careers advisory service options nursing

Dear ‘Soon to be Graduates’!!

Well done – you are getting close to completion and although we know most of you are very busy on

internship, it is important to congratulate yourself on getting this far and try not to be too daunted by the

next step; we are here to support you. You have options and what is the best choice for you deserves

time and attention.

In this newsletter we have included the recent memo from the HSE regarding Permanent Contracts, some

specific advice on Nursing & Midwifery CVs and also, some tips and skills for doing the best possible

interview. We have also gathered some feedback and advice from your predecessors; recent graduates of

TCD, in order to try and smooth your transition from student/intern to fully fledged graduate and

employee.

Also, check out the article on what it is like to work with the International Red Cross. It can be really

useful to listen to other people’s career experiences, their thoughts and plans can sometimes help you

understand more clearly what will be the best next step for you.

Whatever you choose as your next step, your learning doesn’t stop now. All of the hospitals in Ireland

state that they are firmly committed to the on-going professional development of their nursing and

midwifery staff and this can be demonstrated by the breadth and depth of courses available as well as the

study leave and funding opportunities which exist. So do your homework to see what is available to you!

Of course, you possibly have many of your own ideas and plans that you would like to discuss, so always

remember if you would like to come and chat with us you can get in touch to make an appointment (01

896 1721 / [email protected]) – we are open all summer and you can also use our services when you finish

your internship.

I hope this newsletter, along with all the other services on offer here in College help you transition into

this new chapter in your life smoothly and happily!

Best of luck,

Sarah Jones

Career Consultant

May 2017 www.tcd.ie/Careers

Careers Advisory Service Options Nursing

mailto:1721/[email protected]

THE TRINITY CAREERS SERVICE

GUIDE Pick up your copy

today in the Careers Advisory Service

Q. How did you feel coming up to the end of your final year in Nursing?

I felt that I had gained confidence in my nursing skills and in my abilities to care for my patients. I also felt quite nervous about making the transition to becoming a staff nurse and having sole responsibility for patients. But I was definitely glad to be coming to the end of all the studying and training and was looking forward to entering into full time employment and earning a somewhat decent salary.

Q. What was your experience with applying for jobs and interviews?

I only applied for a job in one hospital and submitted my CV to another one and was called for interview for both. There seems to be jobs available in all the hospitals in Dublin at the moment, which is great for nurses just finishing. The interview process was a little intimidating as you are being questioned by a panel of 2 or 3 people. I would recommend doing a mock interview and having some answers ready for the day, just to be prepared in case the nerves take over. I found the careers advisory service great for helping with that.

Q. How did you make your decision on which job to choose or where to apply?

I applied for a job in the hospital I trained in which made that process a little easier because the staff there could provide information on how to get through the process. However, I ultimately took a job in a different hospital, one which I had done some placement on as a student, and had really enjoyed. I did find it very hard to choose between the two jobs when I was lucky enough to get offered both, as it was hard to walk away from the hospital I had trained in where I knew how things worked and knew the staff. But in the end I just wanted a change and wanted to try something new, and if it didn't work out at least I would have tried.

Q. Would you like to do anything different next year or in the future?

My main goal for the future is to travel and work abroad somewhere. I will realistically stay in my current job for a year anyways to get some experience and will then look to move on somewhere. Whether to London, Canada or Australia I haven't figured that part out yet.

Q. Have you any advice for current final years?

My advice would be to try and take advantage of, and even seek out new learning opportunities as much as you can while an intern. As a staff nurse you are often expected to know how to do a lot of basic procedures which you may never have gotten a chance to perform during your training. So take the 9 months and try to tick off all the things you have yet to achieve whether it's changing a dressing, removing a drain or placing an NG. Internship goes by so fast, so make the most of it!

F or the employer to consider you a relevant candidate you need to match your application to their needs, ie demonstrate your skills, qualities and achievements through your education, work, extracurricular activities and

volunteering.

