Help please!!!

CaliRN13, BSN · Jul 20, 2013

If you are in California, don't stress... There are tons of people in the same boat as you. Just keep plugging away and get as many certifications as you can afford that relate to the area of nursing you want to be in. Don't discount LVN/LPN opportunities, as they can be a good foot in the door. Try volunteering in the meantime. I know the American Red Cross is located all over the country and they are very receptive to volunteers. You may not be directly in a hospital with the Red Cross but you are still doing things related to the medical field (blood drives, CPR classes, etc.) Also, try to tailor your resume to highlight the experience you do have (customer service, time management, etc. at the fast food place) and highlight any experience that relates to the position you are applying for.

I hope this helps! Just be patient and keep at it. You'll land an interview or a job before you know it :)

GotDrumer · Jul 20, 2013

Thank you so much for the support! I'll look into your suggestions!! (:

swansonplace · Jul 21, 2013

Have someone look at your resume or hire a professional to redo it.

DavidDudley · Jul 22, 2013

So, I have had my license since June 4th. I have put in so many applications I can't even remember how many I have put in. I have applied to all of the local hospitals. The local nursing homes are not hiring RNs and I haven't found any doctor's offices that are hiring either. I have turned in resumes (twice) to the jobs that I seriously would LOVE to have. But I have not even had a phone call. No interview. NOTHING. I am so depressed. All of my friends are getting jobs and I can't even get an interview. I don't know what to do anymore. I feel totally worthless. I have even applied to jobs out of the state that my license are in. Please someone tell me something to do to help me get an interview. I have no medical experience except school and I worked at a fast food place for about 3 months when I was younger. I'm starting to think maybe I shouldn't be a nurse.

Make a list (however long) of every city in your state and for each city you have listed make a list of every hospital. Apply to them all. If possible, put in 5-20 apps per day. But this is only half the battle.

The other half is consistent follow up. Follow up every 2-3 weeks on every app you put in. I would call and speak directly to the director for the department that you apply for. And keep following up until they either call you in for an interview or tell you not to call back again.

The reason why the follow up is so important is because hospitals receive hundreds to thousands of applications on a monthly basis. Your app is just a number. Because the hospitals receive an overwhelming amount of applications, they just simply pick the most qualified applicant. So consistent follow up is one way to make yourself stand out from the masses of other apps they get.

It took me 2 years to finally get in a hospital setting so don't get discouraged.

GotDrumer · Jul 22, 2013

Make a list (however long) of every city in your state and for each city you have listed make a list of every hospital. Apply to them all. If possible, put in 5-20 apps per day. But this is only half the battle.
The other half is consistent follow up. Follow up every 2-3 weeks on every app you put in. I would call and speak directly to the director for the department that you apply for. And keep following up until they either call you in for an interview or tell you not to call back again.
The reason why the follow up is so important is because hospitals receive hundreds to thousands of applications on a monthly basis. Your app is just a number. Because the hospitals receive an overwhelming amount of applications, they just simply pick the most qualified applicant. So consistent follow up is one way to make yourself stand out from the masses of other apps they get.
It took me 2 years to finally get in a hospital setting so don't get discouraged.

That is some wonderful advice! Thank you so much!! (: