Should I ditch the pinning ceremony for a possible job?

NurseTaylor23 · May 10, 2014

Hi! Personally I would go to the open house since it's where you really want to work. The open house should allow you to get your foot in the door and it'll be easier for employers to put your face to your name if you decide to go. I know it would kind of suck to miss the pinning ceremony though... Do you all have a graduation ceremony as well? Maybe your cohort/class can go do something fun afterward so you can be included :)

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · May 10, 2014

I'd go to pinning. I wouldn't skip it for an open house. Mayyyyybe for a second interview, but not for an open house. It's not likely that management will have time for all of the people milling through an open house, nor likely that it would give you an advantage in obtaining an interview. Unless it's nothing like the open houses I've gone to, you can probably find out more info about the open positions on the hospital's web page.

As for the ADN/BSN thing....in this economy (at least here) it's really about connections, ie: all about who you know. I'm finding its a good thing to know people who work where you're interested. Congratulations on pinning!

bella14k · May 10, 2014

No i wouldn't be able to because i live 5 hours away...and graduation is after pinning. but i agree with u...they will want to put a face to a name.

RunBabyRN · May 10, 2014

I've been very disappointed with job fairs and open houses, in general. I agree about connections- post it EVERYWHERE that you're searching. You never know who knows someone who's best friends with a manager that loves new grads.

We just had our pinning tonight, and it was really special. I would really regret not attending.

Episteme · May 10, 2014

No one wears pins any longer. (Well... I do, but I'm old and people have grown to expect me to do old-fashioned things.) Odd that we've hung on to that tradition. Cap (gone) white uniforms (gone) white hose and shoes (gone) pins (gone)... just scrubs and a name badge.

And I was never pinned. Took a couple hundred bucks to the book store, bought it, wore it to work on my first day.

Maybe it's more the event and your colleagues and the "only-happens-once" nature of it. How close are you to these people? will you lose touch with them if you don't go? Is the ceremony something you're doing for mom and dad?

Just mull it over. Follow your heart.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · May 10, 2014

I would go to the open house. The pinning is a great memory but if you can make connections at the open house, why not go?

bella14k · May 10, 2014

I know the deal about 'connections', but if I had those right now, I wouldn't be worried about an open house, now would I?

Lol, Jk.

Btw, I know a few people (family friend who is an RN, family friend who USED to be on the board at a major hospital-like that matters anymore, and my dad's girlfriend's daughter who is a resident technically works at NYU langone, where I'm very interested in working ...yet I still don't have a job b/c they want bachelors nurses.

Sometimes you need to know people-Im sure it's better than not knowing someone, but unless they're "beSties" with the hiring manager, or it is the hiring manager, chances are you're SOL. That, or a close relative of yours is currently on the board and donates all his/her money...maybe that'll help.

I'm sorry, I got carried away with this.

bella14k · May 10, 2014

Seeing how I live 5 hours away, I most likely won't see these girls again. That's why I'm like, "See ya, I think I'll go to that open house while you guys are still scratching your heads, trying to figure out what to do next". nooo i'm jk, lol. But yes, it's the "only-happens-once" nature of it that makes me feel like I'm gonna miss out.

I have to call HR and, 1. confirm there is def an open house on Thursday, and 2, Should i bother coming if i don't have my license, let alone a date to take the NCLEX? I need to consider these things..:/

RunBabyRN · May 10, 2014

I think those are great questions to ask when you call HR.

Do you have any desire to work where you did your clinicals? Have you made any connections there?

I'm not kidding about weird connections though. A classmate of mine happens to have a family friend who happens to be close friends with a nurse that created a certification for a specialty that interests him, and is now connecting the two of them. He had NO idea! Honestly, you just never know, so that's what I mean about really putting it out there. One of my instructors said she got one job through her dry cleaner. Every job she's had she got through a connection.

CNASuzy · May 10, 2014

I would go to pinning, but that's just me! I can't wait for mine to happen this December. I am actually going to inquire if my mom can pin me since she is a retired nurse herself. Thought that would be kinda special!

bella14k · May 10, 2014

No way I don't want to work in a rural setting. The place I was at for the last year (same place, both semesters) is closing down (they just shut down their ICU, and 2 RT's just quit and so did an aid, and apparently a doctor was looking for new work too..i don't know what's happening to that place).