New Grad applicant walked on a unit today...

Nurses Job Hunt

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I'm a new grad RN-ADN and in attempt to stand out from the gazillion applicants for the 1 new grad position, I walked on to a unit in attempt to simply introduce myself to the manager. I just wanted 2 seconds of her time. I completely understand how swamped with work they are, but I didn't even get those 2 seconds. All I wanted was to introduce myself, possibly hand over a resume, and merely express my interest in the position and hospital. That's all and I would walk away and she could throw my resume away the second I walked away if she wanted, but at least I tried my very best. Well that's what I was thinking may happen. I was trying to go the "extra mile" and have her put a face to the name.

Instead, her door opened and she said she was in the middle of something and that if I wanted to schedule something I should have called then the door was literally shut on my face. Now I completely understand that in general if you want to set up a meeting, then you call and schedule, but in reality, what were the chances of me calling and her saying "sure come in on this day at this time" I doubt it. She seemed irritated with me just knocking on her door! Either way, I feel cut down in size after it took so much for me to muster up the courage to go through with it.

I have heard of success stories where new grads get at least an interview from doing this and it is even on some of the articles posted here telling us how to get our first position, but today I feel discouraged to even try that again.

What are your thoughts?

You are on the right track! Do NOT GIVE UP! I am assuming that you can't look for positions beyond your current geography? You have to take any decent work as a RN. I mean drug and alcohol rehab, nursing home, home care, there are even some hospice organizations that will take on a new GN if that have experienced staff to guide them. Look for reasonable loans, if necessary, and even if's it's only 1 course, start toward your BSN. How far are you willing to commute? Shoot, do a more global search for positions, just to see the kind of feedback you can get--and maybe you might find that you can relocate or their is a bonus for relocation. Bottom line is you have to get experience--at this point anything as a RN, and you have to be working on or matriculated into a BSN program. You also need to keep your cGP as high as possible. These are the people that are landing the internship positions. It's a full-time job to find a nursing position right now. In this current economic climate, I have people from all occupations and fields telling me that it has taken them no less than 60-70 applications + resumes to land a position. Depending on where you are, it may even take more.

You have to be like some kinds of sharks, where, if they don't keep moving, they will die. I am not saying be a shark--

You can do it. Never say die! :)

Thanks samadams8,

I am in California and have expanded my search to Washington, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and some parts of Texas. I am willing to relocate, but can only go so far right now. I do plan on working towards my BSN very soon, especially since I am not working. The reason I didn't plan to start it this fall is because I was hoping to have a job. And I know this may sound a little strange, but some of the companies I spoke with said that they would ask new grads to defer starting their BSN program one semester because of the load of the new grad residency program. So my original plan was to land a job, complete an RN residency and then work towards my BSN. It's ok, I just need to readjust the plan and keep forging through obstacles...I will get there one day! :)

Thanks samadams8,

I am in California and have expanded my search to Washington, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and some parts of Texas. I am willing to relocate, but can only go so far right now. I do plan on working towards my BSN very soon, especially since I am not working. The reason I didn't plan to start it this fall is because I was hoping to have a job. And I know this may sound a little strange, but some of the companies I spoke with said that they would ask new grads to defer starting their BSN program one semester because of the load of the new grad residency program. So my original plan was to land a job, complete an RN residency and then work towards my BSN. It's ok, I just need to readjust the plan and keep forging through obstacles...I will get there one day! :)

I love your guts and attitude, so I will say that you MOST CERTAINLY will get there! It's a " pull yourself up by the bootstraps" climate right now, and honestly, after two decades in the field, I will tell you that it is a "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" kind of field! It is not for the faint of heart!

Please keep us updated! :) You are strong and you WILL DO THIS!

I love your guts and attitude, so I will say that you MOST CERTAINLY will get there! It's a " pull yourself up by the bootstraps" climate right now, and honestly, after two decades in the field, I will tell you that it is a "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" kind of field! It is not for the faint of heart!

Please keep us updated! :) You are strong and you WILL DO THIS!

Thank you for your support, it is most definitely needed right now! I will keep everyone posted...

