contacting nurse/unit managers?

workingspaz · May 23, 2011

gather together all your stuff ( resumes, copy of license where applicable) and just DO IT! (show up) the worst that could happen, you get turned away till another day. the best? you could get hired on the spot! ps- if in daytime i'd suggest showing up from 930-11 or 2-430. best of luck

FunRun · May 23, 2011

If I were you I would first apply to the posting, then I would get in touch with the nurse manager either via e-mail or phone call and let them know you are very interested in becoming a tech on there floor. My guess is they are going to tell you to apply when you meet/call them so it will be good to have that done first. I most def would not just show up, however that may be some peoples style and might work just great. I also know that you could be showing up on a very busy day and be the last thing the NM wants to deal with. Just some advice, hope it goes well :-)

ischialspines · May 23, 2011

I've just graduated and been hired, I will tell at you what I did, because it worked well (I got a new grad job in the area/hosp I wanted in a very tight market!). I did not work as a CA before grad, though I do have non-hosp health experience.

1. I identified the hospitals/floors that I wanted to work on, thought about why I was interested in that particular floor/hosp.

2. I called the hosps and asked what the name was of the nurse manager in the unit I wanted, so I could address the cover letter, and then applied for the position(s).

3. After I applied for the position, I called the hosp, asked to be transferred to the nurse manager of that unit, told them I had applied and was interested in scheduling a time to meet with them and possibly shadow a nurse in their dept. They asked me what attracted me to their unit (so I'm glad I had thought about it!) and then scheduled times for interviews (!) and got copies of my application. This is a tough market, so I was surprised to get interviews so easily. I had been trying other methods through my last semester to no avail.

4. Met, had interviews, 2nd interviews, and offers both places.

Though these were GN/RN positions, that's where you will be, so I hope that helps. Be honest and upfront, tell them you want to work on that floor after graduation as an RN.

jelly221,RN, MSN · May 23, 2011

I've just graduated and been hired, I will tell at you what I did, because it worked well (I got a new grad job in the area/hosp I wanted in a very tight market!). I did not work as a CA before grad, though I do have non-hosp health experience.
1. I identified the hospitals/floors that I wanted to work on, thought about why I was interested in that particular floor/hosp.
2. I called the hosps and asked what the name was of the nurse manager in the unit I wanted, so I could address the cover letter, and then applied for the position(s).
3. After I applied for the position, I called the hosp, asked to be transferred to the nurse manager of that unit, told them I had applied and was interested in scheduling a time to meet with them and possibly shadow a nurse in their dept. They asked me what attracted me to their unit (so I'm glad I had thought about it!) and then scheduled times for interviews (!) and got copies of my application. This is a tough market, so I was surprised to get interviews so easily. I had been trying other methods through my last semester to no avail.
4. Met, had interviews, 2nd interviews, and offers both places.
Though these were GN/RN positions, that's where you will be, so I hope that helps. Be honest and upfront, tell them you want to work on that floor after graduation as an RN.

VERY helpful!! I've been wondering how to go about this as well. Thanks! :yeah:

ischialspines · May 24, 2011

no prob! also some other advice - be kind, be curteous, be persistent. be the person/nurse that you would want to work with. and always send a thank you note :)

also, remember a genuine compliment goes a long way!

ischialspines · May 24, 2011

I'm an rn student and a nearby regional hospital has just posted nurse tech positions on 2 floors that I am very interested in working at upon graduation. Currently, i have my BS in biology and work p/t in retail since November. I have a 3.7 cum gpa and a very positive report with my professors/clinical instructors.

oh yeah, how many semesters do you have left? are you trying to get a job as a CA for experience or to get your foot in the door for an RN position? At least in my region it seems like they like to hire nursing students with about a year left of nursing school (after our "Level II") as techs, but not so much after, bc they know that they will be wanting a job as an RN - so the tech training will be 'wasted' and they will be back in the same position.

SNB1014, RN · May 24, 2011

per the above question, i have my mini semester starting june 1st of mental health and then i have one full yr. so next yr this time, i should be taking my nclex :-)

and I am interested in working at this particular hospital because of its close location, reputation, positive experience there during clinicals, better learn how to prioritize patient needs and balance care amongst multiple patients, and oh yeah...get an RN job there upon graduation :-)