It must be the resume

Nurses Job Hunt

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I have been reading lots of posts searching for how long it takes to get a nursing job and where to apply. I've come to the conclusion that it must be the resume.

Some nurses seem to only have to apply to1-5 places and get call backs and offers from each while other nurses seem to apply to 50 plus (or 100s) places and get nothing but rejection.

Does anyone have good advice about creating a GREAT resume?

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Specializes in public health.

Sometimes I think it's just timing--right resume meets right HR person, and there is an available spot for hiring. I sent my resume to my nurse/nurse educator friends, and they all told me I have a great resume but the job market is tough in my city right now. I am trying to write a good cover letter, so hopefully I can get hired soon....

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Specializes in CMSRN.
Sometimes I think it's just timing--right resume meets right HR person and there is an available spot for hiring. I sent my resume to my nurse/nurse educator friends, and they all told me I have a great resume but the job market is tough in my city right now. I am trying to write a good cover letter, so hopefully I can get hired soon....[/quote']

I agree with this. And sometimes it's who you know. I have received excellent feedback on my résumé and still no job offers so I'm trying to be patient. Good luck!

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It is very difficult to navigate the hospital hiring system without help. I'm still looking for my first RN position and the only thing that has helped has been to contact recruiters at the hospitals. Some are helpful and some are not, but if they are helpful they can often give you information about resumes, cover letters, events or classes where you may be able to meet hiring managers and positions that you are eligible for even if the job posting states "experience required". A recruiter I talked to asked me to send her my resume and she suggested changes based on what they like to see at that hospital system, so if you can find a friendly recruiter you can ask them to look at your resume.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

It is timing, luck, and often connections.

Being known to an organization, or recommended by someone there, helps ensure yours gets a better look.

But speaking of resumes after spending time reviewing resumes yesterday

If you have no actual healthcare experience, definitely include other work experience, but keep it relevant and brief. I like to see that you know what it's like to work, but usually don't need a lot of details. Employee of the month? Sure, include that.

If you have experience, don't describe the mundane: "took care of patients under doctors direction". Use appropriate active verbs and descriptors.

Don't tell me you are "expert" at some routine task. Don't tell me you are expert, or uniquely qualified for the position, unless you can back it up.

Do make sure you tweak your resume as needed so it reflects an interest in that position. Look at the posting, including listing words and requirements in the resume or cover letter.

Good luck in your search!

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thank you all, I keep finding more and more ways to improve my resume and cover letter here, again thank you all so much :)

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I have heard that my resume is wonderful and have been on several interviews but have applied to hundreds of jobs. I think it is definitely more of who you know.

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I think it depends on what state you are located in. As a new grad in Texas I found a job right away in a level one trauma center in the er with no previous experience. My friend came from California to Texas to get her experience because it was so hard to find a job in California as a new nurse.

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Specializes in Peds ED, Peds Stem Cell Transplant, Peds.

I am pretty lucky, DH is in business and in his business writing they spent alot of time on resumes. He formatted mine and I just update it, but it looks very professional and cuts to the chase to my quailifications. I have always had compliments on it.

So my suggestion would be if you a friend that is a business major see what they can do for you.

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My resume is unique. I have had several jobs in the past that were, on the surface, completely unrelated to nursing. I took one word to describe what quality I took from that job that would make me a great nurse.

For example one job I used "detail-oriented", another "teamwork", and another job "compassionate" etc as titles for the previous jobs on my resume. During an interview, I pointed out the words- and the interviewer was a little puzzled- I told her that everything I had ever done in life had trained me to be a great nurse (and I gave some examples) even though I was a new grad. I was hired. She said that often people apologize for not having much RN experience and can't see that their life experience (and jobs) all relate somehow to nursing. I have used this technique to get 2 other jobs as a new RN. Now that I am no longer a new RN I have changed up my resume a bit but recommend the idea for others with several previous other jobs.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
It is very difficult to navigate the hospital hiring system without help. I'm still looking for my first RN position and the only thing that has helped has been to contact recruiters at the hospitals. Some are helpful and some are not but if they are helpful they can often give you information about resumes, cover letters, events or classes where you may be able to meet hiring managers and positions that you are eligible for even if the job posting states "experience required". A recruiter I talked to asked me to send her my resume and she suggested changes based on what they like to see at that hospital system, so if you can find a friendly recruiter you can ask them to look at your resume.[/quote']

^THIS. :yes: a recruiter have me suggestions; helped me land not only ONE but TWO jobs. Having connections with recruiters also helps when you are looking for a career or position change.

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The hiring process is different at each institution. Some places actually go based on a merit-system which uses points to determine an employee's compatibility and eligibility.

For my new grad program, HR actually went through the applications as they received them despite having a deadline. Hell, sometimes the deadline isn't solid: A hospital in the LA area said they'd keep the application window open for 1.5 weeks - they shut it down after 4 days due to the sheer volume of applications. After 100 people were chosen for each department which was about 500 total for the entire hospital. The nurse managers of each floor sorted out through the applications, reducing the number to how many they needed/wanted (MCC was 2-3; ICU was 2-3; ER was 7-8; Med Surg was 5-8; etc.). That is why my biggest tip is to turn your application as soon as possible.

As far as "connections" - yeah they are hella important. I read a post here a few days ago about a girl who could not find a job despite "knowing a nurse manager." I think she is leaving out some heavy details because more so than HR, the nurse manager is the main determinant of hiring. If she really knew a nurse manager, she'd be able to get a job. A girl in my program got hired with zero work experience simply because she knew the nurse manager of her floor. And you may say, "Hey that's not fair!" However, this is the rationale: More than experience and education, personality is a good indicator of team dynamic. And it's true - nursing is about team-work. Metaphorically - mushrooms are good and apples are good, but do they go well together? Eh, not so much. So just because you hire a group of people with years of experience and a 4.0 GPA this doesn't mean you will have the best team in the world.

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