Famous Quotes (And How They Apply To Job-Hunting)

Are you looking for a nursing job at the present time? The intended purpose of this article is to closely examine several famous quotes, and at the same time, discuss how they are directly applicable to your current employment-seeking efforts. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

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Famous Quotes (And How They Apply To Job-Hunting)

Struggling to land your first nursing position in a slumping economy can be a mind-numbing experience, and even the most dedicated job-seeker might lose motivation in this day and age after several rejections. It is also frustrating when you have put so much time and effort into submitting employment applications, only to receive no responses or phone calls. However, light does exist at the end of the tunnel.

Fabled quotes have always provided concise ways to put broad ideas into perspective, and even though some of them were written during previous times, the words exude much wisdom that can be applied to the present day. Without further ado, I present several famous quotes and how they may tie into your current search for work.

Quote

He who wants everything, ends up with nothing. - Brazilian proverb

I know of a newly graduated nurse who very recently rejected an offer of employment at an acute care hospital because, based on the interviewer's description, it was not everything that she had envisioned. Guess what? This particular new grad is still unemployed. In this sluggish economic climate, you must not turn down any offers that would have otherwise gotten your foot into the door.

In addition, the blunt reality is that not enough room exists at the local hospital for every new nurse who would like to work there. Think outside the box and get a foot into the door of a home health agency, private duty, plasma center/blood bank, clinic, psychiatric hospital, nursing home, hospice, assisted living facility, group home, adult day care, or any number of workplaces outside the hospital setting.

Many new nurses say, "I would never work in a nursing home!" However, employment in a nursing home equals nursing experience and nursing pay, whereas unemployment equals no nursing experience and no pay. Which would you prefer?

Quote

Fear not those who argue but those who dodge. - Marie Ebner von Eschenbach

When you do land an interview, do not be fearful of the tough interviewers who bombard you with seemingly complex questions. However, please place extra scrutiny on interviewers who dance around your questions, make empty promises, and seem more interested in selling the idea of working at the facility to you. If anything seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Quote

An unemployed person who declines a legitimate interview is implying that he/she is willing to remain unemployed. - TheCommuter.

I personally created this quote, and it should be rather self-explanatory. Do not decline any interviews unless you currently have a job that you enjoy. The unemployed person who rejects a job interview because it is not for a favored unit or facility is basically turning down the opportunity to get his/her foot into the door. If called by a recruiter or manager, schedule the interview and see where it may lead.

In summary, searching for that first nursing job might be a hard feat to accomplish, but your dream of finding work can be turned into a reality. Keep your head up, be realistic, and take the necessary actions to secure employment. Good luck to you.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN, CRRN is a longtime physical rehabilitation nurse who has varied experiences upon which to draw for her articles. She was an LPN/LVN for more than four years prior to becoming a Registered Nurse.

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When you arrive at a fork in the road, take it.

----- Yogi Berra.

BrandonLPN, LPN

3,358 Posts

I especially like the first quote. :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I especially like the first quote. :)
Yes, I'm pretty sure that you are the one who has used the first quote more than once on these forums.

leenak

980 Posts

Luckily, I haven't had to do a serious job hunt since I graduated college (the first time). I definitely fear the job hunt ahead of me after I get into a nursing program and then graduate.

The first time around though, I remember talking to 3 companies that met my basic requirements (I was afforded some level of pickiness) and that were also interested in me. 1 of the companies was offering me a job that wasn't my ideal job but was one that allowed for growth in movements into other areas after a couple years. The manager was great, the company is a good company and the job totally wasn't my ideal job. Despite that, turning down their job offer was really difficult because I knew it would've been a good learning experience. I ended up choosing one of the other positions but if I had no other choice, I would've jumped at that job hands down.

I'm all for learning experience so I'd say interview for whatever jobs you can (interviews are good practice) and seriously consider jobs that aren't 'ideal'. You may never get the ideal job if you never get the basic experience.