Nursing Career Prep Course

From graduation to hired: A grounded guide to launching your nursing career.

Created byLauren Traveller

Last updated 7/2025

English

What you'll learn

Create a personalized career game plan, ace job hunting, and craft standout resumes and cover letters to land your ideal nursing job.
Gain the confidence to ace interviews, advocate for yourself, and actually understand your job benefits as you step into your role.
Build strong professional connections and learn authentic, effective networking to boost your career.
Set yourself up for a successful and sustainable nursing career with strategies for work-life balance, financial clarity, and professional maintenance.

Course content

9 sections • 77 lectures • 10h 46m total length

Managing your time & tasks with the SUCCESS SYLLABUS4:18
There is an option to use Trello as the foundation for managing all the content, tasks, and actions as you go through the course. This is optional but a very helpful tool especially if you are someone who likes to use checklists and similar type resources to stay on track.

Step #1 - Create a Free Trello Account (link below)
Step #2 - Get the Course Guide (link below)
Tips for success5:16
*No longer a live course so ignore the reference to live calls/Q&A.
Tools & Resources7:18
Sign up for Canva HERE

Clarifying your personal career path6:51
Design your ideal life6:05
Knowing yourself1:30
Your strengths & unique gifts4:50
Tools for identifying your strengths7:57
Here's a list of assessments (both free & paid) that you can use to evaluate your strengths in addition to some resources that help explain them further.
Download the RESOURCE LIST for the tools discussed.
Your desires, passions, & interests (knowing your why)8:24
Your mission & values9:16
Life is Good: To spread the power of optimism.
Microsoft: to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
Coca-cola: To inspire moments of optimism and happiness
IKEA: To create a better everyday life for the many people.
JetBlue: To inspire humanity – both in the air and on the ground.
AARP: To enhance quality of life for all as we age.
Slack: Make work life simpler, more pleasant and more productive.
USO: Lifting the spirits of America’s troops and their families.

Finding alignment11:45
Picking the right jobs for you5:43
Finding opportunities8:06
New nurse specific job opportunities7:13
Doing the job search16:07
Making the search easier w/ automations10:44
Opportunities through connections6:13
Action step:
Who is someone in your life who could help or might be able to connect you with someone?
When will you reach out to this person and how?
Understanding job descriptions & job posts14:20
Reviewing real nurse job postings17:48

How & why you need to market yourself3:54
Resume strategy9:03
Resume content18:17
Here we cover what needs to be included in your resume and what it should look like and convey to make sure you have a good understanding of what goes in there so you have this skill for life.
Download the resources to assist with your resume content. *You will find the resume template options in the next sections along with an overview about how to edit the template.*

Use the following options to guide your resume job descriptions...
Possible items to include in job descriptions for resume:
Keywords from job description that align with experience
Setting worked in/Patient demographics
Important details about setting and/or company (e.g., Magnet, etc.)
EMR/EHR used
Medications administered
Equipment used
Special achievements/awards/recognitions
Projects initiated/managed/involved in
Resume appearance10:44
The resume template & how to edit it9:09
Watch the video to get an overview of how to edit the resume content and create your resume (using Canva).
There are also endless templates and version in Microsoft Word and Google docs depending on what you have access to that you could search for and use. The template is not as important as understanding the content. We are discussing the whats and whys in this section so you have an understanding of the foundations and reasoning regardless of the template you choose to use.

*Make sure you have reviewed how to write your credentials in the Understanding Nursing Credentials module.
Example Resume Review7:48
Cover letter strategy4:55
Cover letter content9:12
Providing professional references during application process4:27
Watch the video to get an overview of how to edit and write up your references through the template in the downloads in this section.

*When I refer to the "pretty" version, I'm speaking to the professional PDF vs submitting plain old data entry inside of an application/resume system.
The application process5:43
*If you enter your information manually into an application system, use your resume to copy and paste what you've written up for your tailored resume to use for this specific position.
Managing your online presence3:17
Resources to improve your applications3:33
Use the Job Application Resources card in the main course checklist (in Trello).
Managing your job applications8:15
Use the Nursing Job Application Tracker card in the main course checklist (in Trello).
Candidate evaluation2:04
Candidate evaluation tools, especially ones that look at qualities & characteristics are often used more for information about you and not necessarily an indicator of whether or not you will get a position.
On the other hand, competency-based tools such as critical thinking or skills evaluations (e.g., nursing related math) are used in determining a minimum level of competency and abilities necessary for a position and may therefore carry greater weight towards impacting whether or not a candidate may proceed forward in the hiring process. This is similar to the concept of the HESI exam (and other similar assessments) that you likely completed before nursing school.

