how hard it is to get a job as a nurse, keep reading!
Land More Interviews With A Professional Resume
Get a professional resume review from a certified career expert
How Difficult Is It to Obtain a Nursing Job Right After Graduation?
Right after graduation, finding a job as a nurse might be challenging. There are a limited number of entry-level nursing jobs available, and hospitals are actively seeking experienced nurses. The interview process may be intimidating, and the competition is intense.
But it’s not impossible to land a nursing job right after graduation. The key is to stand out from the crowd. Start by crafting a strong resume and cover letter. Then, focus on nailing the interview. Prepare for common questions, and take the time to learn about the hospital or clinic you’re interviewing with.
If you show dedication and passion for nursing, you’ll be one step closer to landing that dream job.
Tips for First-Time Nurse Job Applicants

The application process can feel like a daunting task. You’ve probably been preparing for it since you got into nursing school. But once you’re ready to apply for work, many factors must be considered.
Do you send out multiple applications? How do you handle follow-up questions? What happens if you don’t hear anything back? And what if you’re rejected? We asked our experts how to prepare for your first job interview. Read on to learn some helpful advice.
1. Get your resume in order
Your resume is probably one of the most important pieces of paper in your life. You’ll use it to apply to every job you want. So, make sure it looks good. Your resume is like a sales pitch for you. If you’re selling yourself, you’d better sell well. And that means getting help from experts. Here are some tips for creating a winning resume.
- Get Help From Career Services
Career counselors can give you great ideas about what information to include on your resume. They can even suggest ways to improve your resume. These professionals know what employers look for when reviewing resumes. They can also tell you whether certain work experience will likely get you hired.
- Organize Your Resume
The key to a successful resume is organization. Make sure each section of your resume includes relevant information. For example, don’t combine your professional and volunteer experiences under “experience.” Instead, separate your volunteer activities from your paid employment.
- Use Bold Fonts
Use bold fonts to emphasize keywords and phrases. This makes your resume easier to read. Remember, too, that you don’t always have to write in full sentences. Sometimes short words work just fine.
2. Take your time on applications

A recent study found that people are less likely to hire someone if they apply too quickly. The researchers discovered that applicants who submitted multiple applications within ten days of one another had only a 5% chance of landing a job compared to those who waited three months between submitting their applications.
The reason behind this phenomenon is simple — it takes time for employers to review each application. If you submit too many applications too soon, it could take longer to see the light of day. And once your resume hits a hiring manager’s desk, there’s always the possibility that their attention span won’t allow them to read through every document.
So don’t throw your hat into the ring too early. Take some time to craft your perfect CV, cover letter, and interview skills. Then, sit tight and wait patiently for the phone call.
3. Prepare for the interviews
There are many ways to prepare yourself for an interview. Some people like to review old papers, while others prefer to read up on what it takes to become a nurse. Whatever method works best for you, make sure that you have done plenty of preparation beforehand. This includes practicing answering basic questions about your education and work experience.
You might find it helpful to read our article on how to ace your nursing interview. We list out some tips that we think will help you succeed.
4. Talk to the nurses you’ve worked with before

When choosing a nursing job, it can be helpful for you to talk to other nurses you know. If you don’t know anyone, try asking your current employer for a referral. Ask the nurse manager, department head, or someone who works closely with the person you’d like to work with.
If you are interviewing at a hospital, ask the interviewer to take you on a tour of the unit. This way, you’ll better understand what working there might look like. Observe how people interact with each other, how patients are treated, and how the environment feels.
5. Checking Qualifications
The process of getting hired isn’t always straightforward. Some states require licensing, while others don’t. There are other factors to consider, like physical demands or previous work experience. But, it’s important to know what you’re looking for because you won’t find out about those requirements until you apply. You might even be asked to send in references to prove yourself.
6. Overcoming lack of experience
As you begin your search, plenty of jobs require no experience whatsoever. But even though you might think you’re qualified, you probably aren’t. You’ll likely find yourself competing against people with far less experience. So how do you stand out from the crowd? Here are some tips to help you overcome your lack of knowledge:
- Network
The best way to start getting experience is to build relationships with people who already have it.
- Be proactive
If you see a position that interests you, apply early.
- Look outside your comfort zone
You never know what opportunities lie beyond your current role. One day you could be working in a different department altogether.
7. The challenge of landing your dream job

There are many different types of nursing jobs available today. You might even find yourself working in multiple roles throughout your career. For example, you could start as a registered nurse and become a licensed practical nurse. Or perhaps you’re interested in pursuing a career as a medical assistant. There are plenty of opportunities for nurses across the board.
As you explore your options, it helps to understand what each type of nursing job entails.
8. Figuring out the logistics
Your choice to pursue a profession in healthcare may or may not be influenced by your location and work schedule, among other things. Naturally, your chances of finding employment in a hospital environment will increase as you become more willing to work weekends, evenings, or 12-hour shifts.
You can establish your own hours for a lot of the 9–5 nursing positions, however. Furthermore, while the location is significant, it shouldn’t be the determining element. If you’re prepared to make the sacrifices required to work in a certain field, you can find yourself in possession of a fantastic opportunity.
As far as where the job is located, that should come into play if you’ll have to travel a long distance or spend a lot of money commuting. Living near a hospital will save you both time and money. But you could save even more if you don’t mind driving across town daily.
Land More Interviews With A Professional Resume
Get a professional resume review from a certified career expert
9. Marketing yourself
Of course, you’ve probably already heard the conventional wisdom that most people don’t get jobs after applying to a job listing. In other words, you shouldn’t solely rely on that method. There are plenty of ways to expand your reach beyond traditional networking, referrals, and social media.
One great way to do this is to tap into your networks. One of the best sources of job leads may come directly from your network of contacts.
For example, you may know someone who works in the field of what you’re looking for. Or perhaps you know someone who knows someone who works in the industry. If you ask around, you could end up finding a lead without even having to apply anywhere.
So, How Hard is it to Get a Job as a Nurse?
So, you want to be a nurse? It’s not as easy as you might think. There are plenty of job openings for nurses, but the competition is fierce.
To land a job as a nurse, you’ll need to stand out from the crowd. So, how hard is it to get a job as a nurse? It depends. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort to build an impressive resume and hone your interview skills, you’ll have a good chance of landing a nursing job.
However, if you’re not willing to do the work, you’ll likely find it difficult to secure a nursing position. So, what’s the takeaway? If you want to be a nurse, be prepared to work hard and sell yourself to potential employers. With some dedication and perseverance, you can achieve your goal of becoming a nurse.
You need the right skills and experience, but with the help of our expert resume writers, you can level up your game and get career advice.
Let us show you how to craft an application that will stand out from the rest. Contact us today for more information on our resume writing services!