I've been holding back on this post for awhile, but figured I might as well finally do it. I'm a late June graduate of a nursing school in NYC. I've been hunting since August for a job and only have gotten one interview for a job which turned into an offer. I sadly had to decline the position because it involved moving for a part-time job that would have been difficult financially. Currently, I'm looking for acute care and physicians practice positions. I have zero interest in LTC as I spent alot of time in an LTC facility with my father who passed away. Between the horrible memories of my dad and how badly I saw the nurses treated I just can't get myself to do it. I'm willing to commute upto 105 minutes outside of NYC, but a full move would need to be within 2.5 hours of NYC due to the need to get back quickly. Also, it would need to be to a city that doesn't require driving because due to an congenital eye muscle abnormality I cannot drive.
This is a first career for me even though I'm 35. Before nursing my life was a mess between my dad being ill, and a lot of other things that I don't want to get into online. Finally, nursing gave me a career path which I am extremely excited about. I was wondering if anyone could take a look at my resume/cover letter and help me out?
I totally understand about the challenge of applying. It's a numbers game it seems, but it is definitely important having connections...
I was in the same position: graduated in May, License Mid-August, applied to 30+ jobs. The only two times that I was able to receive the opportunity of interviews was through connections... made through LinkedIn!
Because I went to Nursing school away from the NYC area, I wasn't able to make connections here, so I looked to LinkedIn. I reached out to Recruiters, asking to connect and asking what their perspective of an ideal nurse candidate is. I even reached out to nurses who worked at those specific hospitals, and asked for their experiences, etc. To be honest, I didn't want to ask if the manager was hiring because I didn't know them, but instead, waited to see if they would offer.
I would suggest building a strong LinkedIn profile, maybe reviewing your resume again (Feel free to share it with me, if you'd like), and consider writing a cover letter. After reviewing everything, start reaching out and asking to connect with others on LinkedIn to help build a network!
Good luck!
Hi i have a linked in account but the only connections i seem to be making are with traveling agencies looking to send someone a 1,000 miles away.
Hey.. similar boat as you.. older new grad from spring 2019.. licensed in Aug.. didn't really start looking until october and was so discouraged for a while.. I did get 1-2 interviews a month through indeed, mostly ambulatory surgery centers (because i was intentionally looking for those), but no offer. Ask your nursing school friends if they have contact info they're wiling to share with you.. Also, after 2 months of no hospital calls, I decided it was time to revamp my resume and less than a week later, i had my first email reply from Northwell Talent Acquisition to do an online interview. (Although, I will say I had to apply to 50 postings before Northwell reached out at all). Hospitals are hard to get a reply back from without someone directly referring you.... It can take months for some (I had hospital connects but didn't want to reach out to them).. Try to use keywords that pertains to that job posting.. I'm sorry to say that GPA isn't enough. LinkedIn has been pretty useful in actually acquiring the HR recruiter name that wouldn't be listed on the job posting on the hospital website. Don't compare your job search journey to others.. It will easily get you depressed and discouraged; it happened to me! Keep at it and know the right job will come at the right time.
Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN
343 Posts
Hi i have a linked in account but the only connections i seem to be making are with traveling agencies looking to send someone a 1,000 miles away.