UK HealthCare Career Center

Since 2011, the UK Nursing Career Center has helped many nurses, nursing care technicians and staff members grow in their health care careers. Building on that success, the program has expanded to offer a broad range of career services to all health professionals, including respiratory, occupational and physical therapy; speech-language pathology; social work; pharmacy; radiologic technology; and laboratory sciences.

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UK BSN students

If you are a UK BSN student, you will want to take advantage of the weekly group sessions. These are offered during the fall and spring semesters, as well as during the summer.  To sign up, please email Sue H. Strup, MSEd, MSN at sue.strup@uky.edu. 

Group resume and cover letter writing sessions: These group sessions are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday. Bring a draft of your updated resume and cover letter to the group session. You can have your questions answered and leave with a critique worksheet to help you fine-tune your resume for your upcoming job search. This information will also include out-of-state job searches and how to develop a targeted resume for various specialty nursing positions, such as pediatrics, emergency department, ICUs or oncology.

Group interviewing strategies sessions: These group sessions meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Wednesday. You will discuss interview etiquette, how to dress for success, how to prepare for behavioral-based interview questions, what questions you will want to ask a Patient Care Manager, and much more.   

Monthly Nursing Lunch and Learn Workshops: These workshops are open to all UK HealthCare nurses, nurse administrators, Nursing Care Technicians (NCTs), UK College of Nursing students and UK HealthCare staff members who want to explore various career opportunities, degree completion and graduate schools. They’re offered at 11:30 a.m. on the third Thursday of every month in UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. Registration is free and available for the first 25 participants by emailing Sue Strup at sue.strup@uky.edu.

View current UK Job Postings for all UK HealthCare nurses, nurse administrators, Nursing Care Technicians (NCTs), UK College of Nursing students and UK HealthCare staff members. We offer assistance for all phases of a career.

Summer Student Nurse Programs (After the Junior Year)

Summer student nurse programs are structured programs for BSN students in between the junior and senior year that will typically last 6-10 weeks. Academic credit may be offered for the experience as well as financial compensation. Some summer programs may have a theme (e.g. pediatrics, critical care, etc.), while most are more general, allowing you to get experience in multiple types of nursing settings. Many students enjoy summer programs because they help clarify future nursing career goals, and often lead to a nursing care technician position, which may lead to a full-time RN position after graduation.

Summer student nurse programs are usually competitive. It is recommended that you do a summer job search or plan to continue any student nurse positions you already have in addition to applying to summer nurse externship programs. There are many names for summer nurse externship positions including nurse externships, nurse internships, nurse academic practicums, nursing student fellows program, etc. Applying for summer student nurse programs include writing a professional cover letter and resume, and completing the applications in their entirety and supplying the required number of recommendation letters.

The majority of hospitals in the country do not offer nurse externships but many Academic Medical Centers such as UK HealthCare, Indiana University Health, University of Louisville Hospitals, etc., do. Other hospitals hire nursing students as nursing care technicians, nurse's aides, nursing assistants, etc. For many hospitals with nurse externship programs, starting in the externship is a way to make connections that may lead to a full time position after graduation. Deadlines are also specific to each hospital, with most applications due in mid winter quarter for a summer program. Here are just a small sample of Nurse Externships/Academic Practicums/Internships/Nurse Fellowships that we found:

• University of Kentucky Student Nurse Academic Practicum (SNAP) 
• Baptist Health Student Nurse Practicums
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital - Information about the Summer Nurse Externship program is available by emailing: nurses4kids@cchmc.org  
• Indiana University Health Patient Care Internships for Nursing Students
• Kentucky One Health Student Nurse Externships
• Norton Healthcare Student Nurse Externships
• Ohio State University Medical Center Student Nurse Associate (SNA) Positions
• UofL Hospital Nurse Extern Program
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center Observation Opportunities
• Veterans Administration Hospital Nurse Externships (VALOR)

UK HealthCare and the College of Nursing offer many options for continuing education including the residency program, the only one in the state and one of only a few in the country to be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Review all our educational opportunities by visiting Nurse Recruitment and the College of Nursing. 

Education Fair

The UK HealthCare Nursing and Health Sciences Education Fair will be Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at UK Chandler Hospital Pavilion A, Ground Floor. 25 nursing and health profession programs will be in attendance to discuss applications, scholarships, degree programs including ADN, RN to BSN, MSN, DNP, Ph.D., BS completion, OT, PT, Radiologic Technology and more.

Learn more about the event. 

If you missed the Nursing and Health Sciences Education Fair in Fall 2018, you can still access the UK Education Fair Directory below. The directory lists the nursing schools, public health, MBA and allied health programs that attended including type of program (ADN, LPN to RN, RN to BSN, MSN, Ph.D/DNP, MPH, MBA, etc.), online vs. traditional classroom, name of admissions contact, websites and more.

Lunch and Learn Workshops

During the academic year, the UK HealthCare Career Center hosts various career planning workshops and speakers who share educational programs and career-related information. The workshops typically last 30-45 minutes with time available for Q&A. Free lunch and drinks are often provided. Registration is highly encouraged.

