Finally. You graduated. You’re certified. You’re ready to work as a full-fledged neonatal nurse practitioner. And of course, you want to find a new job right away.
Keep in mind that your first NNP position will chart the course of your career path and ultimately shape your experiences, accomplishments, and reputation. There’s a lot at stake and a lot to consider before taking that first and critical step.
So, be thoughtful when choosing your first position. Yes, you want to work off those student loans, but you also want to be selective. Here are a few ideas to consider when picking your first NNP position.
1. Opt for a position that suits your style
There are a lot of different NNP jobs out there. Have you thought about your preference? Would you like to work in a hospital or community-based setting? Are you seeking a high acuity surgical unit? Are deliveries important to you? Additionally, are you willing to relocate in order to secure the job which checks all of your boxes, or have you already established roots where you are?
These are just a few of the questions to ask yourself as you begin your job search. Of course, the more open and flexible you are, the more choices you’ll have.
2. Consider your perspective coworkers (your future extended family)
It’s a well-known fact: you don’t get to choose your relatives in life. Luckily, you do get to pick the colleagues you’ll be spending the better part of your waking hours with. In no short order, these people are going to become family to you. They’re the people who will support you, cheer for you, and help you navigate through a steep learning curve.
Get to know your potential new colleagues during your interview process. Talk to former staff members and those outside the facility with intimate knowledge of the team’s dynamics.
3. Weigh in on location and lifestyle
Location and work schedule are two things you’ll want to consider when choosing a job.
Many new grads become disappointed when upon graduation there are no NNP positions available in their local area. So, the next logical option is to find something in a commutable distance. While experienced NNPs can work in a commuter role, say over 100 miles, most employers will not consider their candidacy and we advise against new grads doing so.
Most commuters typically cluster their shifts, staying in town where the job is, and then return home for a week or so before heading back to repeat the cycle. Although this option and lifestyle may work well for experienced NNPs it does not serve new grads. Your first 6-12 months requires a lot of training which is best done on a consistent schedule basis. Breaking your orientation into a fractured schedule not only impedes your learning curve but places an additional stress on the rest of the team, forcing them to adjust their schedules to accommodate your clustered shifts.
4. Avoid hidden surprises
It’s important that you find out as much as you can about the hospital or facility you’re considering working at. Spend time reading and researching the location, environment, their reputation, and the people. Talk to others in the field; look up employee reviews online. These efforts will tell you a lot about where you will be living and working — the vision and values of senior staff members; the culture and climate you’ll be working in.
5. Money isn’t everything, but it’s something
Money isn’t everything, but it is important that you feel adequately compensated in your first NNP job. Get a sense of the standard pay in your targeted region. And, when comparing compensation packages, remember to factor in all the benefits — not just the salary. Find out about the vacation time, retirement and insurance plans offered to entry-level employees. And remember, the salary you accept is the base salary for future raises. The higher you come in, the higher each of your increases will be as they start at a higher basis. Make sure it’s a number you can live with.
6. Overcome lack of experience
As you begin your search, you may notice that many positions require several years of NNP experience.
And truthfully, this heading is misleading — there really is no way to overcome inexperience other than to find an employer who is new-grad friendly. Many employers with the acuity levels and resources to hire new grads understand the benefits of hiring NNPs fresh out of school, such as lower compensation and the ability to train you into the unique role of the NNP at their facility — there are no “bad” habits to undo.
The real challenge for the new grads is how to stand out from other new grads competing for the same positions as you.
7. Understand the market
You may be tempted to accept the first job offer you receive. But keep in mind that it’s a buyer’s market right now: depending on your location, there may be more open NNP jobs out there than there are qualified graduates. This means that, given your location, you may have your pick of the litter. It is wise that you apply to as many positions as you can; hopefully, you will receive more than one job offer at a time. This way you can be choosy and select the one you want most.
8. Know where to look
Most job seekers (including NNPs) look to job boards like Monster, Indeed, and CareerBuilder for their searches. But, if you’re an ENSEARCH reader, you know that we always, always recommend working with an ethical recruiter rather than tackling your search alone.
Working with an ethical recruiter doesn’t cost you a dime, can give you access to jobs that aren’t posted online, and it puts you front and center with some of most reputable employers in your area: these are the hiring managers who understand the value of working through an expert firm, and they aren’t afraid to pay a premium for it. Plus, you get access to services at no cost to you:
- Customized search – Have our team of expert recruiters at your disposal. If your ideal job isn’t among our current listings, we will do everything we can to find it for you.
- Pre-interview coaching – Learn how to stand out and be remembered, be prepared for commonly asked questions, discover how to present yourself and sell your unique skill set to an employer, and learn how to address “the money question”.
- Offer negotiation – Our recruiters act as a buffer during this difficult and awkward stage — we actually negotiate your entire offer package on your behalf.
- Access to jobs that aren’t posted online – ENSEARCH is a search firm, not an employment agency. That means we can tailor your search to you, sometimes even sourcing jobs that aren’t posted online.
Conducting a job search on your own can lead to missed opportunities, or leaving money on the table in your offer negotiations due to simple and avoidable resume, job search, and interview mistakes. Job search really is a second full-time job. Consider letting someone else do it for you, so you can get back to your life and have the energy to fully pursue the right opportunity when it does come along.
9. Keep Your Head in the Game
While you’re looking for a job, get out there and meet people. Stay connected with friends, professors, and advisors from nursing school. Network at national conferences like NANN, ANN, Contemporary Forums, and especially FANNP which has a high degree of focus on new grads.
Target the facilities you’d like to work at and ask to meet with staff members and human resource managers for an “informational interview.” Pick up the phone and ask people out for coffee; you’ll get to know the inside scoop, and may learn about open positions that haven’t been advertised yet.
Your first NNP job will be a gateway into your career and will indelibly shape your relationships, your experiences and knowledge base. In this new position, you will meet and maintain friendships with other NNPs, physicians, and surgeons. Your first job is where you begin building your skill set and your reputation. Think wisely when interviewing and deciding on that first critical step into a long and prosperous future in neonatal nursing.
Do you job search questions you want to be answered? Share them in the comments below!