Presentation

A good CV:

is visually appealing, clear and concise with sufficient white space, preferably using a minimum of 12-point type; there is no need to bind it or to use a fancy cover

is two pages only and tailored to the job for which you are applying, unless the employer specifies otherwise (e.g. a one page resume, see www.tcd.ie/careers for details)

highlights important parts; bullet points work better than paragraphs of text

showcases your placement experience and any additional work or volunteer experience you might have.

An example of a combination CV is given on page 30 of “The Trinity Careers Service Guide” but see the website for other formats.

CVs for overseas employment

When applying for a job overseas, ensure the style and content are appropriate for that country. Access the ‘Going Global’ website resource from www.tcd.ie/careers for relevant samples.

Your personal circumstances

If you are a mature student, a student with a disability, someone who repeated a year, or if you have some other consideration, your careers adviser is here to assist you in presenting your experience to its full potential. Make an appointment by calling the office on 01 896 1721 or emailing [email protected].

Make sure to answer the recruiter’s key question: ‘Why should I call you to interview?’ Always compose a new letter specifically for each job and tailor it to show you researched the organisation you are applying to.

The standard format of the covering letter, no longer than one sheet of A4 paper, is as follows:

The opening paragraph explains who you are and why you are writing (include the work/postgraduate course for which you are applying for).

The second paragraph indicates why you are suitable and interested in this opportunity . Demonstrate an understanding of what the job/course is likely to involve by highlighting relevant achievements, qualities and experience. Mention your experience of being on placement in that hospital if applicable.

Use the covering letter to explain any recent gaps or anomalies in your CV.

The concluding paragraph summarises your suitability and looks for an opportunity to meet with the recruiter.

Remember to type or print your name underneath your signature, if applying in hard copy.

Address the letter to a particular person by name.

Finally, seek feedback on draft forms, letters or CVs from your careers adviser, supervisors and mentors.

The Careers Advisory Service website www.tcd.ie/careers has information on how to prepare your CV and covering letter as well as links to relevant websites.

1. Personal details:

Keep them brief and make sure they don’t take up too much space, for example why not put your email address & mobile number in the header. Your name should be what jumps out at the reader followed by your interesting Career Objective, degree & experience.

2. Career objective / personal profile (optional)

This identifies in a concise way what you are aiming for at this stage and what skills and qualities you have to offer in relation to your objective. It is useful to confirm your interest in a specific job or target a particular employment sector.

3. Education & Clinical Placements

Give the full title of your degree, awarding body and expected / average result to date.

Give the title of your project/thesis and elaborate if relevant.

Detail your clinical placements by date, hospital name and key learnings.

Put your most recent placement first.

You can include your Leaving Certificate results if you wish but keep them brief.

Refer to achievements, skills or learning outcomes you have gained from your studies & placements.

4. Additional experience (including voluntary, interests and achievements)

Begin with the most recent job / voluntary experience.

Employers can be interested in any work experience, if it showcases transferable skills.

Give evidence of what you have achieved and how you have made a difference. Did you take on extra responsibilities? What did you learn? Did you receive training?

Present your interests, voluntary work, involvement in clubs and societies as you do your work experience; this gives it value.

Appropriate use of language is important. Positive words and action verbs should be used, e.g. ‘Managed...’ rather than ‘Left in charge of...’.

Provide details of how you reached decisions, planned activities and worked with others to achieve results.

5. Referees

Get permission before you use someone as a referee and include one academic referee and one work-related referee (or a second academic if applying for a postgraduate programme). Include name, job title, address, email and telephone number. Brief your referees on the position(s) you are applying for so that they provide evidence of the skills you have mentioned in your CV.

M aking a good impression is key. You have done all the hard work to get to this stage, now follow a few simple guidelines to ensure you put your best foot forward. If you would like to have a trial

run and are interested in booking in for a Practice Interview with us, just drop us a line on [email protected] or 01 896 1271.