To register please email: Sue H. Strup, MSEd, MSN at sue.strup@uky.edu.

To review past Lunch and Learn presentations on RN to BSN programs, Advanced Practice Nursing Programs, "Hot" Nursing Careers, Nursing Career Specialties, Career Planning Tools such as Writing a Resume, Cover Letter or Interviewing Tips and more, please visit: Past Lunch and Learn workshop presentations

Certifications

Visit our Nursing Certifications page for more information.

Other Nursing Programs in Kentucky

• LPN programs (PDF, 93 KB) 
• ADN programs (PDF, 156 KB) 
• RN to BSN programs 
• Master's Degree Nursing Leading to APRN Programs (PDF, 65 KB)
• DNP/APRN Programs (PDF, 55 KB)
• Post Master's DNP Programs (PDF, 51 KB)
• State Registered Nurse Assistant Certification Program 
• Accredited Nurse Anesthetist Programs 
• Accredited Nurse Practitioner Programs and other Advanced Practice Nursing Programs  

See the listing of all CRNA schools.

Other Health Careers

The UK College of Health Sciences offers a list of allied health career paths.

• UK College of Public Health
• UK Martin School of Public Policy and Administration

Learn about other available health career opportunities:

• Nursing 
• Allied health science professional 
• Physician Assistant
• Public health 
• Public administration 

General School Entrance Examinations and Test Preparation

• GRE Information and Test Prep 
• How to Study for the GRE
• GMAT Information for MBA schools 

Graduate School Applications

• Your Guide to Graduate Nursing Programs provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
• Writing a winning personal statement or essay for graduate school.
• Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School Applications: Nursing. Part 1 of 2
• Writing Personal Statements for Graduate School Applications: Nursing. Part 2 of 2
• Writing a Personal Statement for Graduate School
• Graduate School Checklist
• Miller Analogies Test information and test prep 

Financing Your Education

View this page for information about our scholarships. UK reimburses full-time employees for up to six credit hours of tuition fees per semester. You can view a copy of the policy that explains how to have your tuition prepaid each semester. This policy pertains to public colleges and universities in Kentucky. More information is available from the UK Employee Education Program. 

For assistance with tuition remission from UK to attend a private, ACEN or CCNE accredited college or university (such as Indiana Wesleyan University, Benedictine University, Bellarmine University, Midway College or Drexel University) can review the policy below.

Financing Your Education Policy

To receive a copy of the Nursing Tuition contract email Gloria Tyler, Operations Fiscal Affairs Manager at gstyle2@uky.edu. If you have any questions regarding these policies or procedures, please contact Gloria Tyler, by calling 859-323-8806 or emailing gstyle2@uky.edu.

If you are inquiring about nursing tuition payments, submitting a contract for payment, requesting reimbursement or payment for certification exams, or requesting information regarding any other nursing program payment please e-mail nursingpayments@uky.edu. This is a shared monitored e-mail and responses will be provided as soon as possible and will handled in the order in which they are received. Gloria Tyler in UK Nursing Fiscal Affairs will respond to all e-mails as soon as possible.

The resource area is inside the UK HealthCare Career Consultant's Office (room H-172) and is open every day (Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) for all UK HealthCare nurses, nurse administrators, Nursing Care Technicians (NCTs), UK College of Nursing students and UK HealthCare ancillary staff members to browse, obtain handouts and read various career planning materials. Information is available on:

• Educational opportunities
• Improving your resume and CV
• How to conduct a job search and interview
• Graduate schools
• RN to BSN programs
• Applications for RN to BSN program, MSN, DNP/Ph.D. programs
• Preparing for and taking the GRE or MAT
• Earning RN certification from more than 25 different programs
• Career planning handouts

Forget something for your interview? We can help! Pantyhose, neck ties, socks, safety pins, breath mints, hair accessories and lint brushes are available to help you make a good first impression. We want your interview to go smoothly.

Job Search and Networking Websites

• Sigma Theta Tau Job Board
• Indeed
• The Benefits of Using LinkedIn 
• Professional Nursing Associations 
• American Nurses Association Career Center 
• Vault 
• Nursing Career Information
• Nursing Salary Information
• Nursing Resume and Job Application Advice
• Interview Tips and Advice for Nurses
• NCLEX-RN Practice Test Questions with Rationale
• NCLEX-RN Exam Overview

Professional Associations

Learn about the benefits of joining a professional nursing association. 

• National Student Nurse Association 
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing 

Other Resources

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing 
• American Nurses Association 
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing

Career planning and job search

Career Planning Timeline Presentation (PPT, 3.5 MB)

Preparing for a Career Fair (PDF, 70 KB)

Job Searching Strategies (PDF, 113 KB)

Out of State Job Search Strategies

Job Search Action Plan Guide

Resume and CV guides

Resume Guide and Sample Resumes Presentation

Curriculum Vitae Format

Curriculum Vitae Draft

Family Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Chronological Resume Example

Experienced RN Resume with Clinical Leadership Focus

Nursing Student Resume Example

Experienced RN Resume Example

Experienced RN Seeking Management Positions Resume Example

Nursing Student Resume with Clinicals

Nursing Student Resume with a Targeted Focus

Nursing Care Technician Resume for non-nursing students

Experienced Health Professional with Leadership

Cover Letter Guide

Cover Letter Guide

Recent Graduate Cover Letter

Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter

Interview tips and strategies

Interview Guide / Information Presentation

Are you ready for your big interview? Checklist

Dress for Success

A Career Closet for Students - Wildcat Wardrobe

Informational Interview and Networking

Behavioral Based Interview Question Examples 

Thank you letter

Preparing a thank you letter

Preparing letters of recommendation

Preparing References: Reference template and a Sample reference letter.

