What are Hiring Managers Looking for in New Nurse Graduates?
By Melissa Wirkus, associate editor Although the nursing shortage has created openings at facilities across the country, the current economic climate has kept more experienced nurses in the workforce and made securing a nursing job a little more competitive. As a new nurse graduate it is important to prime yourself to be the best candidate possible, as positions at the best hospitals and programs always fill quickly. In order to stand out from the rest of the candidates, new nurses need to do their research, prepare for the interview and let their confidence and clinical knowledge shine through. Here, nurse leaders share their insider secrets on what hospitals are really looking for in new nursing school graduates. Characteristics of a Caretaker Kimberly Horton, MSN, RN, FNP, DHA, vice president and chief nursing officer at Mercy Hospital and Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield, California, said that hiring managers look at personality and critical thinking skills when hiring new g
