I got a job!!!

Nurses Job Hunt

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Like any of you on here, I have done an extensive research online on tips to get a job, what to do, what to say, and how to prepare. Thanks to everyone and Nurse Beth! I have performed to the best of my ability and I am sure they saw it, because I was hired the same day of the interview. I have been licensed since Jan 2015, working as a field nurse for couple of months. It kept me so busy, and the applications/resume I sent out probably got lost in the cyberworld. I took the initiative and went to job fair. Sure, no experience in acute. I wasn't going to let that stop me. I just prepared everything to my best ability, and leave rest to God.

My tips and just like any of the threads you see here. Please please please!

Number 1, bring extra copies of resume. I kid you not, even though I gave 5 resumes on the day of Job fair, HR will not provide one to the Director of Nursing or charge nurse. You have to have few copies ready.

Number 2, Don't be late. Whatever you do, do not show up too early either.

Number 3, please research on the hospital history. They will ask. They want to know how serious you are about working here. Incorporate the mission/vision into your own. know when hospital was established, how many beds, what awards they have received. Who accredited them? I mean...the list is long. but you have to show that you RESEARCHED on the hospital. They even asked me who the CEO was. And of course, that was easy for me. I researched everything and wrote down a whole page. I didn't even wait for them to ask me, I can probably recite back everything I wrote.

Number 4, if you lack competency in one skill, it's ok to admit, just tell them you are practicing and you know it will get better.

Number 5, please be prepared to be drilled, I was given many questions regarding disease process, prioritization, delegation, nursing process, etc.

Number 6, this is a great question that every hospital is going to ask. How long of orientation do you need? Please, whatever you do, do not say couple of months. They will look at you and think, hm...so I am going to have to spend a lot of money training you? that's not cost effective. You can say, well, I would like at least four weeks, if I see I still need more time, which I am sure you will tell me on a weekly basis, I will request an additional time.

Number 7, yes, please prepare to ask a lot of questions. When I say a lot, I meant A LOT. Show that you are interested. I got some great tips on here. So I incorporated that into my questions. such as, what's your expectation of me in three months? do you offer CE classes? what's the most important attributes you are looking for in a nurse?

Ok, you get the idea. I really asked a lot of questions.

Number 8, When they ask you a question, please always provide an example, so they can relate back. It should not be a Yes, or NO answer. You have to give an example. It shows them that you understand the question being addressed, and that you have an experience to back it up.

Lastly, just SMILE and be yourself.

Good luck everyone!! if I can do it, so can you. I have applied to a lot of hospitals online, only two hospitals called me which were all from the job fair. My first interview didn't go so well because they saw that I was nervous, I was prepared, but I was too nervous. I made it to the final round for a New grad program, but I just blew it by not elaborating more of what I can bring to the hospital. Yeah, first experience didn't go so well. But I am grateful, because I get AM shift and it's my dream unit. And everyone I met on the floor have been sooo wonderful and nice. Yeah!!! i am so thrilled!

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Congratulations! You gave some good advice. I hope I can find a job someday!

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you will!! have faith. That one right hospital will come to you. If you take initiative, it will make things much more easy.

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That's what I keep saying too. The right hospital will come along. I've been trying and looking for job fairs too. I just gotta keep on

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A four week orientation for a new grad seems reeeeally short to me...

Congratulations on the job!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Congrats!!!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

They quizzed you on the CEO? When I was working in the hospital I didn't even know who the CEO was!

Congrats and good luck!

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Specializes in Neonatology.

Congrats, get tips.

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yeah, I didn't want to sound like incompetent, because I knew my stuff, but needed more practice of course. DON said one month is fair, but will give additional weeks should I need them. I will receive weekly feedback and I know that will help me determine what changes i need to make.

In HH, I only received 4 paid orientation, in Hospice, 3 paid orientation. LOL. I thought it was scary, but I got the support I needed, every staff replied me instantly. I had people backing me up when I needed. So, it wasn't so bad....minus the MD yelling days..lol.

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Congratulations. you deserved it! You worked super hard and prepared so well. Thank you for the tips. I am looking forward to trying out your methods.

So you did research and memorized it for each Hospital table you visit? or is it just one specific hospital?

I am impressed, didnt know you can get jobs at career fair...leads but not an actual job. Thank you for the inspiration

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