Apply Now VS. Attending the Job Fair next month

[EmaL RN]

hi, everyone. I still haven't applied for new grad program yet since i passed my boards last June. I had to research some infos first like pay scale, patient ratio, weeks of training, and type of nursing on the hospitals that i like. I end up liking 3 hospitals which will be in the Nursing Job Fair by next month.

My friend told me to just go straight to the Job Fair next month, so I will be able to network and meet the nurse managers and recruiters.

My other friend told me to just apply now by sending my resume online since there is an opening in the unit that I like. At least, there is less competition now than submitting my resume in the job fair.

What do you think?

[RNDude]

If you already know you would like to work on the unit with the opening, why wouldn't you apply there?

Don't miss the job fair if you haven't gotten a job by then, but I don't see the advantage of delaying your applications.

[GeminiTwinRN, BSN]

I agree with RNDude! :)

Go for the unit you know you want to work on, but just in case you don't know for sure you secured the position, it can't hurt to check out the job fair. You may find the unit you want to work on is going to hold off on hiring for that position until after the fair anyway, and you'll be ahead of the game!

Good luck! :)

[S.T.A.C.E.Y, LPN]

I'd apply now, to make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity in case they plan to hire before the job fair. AND I'd go to the job fair anyway, talk to the managers/recruiters and drop off another application. That way, just in case your first application was passed up, you're giving yourself a second shot, plus some face-to-face couldn't hurt.

Best of Luck to you