Advice on how to network/talk to people about employment/opportunities in healthcare(nsg).

[MLE44]

I am a new nurse (looking for 1st nursing job) and was given the name & number to a very well respected doctor at one of the top hospitals in my area. (The doctor is married to my uncle's nephew) My aunt gave me his contact info and told me to call him. She thinks he could be a great resource and might know places that are hiring, etc. She said he is a great person and would try to help. I don't know if she talked to him about me or if I will be calling completely out of the blue. I don't know how to approach this phone call bc I've never networked for a job before. (even though I have another degree & have always worked - I have never found a job bc of a "connection")

I want and I need to make a good first impression.

What should I be asking him to help me with? I don't want only inquire about employment bc if he doesn't know of any job openings that could really limit what I could learn from him. How should I approach the initial call? Do I have a resume & cover letter ready to email him?

If anyone has experience with networking and might have advice on how I shld approach this situation I would be so grateful. Finding a job as a new nurse is difficult and I will take all the help I can get. I want to go into this asking the right questions & saying the right things.

The advice on this site is so helpful. I constantly read questions and the great advice and it really helped me during my nursing program . Thank you for reading this and taking time to help.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Well-meaning people who don't understand healthcare hierarchy are usually the ones who suggest this butI can't recall a single instance in which 'name dropping' a physician or administrator connection worked out well for a staff nurse looking for a job. Physicians don't hire nurses. Nurse managers do. Unless that physician is BFFs with a nurse manager, his 'network' is not going to help you at all. In fact, most managers would be extremely reluctant to willingly hire anyone who has the 'ear' of individuals who are highly placed in the organization.

As a new grad, you're going to have to join the cue... applying through the normal and acceptable process for any organization in which you're interested. If you try to jump line and ask for exceptions, it will come back to bite you - you'll be characterized as someone who feels that she is entitled to that special treatment... the personification of a Millennial stereotype ... it will not end well.

[MLE44]

Thanks for the feedback. (I'm not a "millennial" I am an older student and this will be my 2nd career.)

[Tomascz, ASN, RN]

Some of my best "ins" have been other students from the class ahead of me who I know that know me and are willing to put a bug in their nurse mgr's ear. Unless the Doc is looking to hire a green nurse for some reason, your contact is probably not much help. Smile and say "thank you" anyway. The people you need to contact are the recruiters. It's their job to get you in.