sending an email to nurse recruiter

Hi, I'm an 18 year experienced RN, struggling for a job also in this poor economy. I have sent cover letter and resumes direct to the recruiters and managers of the department and rec'd no responses.

However, I've also bypassed the recruiter and mailed my cover and resume direct to the manager of the department...and rec'd rejection letters from them, so I know at least they did look at it.

Seems, since 99% hospitals now do on-line applications, this is the preferred method. Most consider the resume and cover an added extra, but you must fill the application for their hospital. Also, by applying on-line, you create an account and most times, can track your application process.

I've been at it for 12 months....emails can get easily deleted if they feel your not qualified. By applying on-line at their hospital site, it remains in their computer system and is always accessible. Of course it doesn't mean your looked at any more than physically applying direct at the place. There is just TOO much competition out there, it's a crap shoot...if you don't catch their attention with the first sentence on your cover letter or...seems they don't spend much time on your resume.

For example, I've gotten calls for ICU/CCU jobs, because on the 1st page of my resume, it summerizes my experience in each area I've worked, then the employment section on the 2nd page. There it says I haven't worked ICU since 2002...after they hear that, It's like I've wasted their time...They act like I couldn't possibly work in their CCU since I've been out of it for 7 years. (I still have the knowledge and critical thinking skills...geez!)

You are correct, there is a lot of advertised positions out there, asking for experience...however, most is just 1 position available for 500 applicants...its rough.

Then there are those hospitals that have hiring freezes and have been advertising the same jobs for months and months...hence there really is no position, just makes it look good I guess.

Trust me, I have applied to these position, only to be told that they don't exist, they don't really need help in that area and don't know why it is advertised, or the position is filled!

I've also gone to the job fairs...the ones that advertise that managers will be there to interview on the spot and you could get hired!

Not! There are no manager there, only recruiters or HR representatives. They tell you to leave you resume (on their huge pile, no less) but that they have only one opening or no openings...just giving out their free pens and "spin the wheel" prize! Some even tell you they are NOT taking resumes and just hand you the hospital brochure...I've gone to 4 in the past year and all are the same.

I use this site: http://www.theagapecenter.com/Hospitals/California.htm or this one: http://www.jobbankusa.com/employment...al/california/ to access most of the california hospital websites. (not all hospitals are listed there, and some listed are closed down). I check certain hospitals within a 40 mile radius from me on a daily basis, so I know how long the same positions have been posted there and never seem to change. Some positions still listed from year 2008....now you can't tell me they couldn't find a nurse to fill it!

What area of So Cal are you. There are few hospitals that routinely hire new grads. In fact I told a few grads about St. Bernardines in San Bernardino, they applied, and I know 1 was hired into CCU there. Check out their website!

P.S. Not trying to sound bitter, but this nurse employment rat race exists, many others will tell you the same. I know of hospitals that are downsizing their nurses, cutting hours, flexing them home at a moments notice, or calling them off completely for their shift. They are also staffing to the highest nurse-patient ratio allowed under Calif. law and then some.....

In my opinion, there is NO nursing shortage existing. Keep your head up and keep trying...take some classes to add to your resume. Like if you want to work CCU or ER, take a beginners CCU or ER course. There are a few places that offer them.

But in the 7 years since you've worked in the ICU unit nursing has evolved since then. Things are constantly changing, and one of my instructors even said to me "you've been out of nursing for 6 months, you're considered outdated" I didn't realize that until I've seen it first hand.

Your absolutely right about health technology always changing.

1. I did take a CCU course (6 weeks long) to update and refresh my skills as well as a dysrhythmia course (4 weeks, in which I'm glad to see I haven't forgotten my rhythms, just some of the drug treatments have changed).

2. Even without updating myself, you never lose the general critical care knowledge, it gets misplaced in the brain, like riding a bike in a way, once you get back into the CCU setting, most all comes back to you. Its up to the employer to provide you with the orientation needed on new technologies. And you learn the new treatments/drugs as you work. You always should get an orientation when you enter into a new place, no matter experienced nurse or new one.

Unless, you work as a traveler, registry or per diem...then there is not much if any orientation...you need to be current on your stuff, because they expect you to hit the floor running.

Used to be a time when employers didn't care when you worked a particular area, only that you did work it at some time and have an RN after your name!

Now, there is so much competition out there during these times, the employer has you by the short hairs...and will take the one with the most recent experienced and higher degrees.

I have had alot of luck with Nurse recruiters emailing me back. Whether it is just to say there are no positions or yes apply online they genuienly want to help. I've since got 2 interviews, don't know if it's becuse they remembered my interest or liked my resume. Anywho, at this point the more proactive we are the bettter I think. : )Good luck