1. Be Early It will mean you are not stressed and therefore help you to make

a good impression

2. Phone Off Very important to be

professional

3. Smile As soon as you enter the

building give people a warm smile and full eye contact

4. Firm Handshake It shows you are confident and

professional in a business environment

5. Know their Business Do as much research on the

hospital or organisation before hand, even if they don’t quiz

you on it, it’ll give you confidence

6. Know the Role Show that you understand what

they are looking for and highlight things you have done or are interested in that match

up

7. Body Language Be confident and open in your posture – no crossed arms or slouched shoulders!

8. Listen Make sure to listen to the question in

order to stay on track with your answer. It’s fine to clarify exactly what they

meant if you’re not sure

9. Use practiced examples Don’t try and come up with examples on the spot; come prepared with a number of stories that show

off your skills (See STAR framework overleaf)

10. Conclude Through asking a question or summarising your

enthusiasm make sure to conclude the interview confidently and leave the interviewers aware of

how keen you are for the job!

Be a STAR candidate

A useful framework to help you with answering competency questions at interview is the STAR approach.

Having a number of these ‘STAR’ examples going into the interview, each one showing off a different competency will really show off your skills. If you get a ‘leadership’ question, for example ‘Can you tell me about a time when you have really drawn upon your leadership skills?’, you can utilise your ‘STAR’ Leadership story... Have one prepared for each competency you think is appropriate to the job you applying for, e.g. Teamwork, Communication etc.

Top tip: The best way to get your STAR examples tip top is to practice them out loud. Use a mirror, a friend or let us organise a ‘Practice Interview’ for you where we can let you watch yourself back on screen and give you tips for improving your style.

1. Situation - Paint a picture of the example you are going to use. What was the context? Describe the situation briefly

2. Task - What was your objective? What was the problem or challenge?

4. Result - What was the outcome and how did you improve the situation? What would you do differently the next time?

3. Action - What actions did you take to achieve your goal? Be explicit about your role and the skills used. This is where you will score the points so be clear and succinct about what you did!

Many student nurses are inspired by organisations such as the Red Cross, whose medical staff work in difficult conditions to provide essential care for the victims of armed conflict. But how do you go from being a young graduate to saving lives in a war zone? Amanda Baumgartner-Henley, Head Nurse at the International Committee of the Red Cross, shares her story.

‘I always wanted to be a nurse, since I was a little girl. After finished my training I decided to specialise in Operating Theatre Nursing and it was several years later, when I visited India and Lebanon with a surgeon, that I became really interested in working overseas,’ she explains.

With this in mind, Amanda undertook a Diploma in Tropical Nursing at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and then gained further experience as an agency nurse in London.

‘This gave me excellent exposure to areas such as burns, obstetrics, pediatrics and trauma surgery, all of which would prove to be very relevant for working in conflict affected areas,’ she says.

Her first job with the ICRC was as a theatre nurse in Lokichoggio, Kenya, where the organisation had set up a field hospital to care for the war-wounded from neighbouring Sudan. There were around 600 patients and she was overseeing three surgical teams as well as being responsible for training South Sudanese nursing students.

One of her abiding memories is of delivering a baby that she was sure would be stillborn.

‘The baby’s arm was out, but the rest of the body was stuck. The mother had been in labour for several days and was exhausted. After we got the child out by C-section, I was holding her in my arms, sure that she was dead. I’ll never forget seeing a tiny movement around her mouth – I was so surprised I nearly dropped her!’

Nursing in such harsh environments is certainly demanding.

‘Water, electricity – the entire basic infrastructure – can be extremely limited. You have to think about your personal security and that of your local counterparts. You might not share a common language and have to work with an interpreter. Then there are the cultural challenges to take on board. Yet despite all of these differences, the basic nursing skills are the same.’

Getting a job with the ICRC takes time and planning. The organisation doesn’t employ fresh graduates, as their staffs need to be able to shoulder a large amount of responsibility from the start. So if you’re interested in working for the ICRC, you’ll need to gain several years of experience first within a specialisation such as OT, surgical ward, emergency room, paediatrics or midwifery. Candidates who have worked in developing countries for other organisations, such as Médecins sans Frontières, will be at a distinct advantage. A Diploma or MSc in Tropical Nursing is also highly desirable.

