New Grad/RN Program in California

Mariamaria:

I am not sure "why" you would apply for an LVN position. Don't give up yet. Just try a different avenue as far as job hunting.

I would suggest that you contact the personnel department//HR dept. of the facility you are interested in working at (whether they have openings for RNs or not) to determine who the point-of-contact is for the nursing department. For most long-term care (LTC) facilities it is the Director of Nursing (DON). Get the individuals correct name and title and send him/her an "exploratory" letter. What is an exploratory letter....

...Paragraph #1 usually begins (using your own words) with "This letter is being written to explore possible employment opportunities within your organization/facility. I am a recent graduate of a nursing program/I have ?+ years of experience as a nurse... My resume is attached to provide you with information about my education and work history... " Paragraph #2 provides information about yourself, why you have an interest in their facility, what you can "bring to the table", (team player, organized, multi-tasker...) etc. Paragraph #3 closing paragraph that provides telephone contact numbers.

You will be surprised by your results!!! With today's economy, all businesses are not posting EVERY job opening in the local newspaper. They can't afford to. Additionally, by submitting your resume and cover letter, BEFORE an ad is posted in the newspaper you provide yourself with a possible "first chance" in the interview process, long before the ad is posted and other people start to apply. If there are no LVN/LPN positions available, you may be able to get your hands on a position (above an LVN/LPN). Like an RN doing assessements (LTC facilities report to Medicare/Medicaid in order to be paid and usually have a Mininum Data Set (MDS) Nurse/Coordinator that is responsible for the new admits, 30-day, 60-day, 90-day, quarterly and annual head-to-toe assessments). This is what I did! This can at least get your foot in the door until a position on the floor/unit is available. I submitted a letter, got called in for a interview the next day, was hired the same day as the interview. The facility was still organizing their job description to place in the paper when they received my letter. Shortly thereafter, my girlfriends (3) did the same thing and got hired immediately as unit nurses and nurse supervisors. LTC facilities are always in need of LVNs/LPNs; but are eager to take on new grad RNs. I worked in the MDS office with 2 LPNs and 1 RN for 5 months at a LTC and learned quite a bit! Especially my pharmacology. This short period of time allowed the facility to view me, my work ethics, etc. Now, while I work full-time at a hospital, I work at the LTC part-time as an RN on their skilled unit (I have a pencil schedule and can select my own work days (nights actually) around my full-time RN job!). I am considering working full-time as an RN with the LTC. Right now, I can't make up my mind which way to go. As a new grad, I want the experience that can be gained in a hospital; but I enjoy the environment of the LTC.

Sending an exploratory letter is time consuming because you have to do the work ahead of time by finding the correct point-of-contact. I've used this method the majority of the jobs that I have ever had (non-healthcare included) and it seems to work.

Again, don't give up. Stay positive!

Maria...

If you are talking about a long-term care (LTC) facility, I would recommend you call (the receptionist) first to find out what their process is. With today's technology, more and more facilities no longer have paper applications. They want you to apply online first.

But with LTC they are still "behind the times" and use the paper applications. If the receptionist suggests that you complete a paper application, BY ALL MEANS, attach a cover letter (...if you plan to go to a LTC facility...FIND OUT WHO THE Director Of Nursing (DON) or the individual responsible for hiring nurses is...) use the DON's name in the address section and opening salutation. It is more personable (better than "to whom it may concern" or "dear sir or madam") plus, this shows that you've done your homework. Also, ask the receptionist for their web address and go online and find out information about the facility. This helps, especially if you get called in and are asked "what do you know about our facility?"

So to answer your question....YES, YES, YES, attach your cover letter (with appropriate names/titles) and resume to your paper application!!!!

Hint: When I was applying for positions, I used to carry a small stapler with me just so that I can attach paperwork to applications. I also used to include copies of any licenses that I had at the time (i.e. CNA, CPR etc.). Keep in mind that this process will require you to have a "standard" exploratory letter (for those facilities that do not have a direct point-of-contact) as well as separate/individual letters for those facilities that have provided you with names and titles (DON, Director of Personnel...). Get yourself a multi-pocket folder to keep your resume, standard exploratory letters, etc. in. Also, maintain a list of all the employers you apply to (and when (date)) so you don't get confused along the way.


Good luck!!!

MariaMaria...

It's best to take your resume to a nursing instructor that you have a good repoire with. Someone that you have no problem communicating with and value their comments. I actually asked my favorite clinical instructor to review mine. Since I have "OCD" -- not really; but I've been told that I am "particular" when it comes to critiqueing someone's resume -- I'm probably not the best person to ask -- if you are in fact asking me in this post. But, if you don't mind someone who is "particular" about sentence structure and punctuation I can be the second reviewer -- especially if you have time constraints; but you still must take it to your nursing school instructors or even a good English teacher you had.

I do have a simple format that others (classmates, friends) have asked to use so I have sent them a blank slate (invisible table with 2 columns) that they use to "fill in" their own information. If you would like to see it, send me a message (private message) using the icons located below my user name (next to "Registered User") that looks like a pencil on paper.

is exploratory letter and cover letter the same?

GWAFUH_RN

Yes, an "exploratory" letter is in fact the cover letter to be used when you are making an attempt to open a door to communication with a "prospective" employer. You submit the exploratory letter as a means to present yourself in such a way that the prospective employer will want to continue communications to find out more about you. The term "exploratory" is used because you are not applying to an advertised job/position, you have not been referred by a friend/colleague, etc. You are just working behind the scene (making telephone calls, finding out names, titles, history of the facility, etc. prior to submitting your letter.) While many people take these steps when applying directly to posted/advertised jobs, the exploratory letter allows the sender (YOU) to incorporate your skills and abilities (nursing, previous work experience in healthcare/non-healthcare, etc.).

In the past, when I have been called for an interview using the exploratory letter, the interviewer often asks, "do we know the same people? how did you get my name?...." At this time, I explain what I have done, tell the individual what I know about their organization and then provide the interviewer with information about my past/present work history and how it can be incorporated into any current position he/she may have available (or may become available). One prospective interviewer even said, "Now, let's explore a few things and see where I can fit you in to this company to get you working for me. (...and we laughed!! I ended up working for the company for over 13 years!!...)"

Exploratory letter....cover letter...no matter about the name....just create a document that really defines your current skills and abilities along with what you can bring to the organization you are interested in working for.

Hint: a good opportunity to use an exploratory letter occurs each Sunday when you search the help wanted/job posting section of your local newspaper. READ THE ENTIRE HELP WANTED SECTION (not just the nursing/medical section)!!! You may see an ad for an IT Specialist at a local LTC, medical equipment sales, insurance companies (YES!!, nurses work for the big name insurance companies like USAA, GEICO, etc. reviewing medical information--being presented in law suits, on-site clinics for employees (USAA has this) for example) law firms , etc. but you may not see any ads for RN positions. While the company may be in need of an IT Specialist this week, who is to say they need RNs but haven't gotten around to posting an ad. Use the company name, address, phone number - find out if they have a nursing department or medical staff and take it from there....!!!

Good luck if you are job hunting!

You know, I have tried everything in Southern California. I've graduated in dec., 2008 and i have tried hospitals and had no luck. I have tried nursing homes, no luck. I've gone to a nursing home today and they told me i should look in a hospital. I'm thinking about taking CNA job. Do not know what to do. I'm on my own and really need a job. I never thought that i wouldn't be able to find one with BSN.