What advice do you have for students as they prepare for their nursing career search?
Keep an open mind about the search for your first nursing position. Apply to areas that genuinely interest you, understanding that no matter where you land, you’ll gain skills that will benefit your career. Learn as much as you can by shadowing and asking questions to find the right specialty in pediatrics for you.
Does Akron Children’s hire new grad nurses?
Absolutely! As a teaching and Magnet hospital with an accredited residency program for nurses, we love bringing new, BSN-prepared graduates on board!
What do you recommend candidates wear for an interview?
Candidates should dress professionally for all interviews. For virtual interviews, candidates should be in a quiet setting with their cameras on, if possible.
What does the selection process look like for Akron Children’s?
The nurse recruiter will contact potential candidates via email for a phone interview as the initial step in the selection process. Applicants will be notified by the recruiter via email or phone if the hiring manager for the unit has requested an in-person or virtual interview. Once the hiring manager interview is conducted, any shadows/observations/additional interviews are scheduled for the final candidates, and a hiring decision is made shortly afterwards. All candidates not chosen for the position will receive an email stating so at the close of the position. Please visit our Hiring Process page for more details.
Are there specific units which new grads should apply to?
Typically speaking, the nurse recruiter will indicate on the job posting that experience is required for that specific position. Most of our units are open to new grads, though Critical Care and Emergency Services do strongly prefer experienced nurses.
Any specific interview questions you recommend students prepare to answer?
We use the Behavioral Based Interviewing method, which relies heavily on past experience. Candidates should be able to answer questions thoroughly by providing a specific situation, action and end result for each competency the recruiter requests. Candidates should know why they’re interested in pediatrics and the unit or role they’ve applied for.
What are some questions you recommend students should ask in an interview?
Students should always ask specifics about the unit, including unit orientation and schedule, types of patients, average nurse to patient ratio, certifications needed, etc. It’s great to ask these questions during the recruiter and hiring manager interviews to ensure you fully understand the position’s expectations.
Do you have a nurse residency program?
Yes, we have a one-year transition to practice program, which all new registered nurses with less than one year of nursing experience are enrolled in upon hire. Our program received national accreditation in 2018 and 2021! It provides each nurse resident with a preceptor for clinical support through orientation, a facilitator and peer support group to ease the transition to the nurse’s new role, structured educational experiences designed to develop competence in nursing practice, simulation experiences, and support in incorporating research-based evidence linked to outcomes in practice.