1. Empathy Map
School to Work
PROBLEM
Get hired as a nurse by a local hospital once she passes the state board exam.
SAY
The student said she is in the last semester at San Jose State University – Valley Foundation
School of Nursing.
Graduation means getting her Bachelors of Science, not a nursing license.
Must pass the state board exam – NCLEX, National Council Licensure Examination to become a
registered nurse. Shooting to take the exam in January.
Doesn’t want to relocate to gain experience.
Wants to live and work in the Monterey to San Francisco area.
Will try to get into a new Grad program.
 Only some hospitals offer it, gives you more training on how to be a nurse in more units.
 You actually are hired as a new graduate.
 Will start applying at the end of December.
 Is trying to figure out which hospitals offer it.
 It’s very competitive to get into it.
 Not so common because it is expensive to train nurses for that long – may include class
work as well as being on the floor with a nurse.
Most hospitals want experience. So nurses have to go out of state to get experience and return to
California
Taking certification classes to add to her resume.
Has done work as a nurse’s assistant.
Has done work as a personal assistant, care giver for the last 8 months
I have been told to start looking for nursing opportunities now. Figure out when hospitals are
hiring.
Biggest problem is having to relocate for a couple of years to get experience.
 I’m preparing myself for relocation.
Getting references is not a stumbling block. I’ve had reference letters written for me for
scholarships and jobs. It’s just a process of updating the reference letters.
Not worrying about steps that I’m not at yet.
DO
Phone interview. No observations.

2. Empathy Map
Page 2
THINK
She has thought of her steps as she nears graduation.
She gathered information to prepare her for next steps to transition to work as she approaches
graduation.
She thought about where she wants to work – Monterey to San Francisco area.
Even though she is sure she can get into a hospital Grad program in San Diego, it is not an
option.
She thought about the alternatives in case she has to gain experience outside the hospital Grad
program.
She knows she faces competition to get into the hospital Grad program.
She already has letters of reference and is gathering more.
She knows she has research to do and applications to submit. She knows her timeline.
FEEL
She is confident in her next steps in taking the exam and in applying for the hospital Grad
program.
She wants to stay in the area because her parents and her boyfriend live here.
If she must relocate to gain experience or get into another hospital Grad program, she will do so
reluctantly.
She is confident in applying for the hospital Grad program – she has references, work
experience, and is already working in a hospital with a Grad program.
She is not anxious or depressed – she is in control by not trying to wrangle with future issues.
She should also apply to the hospital Grad program in San Diego – the relocation isn’t that far, if
she does have to relocate.