Is this appropriate job hunting strategy?

[waterlily777]

Here's the scenario:

I got my CNA certificate this past August, have been seeking employment since then with no success, so I started volunteering at a local hospital to get my foot in the door any way possible...

I am also on this hospital's job listings e-mail. Today I received notice of an available CNA position there.

Question: is it a good idea/appropriate to go to that floor's nurse manager and say "Hey, I am a volunteer here, who also happens to be a CNA and saw your post about an available CNA position, wanna hire me?"

Please help! I don't know if this is right, but then again, that was my intention from the beginning, to get on the inside so to speak...

How should I go about this?

[alliecat11011]

Hi waterlily777!,

I think it would be a great idea to meet the nurse manager, but it is important that you go with a game plan. A friend of mine, an international relations major, likes to call up prospective jobs for an informational interview. This is where she calls up a company/business and asks to know more about what they do and how they do it. It is a great chance to get your name into their head-because it shows you are inquiring and available.

I know this is a bit different for nursing, but it could be modified. Perhaps you could go to the nursing floor and just start a discussion with the nurse manager, when they have time. Ask what type of patients are generally cared for on the unit-or how did the nurse manager become a nurse his/herself?

Also, it might be handy to have an elevator speech. An elevator speech is a short speech about who you are, what you've done in the past, and where you are planning to go. If you google the term, there are a million and one sites with tips and tutorials to help you write your own.

Good luck...I hope this helps!!

--alliecatt11011

[waterlily777]

thank you so much for the advice alliecat!