Childrens Memorial Hospital

fitRNpic · Nov 12, 2009

Not much of a chance unless you have experience in the specific field you are interested in. I live in Illinois and have been applying to Children's (along with every other hospital in the Chicago area) since 2007, I have yet to hear anything from them. Right now, the only positions they have available and posted are for EXPERIENCED nurses only. Experience in the specific specialty area is required.

Good luck.

dawn.b-RN · Nov 21, 2009

I am still in school, but wanted to add my son had surgery at Children's at about 8 hours old and the nurses were AMAZING, the whole place was awesome! Keep trying if it's a place you want to get to! Maybe try for ped's at a different hospital to get some experience? Good luck!!

mzjones6 · Nov 28, 2009

I've been working at childrens for 8 months and was hired in March as a new nurse. My floor just hired 7 new nurses, 4 that are new grads. They only hire during certain times of the year, in groups, new and experienced I believe because all our new hires started within a couple of weeks of each other. If you're an experienced nurse, I don't think you necessarily need experience in peds. I know there are postings for experienced nurses all the time. I would call HR and ask, but as of August we were still hiring. Keep in mind that the recession has hit us, for instance we didn't get a raise this year and the company can no longer match our 403Bs. But I love it here, I love the kids and its a wonderful place to work. We're in the process of building our new $1 billion hospital by Lake Michigan in downtown chicago, which is suppose to open in 2012. I would just keep an eye on the job postings on the site and apply. Also keep on HR about your application. I interviewed in the beginning of December and they didn't tell me I was hired until close to the end of January. From what I understand they are notorious for taking their precious time getting back to you about your application.

NICU_babyRN, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2009

I keep hearing about people who apply for jobs and "never hear" from a hospital. You HAVE to follow up on your application. Always always keep track of the date you submitted your application. A week after you submit, if you have not heard back from the HR department, you should call them to follow up! It's a matter of asking if your application has been received.

Never call first thing on a Monday morning or on a Friday afternoon. Mondays are chaotic in the AM with thousands of e-mails received over the weekend. Friday PM you are asking to to talk to someone who's SO ready to go home!

Best time to call? Probably Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning.

When you call, you want to make sure you write down the names of the people you talk to. When you call again, REMEMBER those names. "Hi, I spoke with ____ about my application...."

Be pro-active in the process. If you are given the e-mail address of an HR person, OR even over the phone, say that you would like to meet at a 'MUTUALLY AGREEABLE' time to discuss ALL employment opportunities available at the facility. Yes, you may want a peds job but with the current economy, if you want to work in a certain hospital, then you should get your foot in the door and then transfer units after a while.

Bottom line, be pro-active in the process.

1john4:10 · Nov 28, 2009

Thanks everyone, I think I'm gonna try in about a year or so.

psumarval · Dec 18, 2009

I'm applying now for their March internship....any tips??

mzjones6 · Dec 18, 2009

Psumarval,

When you go for the interview just be open and honest. I actually applied for the PICU and they decided they wanted me on another inpatient unit, so be open to perhaps going to another unit unexpectedly.

If they haven't called back after a week or two, call or email. If no decision has been made another week or so after that, call or email again. I did that about 2-3 times in the month and a half that I waited to hear back. You have to stay on top of them, and make sure you're always on their mind to be hired.

Ask lots of questions during the interview and during your tour (you will shadow an RN on the unit you're applying for). I also sent thank you notes to the two HR personnel that I interviewed with, and the director of my unit, who I also interviewed with. Just remember to be proactive in the process.

Good luck!!

fitRNpic · Dec 18, 2009

I keep hearing about people who apply for jobs and "never hear" from a hospital. You HAVE to follow up on your application. Always always keep track of the date you submitted your application. A week after you submit, if you have not heard back from the HR department, you should call them to follow up! It's a matter of asking if your application has been received.
Never call first thing on a Monday morning or on a Friday afternoon. Mondays are chaotic in the AM with thousands of e-mails received over the weekend. Friday PM you are asking to to talk to someone who's SO ready to go home!
Best time to call? Probably Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning.
When you call, you want to make sure you write down the names of the people you talk to. When you call again, REMEMBER those names. "Hi, I spoke with ____ about my application...."
Be pro-active in the process. If you are given the e-mail address of an HR person, OR even over the phone, say that you would like to meet at a 'MUTUALLY AGREEABLE' time to discuss ALL employment opportunities available at the facility. Yes, you may want a peds job but with the current economy, if you want to work in a certain hospital, then you should get your foot in the door and then transfer units after a while.
Bottom line, be pro-active in the process.

I have applied to every hospital within the Chicago and Metro areas as well as the Southern part of Wisconsin to all positions (and I MEAN ALL Positions) in Peds, PICU, NICU, and OB(L&D, nursery, special care nursery, mother baby). I am a very PRO-ACTIVE job seeker. I call and don't get any call backs. I send emails to HR and to the Unit managers. When I do get a call or email for an interview, I show up on time (most of the time early), dressed professionally, I take a few copies of my resume and cover letter (printed on nice paper, in a matching envelope, and matching business card), I research the hospital prior to and come with a list of questions; Afterwards I send Thank You's to all I came in contact with (within 24 hours) and I send a follow up email with attached cover letter and resume and a follow up phone call within a week after the interview. In doing all of this, I still have not been offered employment! I don't understand what I could possibly be doing wrong. Most of my interviews have lasted longer than an hour and everyone always seems to be really nice and act interested, but no offers. I am always told by HR or I get an email stating that they decided on another candidate that had more experience in the area or just pursuing other candidates. When asked if there was anything I could have done better in the interview, I am told no.

So, I am at a loss at to what else I need to do to get a job in the area I desperately want to work for the rest of my lifelong nursing career. I feel I have done everything possible.

I've tried the foot in the door thing and it didn't work out. I will never do that again! I've even done the open and honest approach at interviews, and that doesn't work either.

So, If anyone can give me any better advice as to what I need to do to get a job in NICU, I'd very much appreciate it. I worked in a NICU for 4 months and have been blackballed by them (I recently found out from a recent NICU employee at this hospital, that the manager and other upper staff members are pretty crooked in this NICU). I have had nothing but bad luck with jobs in Northern IL since I moved here shortly after getting my license, where I had never had these problems previously while living in Central IL. I am ready to move if that is what it's going to take for me to get a great job, but I can't afford another state license and I can't afford to move. I feel STUCK!

melissap67 · Jan 31, 2010

Good luck rnpic! I know you're going to find a job eventually. Have you tried University of Chicago? I see a lot of posting on their website for Comer Childrens Hospital. GOOD LUCK again!

fitRNpic · Feb 6, 2010

Good luck rnpic! I know you're going to find a job eventually. Have you tried University of Chicago? I see a lot of posting on their website for Comer Childrens Hospital. GOOD LUCK again!

Yes, I have applied to every NICU, PICU, and Peds position there as well. I check most of these hospital's employment listings at least once a week, if not daily.

Thanks, I need more than luck, I need a miracle!