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I'm a new grad RN-ADN and in attempt to stand out from the gazillion applicants for the 1 new grad position, I walked on to a unit in attempt to simply introduce myself to the manager. I just wanted 2 seconds of her time. I completely understand how swamped with work they are, but I didn't even get those 2 seconds. All I wanted was to introduce myself, possibly hand over a resume, and merely express my interest in the position and hospital. That's all and I would walk away and she could throw my resume away the second I walked away if she wanted, but at least I tried my very best. Well that's what I was thinking may happen. I was trying to go the "extra mile" and have her put a face to the name.

Instead, her door opened and she said she was in the middle of something and that if I wanted to schedule something I should have called then the door was literally shut on my face. Now I completely understand that in general if you want to set up a meeting, then you call and schedule, but in reality, what were the chances of me calling and her saying "sure come in on this day at this time" I doubt it. She seemed irritated with me just knocking on her door! Either way, I feel cut down in size after it took so much for me to muster up the courage to go through with it.

I have heard of success stories where new grads get at least an interview from doing this and it is even on some of the articles posted here telling us how to get our first position, but today I feel discouraged to even try that again.

What are your thoughts?

You were completely out of line. That might work if you're looking for a job at Wendy's or even Starbuck's, but it won't work in post professional areas.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I hear you. The general idea anymore, however, is to go through the "typical" channels. I applaud you for going out of your way. Regardless of her schedule, the NM did not have to treat you that way. Yes, may she had a very urgent issue or two she was juggling at the moment. Doesn't matter. She was not professional at all. Funny how people want professionalism from one end, but can't seem to deliver it from their end--unless it suits their need at the moment.

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Given how inappropriate the original poster's behavior was, I would not conclude that her take on the manager's rudeness was accurate. The manager could have had any number of issues going on at that time -- and it's not always an opportune time to even open the door and tell someone it's not a good time. She may have opened the door only because she was expecting someone specific. For instance, she has a physician in her office trying to explain why he felt it necessary to strike a nurse, and she's waiting for his superior to discuss the situation. She may have an irate family complaining about those mean nurses who wouldn't let them eat the pizza the nurses ordered for dinner or an anguished family who is being told that mamma died in the code that was just called. Maybe she was waiting for social services or the chaplain. She could be counseling an employee who was just involved in a sentinel event, comforting an employee who has just stepped in to tell her he needs FMLA because his wife has Stage 3 breast cancer or firing an employee who has been known for bullying others and is now threatening the nurse manager. The nurse manager did not have time for the OP; the OP seems to feel that she should have MADE "a second or two" for her. It's rarely a second or two, and even if it was, the OP hadn't made an appointment, wasn't expected and was not welcome. There are a limited number of ways to say that.

As far as professionalism -- the OP was not professional at all. If she expects to be treated with professionalism, she needs to behave with professionalism.

I agree with others that rudeness is never okay. The manager's cold treatment of your supposed gaffe COULD be an indication of that unit's culture and climate. Someone on this forum has a quote, I believe it's from Maya Angelou, which I probably can't quote exactly, but goes something like, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." (I think there is great wisdom in that.) If you get a creepy feeling, even if you were in the wrong, maybe it's a place to avoid.

Wouldn't the world be a nicer place if we could forgive those who trespass against us? (This goes BOTH ways!) I would love to see your story with a different ending. Maybe a kind and understanding smile and a comment such as "I really appreciate your interest, but due to time constraints, we simply must ask our applicants to go through normal channels, submitting your application through HR and following up with the recruiting office. I'm sure you meant no harm, but we must try to discourage walk-ins," or something to that effect. (I know, silly me.. but can't we Imagine?) (What Would Florence Do?)

Following the kindness road further, maybe you could send a note to the manager saying you are very sorry for arriving at her door unannounced without an appointment, you now realize how misguided it was, how annoying those interruptions would be, and you greatly regret any inconvenience you caused. (No groveling and no pandering, though.:))

Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

Yeah, it's been pretty standard in the places I've worked that if the door is closed that usually means "do not disturb" or be prepared to deal with the consequences. I'm sorry OP, while I can't speak to the appropriateness of just showing up on a unit, your hurt feelings are out of line.

Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

Op, I don't think you were rude. I did just what you did and maybe I caught the Manager at a good moment, but I was well received. I asked for 2 minutes and ended up getting an interview and shortly after, a job offer. I don't think your approach was inherently rude, but the manager may have been too busy or having a bad day. I applaud your tenacity, don't give up. With the way the economy is, one must do something to stand out.

I've worked in many an office, but missed the rule about the closed door, I guess. I'm also a new grad nurse and can understand being over-eager and following advice from an article on this forum to try to land a job. It is not an indication of lack of professionalism, in my opinion, just maybe inexperience. Give the OP a break, please. She clearly meant no harm. And yes, rudeness hurts. That is why it is not okay, no matter how important and valuable your time is, no matter how stressed you are by the requirements of your lofty position. If applicants for jobs were truly valued (and not a dime a dozen), that manager might have been whistling a different tune.

Specializes in PACU, presurgical testing.

I'm not a good cold-call person or even much of a salesperson; I have often joked that the only people who would every buy my fundraising crap from school were my parents, back when we were allowed to go door-to-door!

Imagine my chagrin, then, when my nursing school professors ENCOURAGED us to do exactly what you did. I thought, WHAT??? I can't just barge onto a unit and make them talk to me! Well, I did hand-deliver several resumes this way in my first round of job-searching; I was able to speak to a couple of nurse managers (who were all very nice and professional but didn't do more than take the resume from me), but the job I eventually got, I got by applying online, getting called in by HR, etc.

However, here's how I got my 2nd job, which I will start next week. I had been assigned to the unit as a student and kept in touch with several of my nurses there. They told me the unit needed per diems and I should bring a resume in and talk to the manager (there was a job posting online, but the way it was described, I wasn't sure I would get called out of the zillions of people who would apply). I dressed up, wrote a custom cover letter, printed it off with my resume, and set out. Well, the manager was in a meeting. A LONG meeting. I hung out as long as I could, but eventually I had to leave to pick kids up.

Now, what I think worked in this case was that a very well-respected nurse in the department brought my resume and letter to the manager for me after I left. She handed it to him and told him about me. He called HR. HR called me. I interviewed. I start next week.

Special case to be sure, but there are lots of special cases. True, some managers might not like the aggressive approach, but I think enough would at least put your papers at the top of the pile and remember who you are. Remember that HR is there to screen you out; managers are there to hire you in.

I acknowledged that the mger could have been dealing with something serious.

No. People do this kind of thing, and it can work, but you have go about it the right way. You need some inside information and a solid plan first.

What's more, the mger could have taken a second to say, I'm really busy...etc., and then graciously went about her business.

Lord, we have patients and families FAR worse in terms of demands and treatment. As a professional, the mger wouldn't have slammed the door in those people's faces--gee, at least I hope not.

It's the same double standard I have been talking about all along. Treat others "well," but treat nurses as somehow less than.

OP deserved the same courtesy the mger should have given to anyone else. If her boss had been there, I guarantee her response would have been different. You say, "Well of course." I say, "Why, well of course?" Respect and courtesy for others shouldn't ever be selective.

At any rate, you are going on about things when I already covered that bit in my response. Please read a person's post before you jump to a response.

BB is going to do all right. It's a tough market, and she showed initiative. But you just have think such initiatives through carefully.

Our free market wouldn't have gotten very far without cold-calling. There's is just a certain finesse about how you approach it.

People have to think, "outside the box." (Yeah, I know that phrase it tired, but it makes the point.)

This nurse needs support and guidance, not an ear beating for God's sake.

Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.

I am shocked instructors would recommend this. I have known a few managers who are warm, sweet people and they would make a few seconds no matter what to be polite. But most nurse managers don't get to their lofty perches by displaying warm, sweet personalities. If someone did that with my current nurse manager, she would be abrupt and dismissive, and then she'd complain to the staff nurses about it. As she did when she got a cold call via phone a couple of days ago.

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