You can expect to spend long periods of time away from home and living conditions can be limited. But you’ll have the chance to help some of the most disadvantaged people in the world. Amanda certainly wouldn’t have it any other way

‘It’s an absolute privilege to do this job,’ she says.

Congratulations to all on your impending Graduation!Congratulations to all on your impending Graduation!

Nurse on Call have unlimited opportunities for Nurse on Call have unlimited opportunities for

Newly Qualified Nurses and Midwives nationwide.Newly Qualified Nurses and Midwives nationwide.

RGN’s Surgical, Medical, ED, ICU, CCU & Theatre etc.

RM’s Neonatal, Perinatal, Delivery Suite & Gynae etc.

RNID’s Residential Adults, Adolescents, Children & Day Services.

RCN’s Surgical, Medical, ED, ICU, & Theatre etc.

RPN’s Acute Mental Health, Residential & Gerontology.

We have ad hoc shifts, temporary and permanent placements to suit all.

Work around your lifestyle, be in charge of your own work schedule.

Try our different locations and settings to gain experience in different aspects of

nursing.

Walk in interviews no appointment necessary Mon – Fri 8am-5pm.

Head office 16 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 (just down from Coppers) or check out our

website for other locations for interviews.

CONTACT OUR HR TEAM ON 01 496511 (OPTION 3)

OR EMAIL: [email protected]

Visit our website—www.nurseoncall.ie

Blog: blogs.tcd.ie/careers/

Facebook: facebook.com/TCD.Careers.Service

LinkedIn: tinyurl.com/LinkedIn-TCD-Connecting

Twitter: twitter.com/TCDCareers

Pinterest: pinterest.com/TCDCareers

Q. How did you feel coming up to the end of your final year in Nursing?

Very nervous because I wasn't sure what I wanted or where I wanted to work or what area I actually liked in nursing. But then I realised that where I chose to work now I don't have to work forever and I can move around to different jobs if I find a certain area doesn't suit me or if I get a particular interest in something. Ultimately, this job now is just a stepping stone to help build my confidence and gain experience.

Q. What was your experience with applying for jobs and interviews?

Very positive experience of job interviews. Everyone is always very nice and they don't ask very difficult questions but just want to ascertain that you would be safe to work in their hospital. Just be prepared. Ask lecturers or ward managers the kind of questions they would ask in an interview and build up a portfolio of possible questions.

Q. How did you make your decision on which job to choose or where to apply?

I wanted somewhere very busy with high turn over of patients and an area that had different specialities where I could gain experience. Also wanted to be in a children's only hospital but that's just a personal preference.

Q. Would you like to do anything different next year or in the future?

I will go travelling after about two years. Would like to go back and do a masters maybe. I wouldn't see myself working on the wards forever as a staff nurse. Would be really interested in education and maybe tutoring or even nurse facilitator

Q. Have you any advice for current final years?

Don't get bogged down about where you're going to work and who you're going to be working with. Don't listen to others people’s opinions on different hospitals and different areas. Choose somewhere that would suit you.

Don't settle for somewhere you're not happy in. If it's not what you want don't just take it for the sake of having a job. There are loads of jobs out there and everywhere is looking for nurses; take a job on your terms.

Step out of your comfort zone - taking that first big step is a start of a great career and don't look back and have any regrets. Even if that means going and working somewhere where you know no one and with none of your friends. It may seem difficult at the start but it will be well worth it.

The change from intern to staff nurse is a big change

and no matter where you work you will feel extra pressure and responsibility. Anyone that I have talked to says it can take 6-12 months before you really settle into this role. But all areas have great support with great ward managers, CPCs and clinical nurse facilitators as well amazing ward staff who all remember what is what like when they stepped onto the ward no longer the student in the protection of the white uniform but as the staff nurse in blue. It is daunting at the start but soon you will really get into the swing of things.