Elevating your interview skills with the right preparation16:49
Guide to Preparing for the Interview (download in resources)
Can also use the Interview Prep Checklist card in the Trello board.
Doing your research3:43
Do some research on the organization you're interviewing with...
What do they do?
What are their mission/vision/values? You are looking for things you can use to connect to during interview.
What do you genuinely like/admire about them?
Are you able to look up the person/people interviewing you?
Resources to help: the company's website and/or social profiles, news sources, Glassdoor.com*, any contacts you have, a general google search)
This research also helps you answer the "why you do you want to work here" and "why do you want this position" kind of questions.
*Tip: You can even find types of questions other people have been asked during their interviews at that company on Glassdoor.com.
Preparing your “about you”3:37
Common questions3:20
I can't possibly cover everything you could potentially be asked. Interviews can range from a lengthy structured process with a panel of multiple people at one time to an easy-going one-on-one conversation with hardly any questions. So…
know your CV
have a solid pulse on your skills (especially if you have already been working as a nurse) so you can highlight them as needed and adjust your responses according to the needs of the interview
There is a PDF of the common questions to use as needed. A great option to print and practice.
There is a Google doc option for you to edit. The version is handy to keep an editable version where you enter and keep your answers to study or practice.
Situational (application) questions7:32
What are your stories for...
Difficulty with patient
Difficulty with a coworker/boss
Time you failed
Problem you solved
Greatest accomplishment
Time you made a mistake
Time when you went above & beyond
Biggest failure
A way in which you "made a someone's day"
DOWNLOAD the resource to guide you through many common and possible application questions you may encounter.
Strengths & Weaknesses7:28
Where do you see yourself in ___ years?2:09
Ponder on your goals/aspirations for:
Short-term (1-3 years)
Mid-term (3-5 years)
Long-term (5-10 years)
Now connect how your goals/aspirations align with the job your interviewing for...there's your answer to this question.
During the interview21:12
Illegal interview questions3:53
Bad interview questions8:15
Questions to ask prospective employers5:46
Follow up after the interview2:02
Use the templates in the downloads/resources. This is also a great task to have AI help you with. Just make sure that you understand what and why regarding the content you want in there.

Use the Post-interview follow-up card in the checklist board to help you with this.
Interview outcomes & job offer process6:10

Professional responsibilities, growth & development0:46
Maintaining your license4:30
Professional expenses14:27
Malpractice & other legal stuff19:37
Professional organizations/affiliations4:19
There are so many professional organizations for nurses. There are more generalized ones (e.g., ANA) and there are many specialized ones too.
The following is a list of options available so you can what exists: https://nurse.org/orgs.shtml
Understanding nursing credentials7:37
Article explaining this further in downloads.
Time off7:02
Being your own advocate at work3:10
Your digital footprint/employee monitoring6:17
Quitting & changing jobs4:45
Future career options1:45
Getting familiar with employee benefits3:21
Intro to Nursing Compensation7:12
Pay discussions/negotiations13:48
Types of pay/compensation8:41
Use the benefits guide along with this video.
Professional costs7:32
Use the benefits guide along with this video.
Reimbursements & Assistance5:25
Use the benefits guide along with this video.
Health & Other insurances10:54
Use the benefits guide along with this video.
Savings plans & "retirement" options18:34
Use the benefits guide along with this video.
Work Schedules12:10
Use the benefits guide along with this video.
Leave time7:40
Use the benefits guide along with this video.
Other perks & benefits5:24
Use the benefits guide along with this video.

Setting up your own file system3:09
You will need to create your own copy to be able to use them. Follow these instructions (also demonstrated in the video):
1. Download the files in the attached resources (they automatically download as a zipped file).
2. Open & extract the files on your computer.
3. Drag & drop into your own cloud system (Google drive, Dropbox, etc.) or use on desktop/computer. Cloud based is ideal so you can access them from any device any time you need them (both to access or upload new things).
System for managing your career portfolio22:29
Planning for professional development requirements8:41
Determine your CE requirements from:
Board of Nursing
Employer
Certifying agencies for additional credentials (e.g., CPN)

Requirements

This course is designed for those on a nursing career path who are transitioning out of nursing school and into the working world—whether you're weeks from graduation or already holding your license and asking “what now?”

Description

You did the thing. You finished nursing school, passed the NCLEX (or you're about to), and now you're standing at the edge of a whole new world—where you're expected to write a resume, apply for jobs, prep for interviews, understand benefits, negotiate offers, and show up like you’ve got it all together…when really, you’re just trying to breathe.

This course was made for that moment.

Because launching a career shouldn’t require an emotional breakdown.

Nursing Career Prep Course is a clear, grounded, and (dare we say enjoyable) guide to launching your nursing career—without the chaos spiral. It’s equal parts real-world strategy and nervous system-friendly navigation.

We’ll cover the full journey with step-by-step support from graduation to starting the job: gaining clarity around your career direction, aligning with the jobs you actually want (not just the ones you think you have to take), writing resumes and cover letters that sound like you, preparing for interviews (minus the freaking out), and getting started with confidence—legally, emotionally, and professionally.

Whether you’re a brand-new nurse or a soon-to-be grad, this course will help you launch your career in a way that’s aligned, sustainable, and true to who you are.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being prepared—and staying grounded while you do it.

There’s no one-size-fits-all path—but there is a map.

Start your career with clarity, not collapse.

Who this course is for:

Fresh Nursing Grads – Just finished your degree and ready to start your nursing career.
Nursing Students – Graduation is near, and you want to hit the ground running.
Career Switchers – Moving into nursing from another field and need a real-world roadmap for the world of nursing.
Newly Licensed Nurses: Just passed your exams and looking for your first job.
Nurses Seeking a Boost – Ready to sharpen the job search, interviewing, and career skills that nursing school didn’t cover.

Nursing Career Prep Course

What you'll learn

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Course content

[START HERE] Orientation3 lectures • 17min

LEARN THE MAP: clarity on the full career-start process2 lectures • 33min

CREATE YOUR COMPASS: develop a career compass that aligns for you7 lectures • 45min

NAVIGATE & NURTURE YOUR NETWORK: confidence in accessing support and opportunity4 lectures • 53min

ALIGN YOUR JOURNEY: identify and evaluate job opportunities that align9 lectures • 1hr 38min

MARKET YOURSELF: become a compelling applicant for greater opportunities14 lectures • 1hr 40min

ELEVATE YOUR SKILLS: prepare for & excel in job interviews13 lectures • 1hr 32min

OPTIMIZE YOUR FUTURE: navigate job onboarding and professional obligations22 lectures • 2hr 55min

ORGANIZE YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE: systems for managing your professional life3 lectures • 34min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: