Advice Needed for Applying to Jobs

[studentnurse1989]

Hello!

As a new grad nurse, I would like to apply to a specific type of department in lots of hospitals all over, and then if I receive no job offers, start applying to other departments.

I would like to send applications to hospitals even though a job was not posted. When sending an application to Human Resources, should I indicate on my cover letter and resume that I am seeking a job in that specific department? Should I write in my cover letter about how I have really wanted to work in that ward for a long time? If I don't write which department, I could be contacted about jobs in all of these other types of wards. I don't really want that to happen yet, because I want to wait for a few months to see if I can get a job in the type of department I would like. The issue is that I don't want those Human Resource departments to kind of disregard me in the future for working in another type of department if my plans don't pan out like I wanted them to.

What would you suggest that I do? Thank you so much!! :)

[Jolie, BSN]

Without knowing the specifics of your plan (clinical area desired, number of jobs available in your area, etc.) I would not suggest limiting yourself in any way in your Job Search.

New grad nursing positions are already scarce, and far outnumbered by applicants. If you limit your options early in the application process, there may not be any jobs of any type left when you go back and revise your job search.

Unless jobs in this specialty are very plentiful, I think it is better to get in the door of a facility or agency, prove yourself valuable, then work your way into your chosen specialty.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Moved to Nursing First Job Hunt Assistance for more response.

[KelKelRN]

Hello!

As a new grad nurse, I would like to apply to a specific type of department in lots of hospitals all over, and then if I receive no job offers, start applying to other departments.

I would like to send applications to hospitals even though a job was not posted. When sending an application to Human Resources, should I indicate on my cover letter and resume that I am seeking a job in that specific department? Should I write in my cover letter about how I have really wanted to work in that ward for a long time? If I don't write which department, I could be contacted about jobs in all of these other types of wards. I don't really want that to happen yet, because I want to wait for a few months to see if I can get a job in the type of department I would like. The issue is that I don't want those Human Resource departments to kind of disregard me in the future for working in another type of department if my plans don't pan out like I wanted them to.

What would you suggest that I do? Thank you so much!! :)

I originally thought I would start out applying ONLY to my coveted position (NICU), and then branch out to all other units after I had exhausted these applications. HOWEVER, what became abundantly clear to me very early on in the application process was the amount of time that it takes to create a profile just to apply to hospital A would be wasted if I did not also apply to ANY and ALL other units that I could at the same time before moving on to hospital B. Just my two cents!!

[studentnurse1989]

Thanks! :) You gave some good advice! I have had no luck so far with getting a job in my chosen specialty, so I am now starting to hand out general applications. That's a good idea to get in the door of a facility, and work my way to my chosen specialty.