Preparing a letter of resignation

Resignation letter 

Certified Nurse's Aide

You may be interested in becoming a Certified Nurse's Aide (SNRA) or Nursing Assistant while you are in nursing school to gain valuable skills while working under the guidance of a Registered Nurse. This also will allow you to network and establish a relationship with potential coworkers and professionals.

There are various titles for Nurse's Aide including Nursing Care Technicians (NCTs), Nurse's Aide, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Nurse Assistant. Employers such as academic medical centers like UK HealthCare, hospitals, home health care agencies, doctor's offices, laboratories, clinics or skilled nursing facilities hire nurse's aides.

Below are just a few of the Nurse's Aide educational programs offered in Kentucky, and in particular Lexington, Richmond and Louisville. The length of time and price will vary so it is imperative that you visit each program's website or call the program directly to find out availability, cost and online versus traditional courses. Once you have successfully completed a Kentucky state-approved training program, you will be eligible to sit for the Nurse's Aide Certification exam.

Find more information about becoming State Registered Nursing Assistant (SRNA) certified or the role of a Nurse's Aide.

Here are a sample of SRNA courses in Central Kentucky: 
University of Kentucky College of Nursing

Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)  

Emergency Medical Training Professions, Lexington. 
859-455-8438 
(Traditional SRNA courses offered during the week and on Saturdays)

Health Education Center of Louisville (online courses)
502-510-1363

KY Health Training LLC
859-963-2901 
(Traditional SRNA courses offered as well as online courses)

Nurses Aide Training School, Inc, Richmond, Ky.
(online and traditional course) 
859-624-4068

If you are interested in finding Nurse's Aide programs in rural or remote areas outside of Lexington, please call Denise Welch, with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services at 502-564-5707.

License and Renewal

The National Student Nurses Association offers help for preparing for licensure as a registered nurse.

The Kentucky Board of Nursing provides information about obtaining RN licensing, renewing a license plus other educational programs to finish your BSN, start back on your MSN, DNP and more. 

Shadowing Program

Shadowing professionals can be beneficial in deciding whether you’re a good fit for a career or workplace. Career Services provides the names of professionals who are willing to speak with others about their careers and experiences.

These individuals include:

• Nurse administrators
• Clinical nurse specialists (Acute care or Ambulatory care)
• Nurse practitioners (Acute care or Ambulatory care)
• Nurse educators (Staff development specialists, nurse educators or college faculty)
• Nurse researchers
• Nurses specializing in settings such as the operating room, PACU, ED, ICU, Behavioral Health, etc.
• Nurse recruiters
• Nurse anesthetists (CRNA)
• Pharmaceutical and medical equipment sales representatives
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Respiratory Therapists
• Pharmacists

See shadowing details »

If you are a nurse or health care professional with a specialization and would be interested in having a UK HealthCare nurse, nursing student or health care professional shadow you, please complete the form below.

Shadowing contact form »

UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital
1000 S. Limestone, Pavilion H-172 
Lexington KY 40536 
Call 859-323-3169 
Fax 859-257-5219 
Email sue.strup@uky.edu 

UK Good Samaritan Hospital
310 S. Limestone, Room C-012 
Lexington KY 40508 
Call 859-323-3169
Fax 859-257-5219
 

Mailing Address

UK HealthCare Career Center
UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital 
800 Rose St., H-172 
Lexington KY 40536

Hours of operation: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays  

8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (by appointment only) 

Sue H. Strup, MSEd, MSN

UK Career Consultant Sue H. Strup, MSEd, MSN, leads the center. Strup has more than 25 years of experience directing career centers at UK, Drexel University and Thomas Jefferson University. Prior to her work in career services, Strup served as a cardiac intensive care nurse at Indiana University Medical Center and as a nursing research assistant at the IU School of Nursing. She has taught hundreds of career planning workshops and seminars, led numerous presentations, and authored many career-related articles and publications.

To set up a one-to-one career coaching appointment, ask quick questions or discuss resume critiques and last-minute interview tips, contact Sue H. Strup, MSEd, MSN at sue.strup@uky.edu or 859-323-3169.

"Thanks to Sue H. Strup and the UK HealthCare Career Center, I am now the new UK Enterprise Operations Manager of the Hemodialysis Unit. Sue helped me to build my resume and shared interviewing tips that I feel increased my confidence level tremendously. I walked into the interview feeling prepared with the tools and resources she shared. Thanks for all of the tips and I will forever be grateful. Sue was a great help!" Brandi N. Adams RN, BSN, MSN, MHA, UK HealthCare Enterprise Acute Dialysis Manager.