Applying for jobs aggressively?

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Specializes in Pre-Op, Med-Surg, Oncology.

Hello everyone, this is my first actual post on this site. I have been reading through the forums for about a year now and have never really taken the time to register and speak up. Anyways, to the topic!

I have been working at my current job as a generic Med/Surg floor nurse for approx 1.5 years. It is a floor that also specializes in Oncology but other than that, I have really gained nothing special that will set my application apart from the 12,000 other competing RN's that are after the same jobs I am. My question is this: Will taking my paper application personally from job to job and pushing to speak 5 seconds with the nursing recruiter to introduce myself and drop off my resume actually do any good in seperating myself from the field? I am a 25 yr old male nurse and I would really love to move into a unit or oncology specific position but the hospital I'm currently employed at is too small and "clich-y" to ever make any reasonable progress at. I am mainly looking to hear from those who have tried this approach and their stories and from those who have been in the hiring position with the strong push for "online applications" these days. Thanks for everyones input!

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well, i'm not who you're looking to hear from. i'm in school working on my BSN as a second career - but i have applied for a lot of jobs with the local hospitals ranging from patient care techs to receptionist. all over the website and in their emails it clearly and repeatedly states something to the effect of "all of our applications are done online. if you have questions, do not call the office - we will correspond with you through email if their is a position meeting your qualifications, blah blah blah"

basically - "don't call us, we'll call you."

someone else may have different feedback, but in my current situation, with the hospitals i'm familiar with, i'd never take one in person - now OR when i complete my BSN.

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I know you are not a new grad, but I will share my experience. A lot of new grad positions now specify not to call or come in person unless invited. It is as the PP suggested, dont call us we will call you. The hardest part is getting through the HR screening, so that your app actually makes it to the nurse recruiter or nurse manager. I think networking is your best bet. Talk to everyone you know, classmates, friends, family members. Talk to your former professors, it is all about knowing that one person that can get your foot in the door to the right contact. Most of the time going in person I was turned away, they took a resume but wouldnt let me past reception.

Best of luck to you! Hr is overun with us new grads trying to get in. lol.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I made an attempt earlier this year to do that. I am a new grad and the job was for an ED internship.

I have worked in the ED as a CNA and did my preceptoship in the ED. This was my dream job!

So I of course applied online, then I I made a nice little packet, with cover letter, resume, letters of reccomendation, and copies of my clinical evaluations.:idea:

I went to the hospital tried to speak with someone from HR.and nope, can not let you

Because it was a large hospital system, I was able to at least get the recruiters name and phone number.

So I started calling once a week to speak with her,

After 3 weeks I caught her at her desk, where she told me that infact my application had been forewarded on to the ED manager:yeah:, and that there was nothing else I could do to make my application stand out.

So the next week I go to the hospital to the ED and try to speak with the Manager, and again no such luck, I very nicely said all I needed was 1-2min to meet him/her and to provide an printed resume.

I was told that it can not happen they are in meetings all day and I could leave a message.

a month later I got my rejection email:crying2:

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Specializes in Pre-Op, Med-Surg, Oncology.

I guess I am discouraged because I do simply hate the place I work at now. Not to mention I have to travel over an hour to get here. And that magical year of med/surge is completely useless at this point with nursing in the state it is now. I am very strongly considering the option of pursuing my OCN certification and ACLS and re-applying afterwards but that would require admitting to myself that I will be at this same employer for at least another 6 months. It's just so hard to get my size 10 1/2 foot in a door somewhere that I could see myself working for the next 3+ years! Although somewhat discouraging, I do appreciate the replies!

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Obtaining specialty certification is a good idea but certification alone will not be enough to make your resume stand out in a saturated job market. Consider volunteering with a non-profit organization, joining a professional nursing organization and/or participating on a hospital committee. If you do everything you can to network and prove to people that you are an outstanding, dedicated professional, you will find opportunities will start to come your way.

dishes

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I am of the mind set "what can it hurt". OK maybe they will turn you away... but what if they don't? What if they speak with you, decide your fabulous and hire you on the spot? If you want it... well then it is definitely worth the effort... despite the outcome.

Just my opinion.

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When applying for jobs it is important to show professional courtesy for another's time. If the manner you use to get human resource's or managment's attention is percieved as a lack of respect for their time, you will not get the job.

allnurses' career section of has a lot of good advice, https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/wondering-why-you-84387.html

dishes

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I know how you feel OP. I have been on a medical floor for a little over 2 years and am ready to move on. After countless online apps I finally have gotten 2 calls...one position I did not get but I have another interview coming up. Up until then I would swear that no one even GOT the applications.

Keep applying to any job you are interested in and network. I think it realy helps if you know someone at the facility. Which I don't.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I think with 1 1/2 years you should have hope for getting noticed. have you started sending resumes out? I think just start sending out for jobs your interested in. ACLS trainging is only a couple hundred dollars so if you don't want to committ to 6 months just pay for it yourself or pay them back if you leave. I have noticed in my area job openings are popping up again. Good luck!

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Old nurse here ;). The in person with resume in hand approach worked

for me years ago, but in outpatient opportunities. The workplace settings

are smaller many times and walking in is often welcomed especially if

they have openings or soon to be openings. That said, it took a lot

of knocking on doors, but the offers finally came through.

I can tell you in my area, job fairs were a waste of time. It was nice

to meet and hear about opportunities, but none of the group I was

with had any calls. even after sending a thank you and following up.

Lastly, if there is an MD in the specialty you are interested, try to

get his/her take about how you can make your resume/experience more attractive to get the nursing job you would like...

Best of luck, keep pressing on....there are still opportunities out there,

but it takes patience and persistence.

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Specializes in drug seekers and the incurably insane..

Aaah....since there is a glut of nurses, both LPN and RN in my area, it is difficult for all of us to get jobs or find different jobs. A lot of nurses I've known to land hospital positions have friends in "high places" so to speak. I guess networking is the answer, and knowing the right people.

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