1) How did you feel coming up to the end of your final year in Nursing?

Coming up to the end, I suppose you have a clearer idea of where you'd like to work, in my case, I knew the wards definitely weren't for me. I knew I didn't mind night shifts, I wasn't able for three long days in a row, and I was clear on my strengths and weaknesses. You just get more comfortable with yourself, and in your work. Towards the end, staff nurses start to ask where you're going to work, why you chose there and when you're going to finish. So, everyone knows exactly where you stand, and I found the atmosphere and relations more positive in work, as I neared the end of my student years. I can't say I felt nervous about transitioning to staff nurse, I had seen the support given to newly qualified students before. Ultimately, I made a pact with myself never to do something I'm not comfortable with doing alone, to ask questions where I am unsure, and to read up on things I encountered that I wasn't 100% familiar with or confident in. I've found doing that has made the gap between intern and newly qualified staff nurse a far smaller gap to jump! Genuinely, all the staff nurses just want you to practice safely, so nothing is expected of you that's beyond your experience. They'd prefer it done correctly with help than incorrectly alone, and I do find staff appreciate honesty and questions. It shows you care about executing your work safely, adequately and in timely fashion, and that makes you a better team member for them to work with.

2) What was your experience of applying for jobs and interviews?

You are so lucky! There are so many jobs out there. I went to 3 different interviews, for 3 different hospitals, for 3 different areas of work, and got them all! The hard part was picking a place to work, and the great thing is, you can afford to be picky. Pick the place that pays best, that has clinical facilitators, lots of training, permanency and a good name internationally. Pick the wrong one, it doesn't matter. I did. I fell in love with A&E during my internship there, and yet chose to work in Paediatric ICU. It only took 3 days of orientation to realise I'd made a mistake, and I was transferred to the A&E. Hospitals would rather move you than lose you where feasible, and yes I may have gotten lucky, but you're only young in your careers. Learning what's not for you is just as, if not more important for your future. There are so many

resources available in college regarding CV and interview prep. I went to a day lead by CPCs in Tallaght, early into internship, as part of my reflective module, and it was brilliant. Be smiley, be nice, be confident, be on time & know your 5 moments for hand hygiene! I'd recommend going over some college notes relevant to the care you'll be giving in the area you're applying to. Basically, do your homework, because the interviewers can tell! I started applying in May for jobs and processes started as early as that so get applying early. Also, start collecting those certificates of attendance to talks/training days as Continual professional development is all the rage, and so are the new, improved rights of medication administration on the NMBI website. Hint hint!

3) How did you make a decision on which job to choose or where to apply?

I knew I found children's more enjoyable, so I applied for The NCH, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, and the NICU in the Coombe. Those hospitals were close to where I lived and relevant to my interests throughout my training. In my general, I preferred surgical to medical wards. I just found it a little more structured. Then in my children's internship, I learned that I was happier in the ED than I was on the wards. I liked meeting 100 kids in a day. I liked the nursing duties vs all the time spent on the phone and documenting on the wards. I liked the adrenaline of an emergency and the self directed learning required to keep up with all the new presentations you encounter everyday. Now, I couldn't imagine going to work in a ward. Everyone is different though. I went to an open day in Great Ormond Street, but had already set my heart on emergency nursing, and they don't have an ED. I chose Crumlin, as they have clinical facilitators (teachers) for each ward or department, and a newly qualified nurse transition programme for support. I am now one of 45 new nurses to that hospital in the last month, so I don't feel so alone. Some people benefit from staying in their 'mother' hospital for 6 months to a year after qualifying. I don't disagree that this has some confidence building aspects! But I've always been the type to love a challenge and scare the living day lights out of myself for the sake of growth, so I took the leap to change hospitals and I have no regrets. Now I know I can do it for whenever I choose to work abroad.

