Are Job Fairs Any Help????

SherBearRN · Mar 9, 2006

I had a great experience a year ago. I was in my last semester of nursing school when I attended the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) convention in Salt Lake City, UT. While there, I met some wonderful recruiters from hospitals throughout the country. I went home with a stack of information. I graduated, took boards, and thought it would be a good idea to stay locally instead of moving. I went to work at one of the local hospitals in Wichita, KS and stayed there for a whole three months before I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I took out the stack of information I had received at the NSNA convention and contacted one of the recruiters I was really impressed with. She immediately remembered me and asked if I wanted to speak with one of the nurse manager's. That night I interviewed over the phone with the nurse manager and was offered a position on a transplant floor. This was the best move I ever made! I like where I work and I like the nurses and docs where I'm at now.

So to answer your question: Yes, job fairs are helpful. They are also a good place to get information for current as well as future employment opportunities.

smilin_gp · Mar 9, 2006

I'll also graduate in May. I went to a few job fairs, and went to visit with a recruiter who invited me to talk with her. That day, she referred me to a nurse manager of the unit that matched my interests, and I interviewed successfully. Definitely go to job fairs, and maybe ask the recruiters if they're willing to meet with almost-grads :)

nursern20 · Mar 10, 2006

I had a great experience a year ago. I was in my last semester of nursing school when I attended the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) convention in Salt Lake City, UT. While there, I met some wonderful recruiters from hospitals throughout the country. I went home with a stack of information. I graduated, took boards, and thought it would be a good idea to stay locally instead of moving. I went to work at one of the local hospitals in Wichita, KS and stayed there for a whole three months before I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I took out the stack of information I had received at the NSNA convention and contacted one of the recruiters I was really impressed with. She immediately remembered me and asked if I wanted to speak with one of the nurse manager's. That night I interviewed over the phone with the nurse manager and was offered a position on a transplant floor. This was the best move I ever made! I like where I work and I like the nurses and docs where I'm at now.
So to answer your question: Yes, job fairs are helpful. They are also a good place to get information for current as well as future employment opportunities.

Wow, thats a neat story! I would have never thought to actually go to an nsna convention. Thanks for sharing! Very much appreciated :)

nursern20 · Mar 10, 2006

Something else I might add.....I actually went to the Advance Career Fair today and it seemed like all of the recruiters wanted you to apply online.

So Im wondering whats the point of going there if you're gonna end up sending all your information through the computer?? Needless to say, I still handed my resumes to the hospitals of my interest if they asked for it.

SherBearRN · Mar 11, 2006

Some of the recruiters at the NSNA convention asked for online applications, too, but not all of them. The hospital I currently work at took a copy of my paper resume but also asked that I apply online. I did both. The good thing about applying online even though you met a recruiter is that most times the recruiter will remember you or part of your conversation. It's a great way to get your foot in the door! Absolutely go to job fairs!

zoprack · Mar 11, 2006

Something else I might add.....I actually went to the Advance Career Fair today and it seemed like all of the recruiters wanted you to apply online.
So Im wondering whats the point of going there if you're gonna end up sending all your information through the computer?? Needless to say, I still handed my resumes to the hospitals of my interest if they asked for it.

well, i think the "trick" at career fairs, is to talk to the right ppl at the stand, like you if there's a RN manager there, you wanna talk to her and avoid the HR ppl, and hopefully you can get business card.

otherwise, to me, seems like career fair are also a lot about having the medical center/companies out there~~~

i remember back then, for an engineering career faire, some companies were there only for informational purpose, they were recruiting.