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Discussion

Applying for too many positions?

I am a new (older) grad and desperate to find a job. I have wanted to be a nurse since I was a child and can't imagine doing anything else.

The hospitals in my area all run on the same "program". If you apply to one job and one hospital, the others can see that. Most of them only hire new grads in 4 specific areas (ie MedSurg, Oncology, etc..), but have been know, on rare occasion, to hire in other areas (ie, Int. Radiology and PRN).

My question is 2 parts: A) Is there such thing as applying for TOOO many jobs, to the point you look desperate and they roll their eyes at seeing your name "one more time"? and B) Should I continue to follow their rules of only applying to the positions they hire new grads, or should I apply for the others as well?

My husband is about to retire (much earlier than we had anticipated) and I really need a job, but more than that I WANT TO WORK!

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    I think yes and no on the desperate thing. Yes, because if you are applying just to find a job and you really don't like the area at all or you know in your heart it's not a good fit and it really gives you nothing towards any sort of goal you have; then, you probably won't stay. I am big person on putting people in areas that will ultimately help them achieve their goal because there is a higher chance they will stay. If someone applies for like med surg, ICU, ER, OR, psych, etc.; that looks desperate to me because all of them are very different and have the potential to help other certain people on their career path. For example, I want public health. I usually look at med surg (I am a firm believer that can help new grads and should definitely be entry level positions), psych (psych patients often use community services and these people shouldn't be written off as crazy; I also think this should be a possible entry level), public health (obvious reasons). I don't look at ER, ICU, OR, PACU because I don't feel like that really fits into my career path and I would be taking someone else's opportunity that genuinely wants those areas to become a CRNA, flight nurse, or to stay on the unit. Plus, I am not interested in those areas; applying for them makes no sense.

    I think no as long as there is a theme to where you apply. Like putting in 10-20 applications all on a med surg floor, I can see that.

    That's just my opinion.

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    • Experts

    I agree with wish-me-luck. When I am hiring, I don't hire people who look so desperate for a job that they will work anywhere. Those people are likely to leave as soon as they find a job more to their liking -- and be simply using my job as a paycheck while they continue to look for a job they really want. I need to hire people who are going to stay. So I look to hire someone with a genuine, demonstrated interest in doing the type of work that I have to offer.

    You might be better off focusing your applications around "a theme" -- and investing your time and energy demonstrating an interest in working with that type of patient. For example, doing some volunteer work in a related area or getting some extra education in a related area, etc. Such things will help your application to stand out from the rest of the field who are just applying for anything and everything with no special interest in or knowledge of the specialty.

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    • Author

    Thank you for the advice! I was thinking along the same lines. I totally agree with not getting a job just anywhere. It's wouldn't be fair of me to take away a position in an area I would not be happy. The problem is that my goal is (has ALWAYS been) to be a NICU Nurse and unfortunately most don't hire new grads in that specialty. So I looked into L&D, Peds, Postpartum/Antepartum and Newborn Nursery...same thing, "no new grads." Must have minimum 1 year experience. (grrr!) So I'm left to apply in MS/Tele/Onc. I don't want to skip applying in my chosen areas, but that does leave me applying for multiple positions with no "theme" and may appear as though I can't follow the rules!

    I have gotten my PALS, ACLS and am looking into getting my NRP. Other than that and volunteering I'm not sure what else to do to show that I'm serious about this position.

    I know I'm rambling, but it's so frustrating knowing exactly what I want and I just can't get to it!

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    Have you applied to long term care or sub acute rehab? It seems those facilities are a lot more likely to hire new grads with no experience. MOst people in my orientation group at my hospital had worked in LTC for at least a short time. I got hired onto a progressive care unit after just 2 months sub acute rehab experience.

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