Applying for jobs aggressively?

[eaRNed]

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!

[OCNRN63, RN]

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!

I was just thinking you should take the OCN exam; that might give you an edge over others if you want to stay in oncology or get into an outpatient oncology center.

[RN1263]

What's going on now a days is flabbergasting compared to when I graduated in 2007. Then, if you had a decent resume and half way decent references you could get hired as a new grad in ER, ICU, step down, psych, you name it.... It is so sad to hear that nurses are now stuck in positions they hate.

The only advice I can think of is to get your resume professionally done and perhaps it will stand out above the rest.

[johwiklundRN]

eaRNed,

Im a 25 y/o MAN RN in a similar position. I recently graduated and had a hell of a time getting a first job. Aggressively seeking employment, I would call on any lead, find out the people who were in charge, call, leave messages, and follow up, and never quit. I would always be polite, and remember names, but I would be persistent as hell. This tactic worked for my first job, I had to move almost 300 miles to get started in a SNF, not exactly my dream job, but I needed the exp, and my family and myself need the money. I was actually desperate. I tried to never let managers and recruiters know this but I was.

SOOOO after about 6 months, I feel just a little burn out, and am ready to look for a new and better job. This time I am relaxed and confident, I feel qualified, with great professional references. I feel good about myself as a nurse. I started with a little research, I scanned the online listings of local hospitals to see what positions were hiring, how long the positions have been posted, (IE the longer the position the position has been posted, the longer they have been trying to fill it. Now, before I ever even applied online. I went to the floor in person. Just a fly on the wall. This is a Nuero and Trauma Med Surg floor, I wanted to get a feel for the kind of patients being seen, the equipment being used, and most importantly the interactions between nurses. Inevitably I get the attention of a floor nurse with a free minuet, I was polite (even charming :)) and I asked if there was a charge nurse for floor manager available. within in 2 minuets, I was in the nurse managers office, We talked, I told of my experience, I told what I was looking for in a job, told a little about my philosophy on pt care, handed her my resume smiled and shook hands.

2 days later I applied for the position online, and got a call back the same day. The recruited told me they had "been waiting for my application!" I nailed the interview and start orientation Jan 3. The whole process took about 3 weeks.

What I have taken from this experience is IT DOES PAY TO AGGRESSIVELY SEEK A POSITION... I mean what do you have to lose? Nobody is going to disqualify you for "wanting the job toooo much". Be polite and persistent. DO as much research as you can, and then FIND A BACK DOOR! an "in"... somebody who will inevitably make a hiring decision, and make an impression on them.

Best of luck to you in your search eaRNed