Got a job...finally

Nurses New Nurse

Published

I had a total of 12 interviews and 5 offers. I accepted the offer into a great local hospital new grad program. (I turned down other jobs along the way because of a lack of orientation). In my area, like almost everywhere else, the hospitals are not hiring new grads. We had one new grad program come up that I've found since I've been looking (6 months) and I did not get selected for it.

I wanted to tell you all about how I got into this new grad program, though I'm not exactly sure myself! This hospital did not advertise the program. But I apply for anything and everything that doesn't firmly require 1 year experience. If they say 1 year preferred, I apply and that is what happened with this job. When I look on their website at the jobs I applied for, 7-8 positions, each one says Not Selected next to it. Yet they called me to interview for their new grad program!

At the same time I was also offered a job on the rehab floor of a LTC facility. It actually seemed like a pretty good place to work, 5 weeks orientation and great salary but of course I turned it down for the new grad program.

I was getting so discouraged about doing online apps, but apparently that is how they noticed me. I know that my resume and cover letter are strong. I don't have any healthcare experience but I tied in my past experience with nursing, i.e. time management, prioritization. My cover letter conveys my passion for nursing and excellence in patient care with my own mission statement.

I went into that interview with the goal of selling myself. I did my research about the hospital (and wove comments about their history into the conversation) and had answers for all the possible scenario questions (from Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic guides I found out about from this site). I made sure to let them know I am positive, supportive, and excited about the opportunity.

I also get all sorts of job leads on my twitter feed and get daily updates from careerbuilder for my area. I apply right away, which is part of why I think I got so many callbacks. I mailed my cover letter and resume to 28 subacute/rehab places in my area and got 4 calls/2 interviews from that.

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know that one of these online apps may be your golden ticket. You just never know. I have been out of school for 4 months and let me tell you, I was in absolute despair about the situation. If nothing would have come through, I was going to start applying at doctors' offices.

Thanks everyone for contributing to this website. It has helped me all along this journey and will continue to for many years I am sure.

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Congrats on finally finding a job :-).

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Solid advice for anyone out there searching for jobs. Also, congrats on the JOB!!

I am also a new grad, graduated in June 2010 and I start my first RN job on Monday!! It was a loooong road to finding a job and not easy but things finally fell into place in a hospital I am very proud to be associated with.

All of you out there still looking, stay positive and keep on searching and applying like its your full time job to look for a job. Something will come up, and even if its just one phone call back, thats all it takes sometimes! Good luck!

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Thanks for the congrats! Good luck Scibruin on the job Monday! It's exciting, isn't it!!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Shannahan, nice work. You earned every single offer with your diligence and attention to detail. Congrats!! :)

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What a great thing to say, LunahRN :)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
What a great thing to say, LunahRN :)

Just pointing out the truth! :D

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Shannahan, Congrats on the job. Which State are you in?

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"I went into that interview with the goal of selling myself. I did my research about the hospital (and wove comments about their history into the conversation) and had answers for all the possible scenario questions (from Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic guides I found out about from this site). I made sure to let them know I am positive, supportive, and excited about the opportunity. "

Congrats on all your hard work and persistence! This post gives me hope. I am also a new grad and have been searching for 3 months now. Very discouraged! Can you please give me the link to possible scenario questions? I really need to prepare myself for these type of questions. Thank you!

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You can search this forum for "interview questions" "behavioral questions" "scenario questions" One of those will lead you to the right threads. Here's the link for the Johns Hopkins guide. There's also a mayo clinic one but I can't locate it http://www.son.jhmi.edu/resources/career/center/documents/interview_guide.pdf Good luck! It seems like there has been more hiring activity in the past month, where I'm at anyway. I'm in AZ

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Thank you so much! :o I hope I can one day post my "Got a job...finally" story on here!! It seems like I get depressed as each day passes....even a friend of mine who has her ADN was able to get hired at the same hospital we applied to! I wonder why I wasn't even called for an interview when I am a well qualified BSN? :confused:

Oh well, the hunt continues....

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mnforever: I had a panel interview at a hospital and while waiting for the other interviewers to show up I chit-chatted with the one interviewer there. She told me they didn't care about the degree, it will be all about how well I sell myself. I know not all hospitals will view it that way, but just goes to show how far personality/enthusiasm can go.

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