Useful Links

An Bord Altranais (www.nursingboard.ie) has functions in many areas relating to nursing from training to ethics from events to research

Psychiatric Nurses Association (www.pna.ie) provide relevant information on working in mental health nursing

HSE (www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs/job_search/nursing/)

Nursing jobs Ireland (www.nursejobsireland.com) provides information on recruitment

International Council of Nurses (www.icn.ch/en/) operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality nursing care for all and sound health policies globally.

Vault Career intelligence (www.vault.com/search-results?q=nursing) provides information on recruitment drives and information on nursing.

cpl (www.cpl.ie) recruitment website.

CAREER PLANNING

Careers Report (Gradireland.com/careers-report)

Profiling for Success (www.tcd.ie/Careers/

profiling_for_success/) online personality &

ability assessment

4) Would you like to do anything different next year or in the future?

Next year, I plan on still being in the ED in Crumlin. The teaching is so good that I'd like to get the benefits until 2017 before jetting off to the sun. I think in Australia I'll do some shifts in the adults A&E, to keep one foot in general nursing too. I went to an open day for Healthcare Australia recently and the ratio of nurses to patients seems reassuring! When I come back I plan on doing the Children's ED post grad and maybe if I'm still going I'll do the masters eventually. But I do feel I'm due a bit of fun in the sun before hopping into another course!

5) Have you any advice for current finalists?

Start teaching your junior colleagues, the students below you, now, in your internship. I still meet some I've worked with today and it's heart warming to be remembered as a great help. Plus when you qualify, students are yours to work with, even if you feel you've got a lot to learn yourself, so start early. You know more than you think, - you'll never believe it, but you do. I'm amazed at some of the work I did during my internship; I'd be terrified to spend a day in a general ward now. You are brilliant and you don't get enough thanks.

You get what you give, so spend some free time, an hour in the evenings, reading up on that disease you didn't have a clue of, or that drug you had to look up in the BNF. It all adds up, until one day, you just know these things and rarely have to do a double take…

Take a break before you start as staff nurse, don't feel pressured into starting ASAP or pre reg nursing. I didn't and still landed where I am now. Go on a nice holiday with your internship money (a few bob more than what years before you got!) And push yourself grades wise. I never thought I could get a first until I seriously knuckled down in 4th year and raised my average. My graduation was last week and the pride I felt was worth every pen I wasted writing notes!

Finally, ask questions now, don't be afraid it's stupid or that they expect you to already know it. Tie up the loose ends while you still have the student life jacket on! Best of luck, I look forward to working with you.

www.tcd.ie/Careers

The Careers Advisory Service (CAS) offers a range of services and resources to assist students and

recent graduates in preparing for, making, and implementing informed decisions about their future

careers.

MEETING ALUMNI & EMPLOYERS

Careers Talks Employer Fairs Recruiter in Residence Employer led workshops GradLink Mentoring Coffee Chats

FINDING JOBS

Short-term, part-time, Work Experience & Internships (WE&I), Graduate and Research jobs advertised daily

online

POSTGRADUATE STUDY

Personal Statements for Postgraduate Study workshop

PG Study talks on applying & finding funding

ONLINE

Up to the minute jobs, funding, events and careers information

CAREER GUIDANCE

Confidential one-to-one meeting with your Careers Consultant

GUIDANCE TOOLS

Web-based tools to help sort through your options and focus on what suits you

CLASS WORKSHOPS

Discipline specific sessions with your Careers Adviser

JOB SKILLS WORKSHOPS

Career Planning CVs to impress Interview success! How to get the most out of LinkedIn (includes

Networking)

CV / LINKEDIN CLINIC

Weekly drop-in clinics

PRACTICE INTERVIEW

Book a practice run for your next interview

Sarah Jones

Careers Consultant

Careers Advisory Service

2nd Floor, 7-9 South Leinster St

Trinity College, Dublin 2

01 896 1721/1705

[email protected] www.tcd.ie/Careers

CAREERS WEEK

An opportunity to meet employers and start your job search

POSTGRAD FOCUS

Practical tips on applying for postgrad

careers advisory service options nursing

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