Not one but two job offers today!

Nurses Job Hunt

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Ok so I'm very fortunate to have found work after passing my NCLEX and taking a few months off for myself. I've posted about a LTC job that I accepted and then turned down after red flags. I posted here about my current job. Today I was offered a job with the largest healthcare employer in the state in Med-Surg AND was offered a job at the VA hospital in my state. I feel quite blessed to have such a "problem" lol.

Im just finishing orientation for my current position as a rehab nurse. I'm starting to feel better about the job as I get better at managing things. I have a HUGE decision ahead of me. I need to let the big corporate hospital know my decision by noon tomorrow. Both offers will involve a considerable pay cut compared to what I make now, but I can foresee being stagnant with my current employer--I'd eventually need to leave to branch out (it's a small specialty hospital), whereas the other two hospitals would offer lots of room for growth. Guess I'll start a good old pros vs cons list. I hope to make the right decision.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Congrats!!! :up:

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WOW, Congrats!! Stories like this remind me that although the job hunt can be heart wrenching, it can and will also work out! So happy for you. Do you have any insight or advice for a new grad on the job search? Any advice or tips on interviewing?

Thanks!

Thank you! I do have tips, and honestly, the job market can be like night and day in one area vs another so keep that in mind:

(1) Keep consistently putting in applications; it may be months later (as was the case with the VA) where an employer contacts you for an interview/job.

(2) Keep looking to tweak your resume to highlight areas where you have supervised/been responsible for others, took leadership on a project (even in school), and any specific skills you are strong at. I worked as an LPN, so I highlighted IV skills, supervision skills, etc.

(3) Network, network, network. Keep in touch with your classmates--many times they can provide referrals to their nurse managers on your behalf. I texted a classmate and she spoke with her manager and told me to apply, and let her know what I applied for so that her manager could pull my application! Contact your clinical instructors after you graduate--many still work in the hospital. I did this and was offered a position because one of my clinical instructors is a nurse manager for her floor. She hired another former student last year. If nothing else, they may be able to pass on your resume or connect you with a hiring manager.

(4) If/When you get any interview, OWN IT. I prep for an interview like it's a test lol. Practice good eye contact, esp since most interviews are panel interviews, with multiple people present. Confidence shows, if I don't believe within myself that I'm the person for the job, why should the potential employer believe it? Read the job description/duties posted, and bring out in the interview how you've demonstrated those qualities in clinicals/past employment.

(5) Be positive! It's extremely difficult to get one rejection after another, but have faith that despite every "no" all you need is that one "yes" and it's out there for you. Sometimes it's not always "no" it's more of "not right now." The first hospital that I mentioned in my post above, rejected my on-line applications for various positions at least 8 times! I kept trying and it paid off. Remember the quote on attitude: 10% is the problem, 90% is our attitude towards the problem.

(6) Don't box yourself in. So many new grads have this dream or ideal job that, frankly, may not exist for them right now. My mom would always say "Sometimes you have to crawl before you can walk." You may need to be willing to take a job in home health, LTC, hospice, etc. while you look/wait for the coveted hospital job. Once you get that first job as an RN in any setting, it's much easier to find another job because you are learning valuable skills such as time management, communicating with patients and the healthcare team, plus any nursing skills your job requires.

Hope these tips help other new grads that are going through the grueling process of finding a job!

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Congrats!!! :up:

Thank you!

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What great advice! I will definitely be reading this often and taking your advice. THANK YOU!

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What great advice! I will definitely be reading this often and taking your advice. THANK YOU!

You're welcome! I'm so glad it's helpful to you, and I wish you all the success in finding a job and in your nursing career!

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Specializes in public health.

Have you had an opportunity to job shadow? I don't know how much time you have before you have to reply them, but I'd ask to shadow the nurse for a couple of hours in each place. That way you will know if you like the team you work with, management. If they say no to your request, then you probably get a sense of how accommodating and flexible they are to their employees. I'd go for the VA for the benefits and room to advance.

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Have you had an opportunity to job shadow? I don't know how much time you have before you have to reply them, but I'd ask to shadow the nurse for a couple of hours in each place. That way you will know if you like the team you work with, management. If they say no to your request, then you probably get a sense of how accommodating and flexible they are to their employees. I'd go for the VA for the benefits and room to advance.

The first hospital did not give me a lot of time to respond. I did not ask to job shadow, but I do know of 3 RNs and 2 CNAs that worked there so I immediately contacted them for feedback. Two of the RNs, both hired within the past six months, have left because of the demands and poor work/life balance. The third RN had a very negative experience that she didn't want to discuss that preceded her departure. The CNAs were both long-term employees (7+ years) who left over the past 3-6 months due to poor treatment and a toxic environment.

The real issue for me was these former employees worked at four different hospitals all under the same corporation. For me, that was too much to be a coincidence. Ultimately, I've decided to stick with my initial decision, and declined the job there, even while waiting for the VA's lengthy hiring process. I would've taken a $7/hr pay cut to work there, and if it turned out to be a toxic environment for me as well, I'd have burned a bridge with my current employer since I've only been there a month, so I'd be stuck. The grass is not always greener I guess. I'm happy with my decision. I think it's the best for me and my family. My husband also works at the VA, so I'm pretty familiar with the environment there.

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This was a couple days ago but congratulations! This is so awesome and encouraging! :)

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This was a couple days ago but congratulations! This is so awesome and encouraging! :)

Thank you very much!

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