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?

Specializes in geriatrics.

"When people show you who they are...believe them the first time." This may not apply with this particular story, however, I have often found this to be accurate. In a nutshell: trust your intuition :)

Here's another way that the mger might look at it.

A candidate for a management roll is interviewing. One of the interviewers asks her how she would handle the scenario OP presents. In order to reveal if the mger has values of treating ALL people w/ respect, they pose this situation and how she might handle it. I will bet the boat that she would respond in the manner that she did w/ OP as an appropriate or best response fro the scenario.

Think about it. Step back, and just think about it.

In fact, such questions need to be placed in interviews, if for no other reason but to further establish the values standard and get the candidate thinking.

Again, not only b/c I know my mger husband, but b/c I presented the scenario to him--who is constantly stressed and putting out tons of fires per day. I didn't give him multiple choice on how respond. I simply asked him what would he do. He said that he would say "I am in the middle of something crucial now, receive the resume, thank him, and go back to his work. And let me tell you something, he works more hours than almost any NM or CNO I have seen anywhere--and I have worked in a ton of places.

Again, this is business, which is critical in that people have to be responsible for million dollar projects and losses. Companies consider, believe it or not, that the investments are likened to codes when there is that kind of money on the line.

Still there is a ethos that needs to be considered here--if that is true for businesses that don't involve human life or death, how much more should it apply to our "business."

This is not an either/or scenario, and maturity and experience can teach us that in many situations, either/or is a limited perspective.

"When people show you who they are...believe them the first time." This may not apply with this particular story, however, I have often found this to be accurate. In a nutshell: trust your intuition :)

Yes, it isn't a hard, set law. People and situations are indeed complicated. But so many times it is true.

What nursing as a whole needs to do is show not only patients and the "select people" that we are a caring profession, but it needs to breed this mentality towards each other--rather than the too often antagonistic or careless attitude to fellow nurses.

Plus the OP is a new grad, and she needs guidance and support, period.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

closing thread for a cooling off period. I think the OP has gotten a lot of response from both sides of the desk in this thread.

As hard as it is to find a job these days, I don't think you did the right thing here. You can't just walk onto a unit unannounced and uninvited. I know you want to show that you are proactive and a "go-getter", but this is just unprofessional. It is a process to land a job, and I had trouble out of school as well. You first start with calling HR to follow up on the status of your application about a week or two after it is submitted in full. Ask if you can arrange a brief phone conversation with the hiring manager. See where that takes you and leave it at that.

Take this as a learning experience. If you want to stand out, make yourself stand out in a positive way. Demonstrate maturity and professionalism. I cannot stress enough however that your action was...misguided. Good luck and message me if you would like to discuss this further.

I was invited to an ICU unit in my area to check things out through a friend of a friend who is a Nurse, do you think this will work in my favor? DO you think I should be prepared with my resume, cover letter and letters of rec if I get to meet the unit manager?

Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

I'm sorry this is so humiliating. Don't worry you'll be in the driver's seat soon. Everything changes eventually. Right now is a game of resilience. The one with most patience and determination wins.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I was invited to an ICU unit in my area to check things out through a friend of a friend who is a Nurse, do you think this will work in my favor? DO you think I should be prepared with my resume, cover letter and letters of rec if I get to meet the unit manager?

Like I said in a (much) earlier post, keep in mind that not every NM is thrilled to see a new grad walk onto the unit, especially if they are trying to score a job. And unless this "friend of a friend" was the NM herself, that connection doesn't guarantee you any sort of welcome from anyone, even if you are there just having a look-see.

So it's a chance that you will have to be willing to take.

But yes, if you do decide to take it, have your portfolio with you and at the ready. IMO, if you're going to go through with it, you may as well make the most of it.

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