A new graduate's maybe stupid question

[sfcwtu]

I am a new graduate. I don't have special interest in any unit. Many of the units are acceptable for me. Since I know that not every unit accept new grad, I'm thinking about pick one from whatever is available. Now my question is --Do I need to specify what are the departments that I'm interested in in my resume? Or, In my resume I can just generally put "Objective: to obtain a RN position for a new graduate"?

Thanks!

[maolin]

If you don't have strong feelings for a particular unit, I don't see the harm in fishing around for whatever bites. However, please do be selective in the unit you accept. As much as the unit manager is interviewing you for a position, you are also intervewing them. Make sure that wherever you go they have a strong supportive new grad program, a good orientation, lots of resources and you click with the staff. If you aren't feeling the vibe, keep on looking. Ask about these things as well as staffing ratios, preceptor experience/incentives. I'd recommend a unit that has a nice variety of patients so you can learn as much as you can and avoid getting bored if a particular type of patient or case turns out to not interest you.

Good luck to you!

[maolin]

Oh - and answering your specific question - I always modified my objective toward the specific unit I applied to. So maybe add "Medical/Surgical Nursing" to those you send to a general unit. "Women's Health Nursing" to a gyn or L&D or PP floor, Critical Care for ICU, IMC. And so on. It's best to taylor the resume objective, cover letter and thank you note to the floor you are targeting (instead of generic mass mailing). This attention to detail can really make an impression and seal the deal for you.

[sfcwtu]

Thanks a lot, Maolin!! Your advice is really realistic and helpful! Then, here comes another question. I'm applying for a hospital in another state. From their website, I can submit my resume online, to the HR I guess. Did you mean, if I do have some preferred units, I need to send one of my resume with general objective to the HR and some other resumes with specific objectives to those unit managers as well? May both the unit manager and the HR recruiter give me an interview? Thank you!