Contacting unit director about a job

newgradRN001 · Feb 5, 2011

I think email is great because it is not as confrontational as showing up in person and the unit manager can read the email on his/her own time. I think it never hurts to show your passion and desire to work in a given specialty. I know that emailing the unit manager at my NICU is how I got my job. Whether or not it turns into anything depends on whether the email is read (that's the downside to email is you're not always sure it didn't go to the spam box or was ever opened), whether the unit manager like's enthusiastic emails, and whether they're looking for someone. So if you don't get a response don't be discouraged. I think you can never go wrong with a professional email and with any professional networking when you are so passionate about your specialty. Keep your passion alive, be patient (I knew going into nursing school I wanted to work in the NICU so it took me 5 1/2 years for my dream to come true), work hard, and I am sure you'll be in the NICU.

prplscrubs · Feb 9, 2011

I wanted to say that I am in your boat so I thought I would share my experience.

I applied for a job in the NICU of the hospital I work at in Feb 2010. I then e-mailed the manager of NICU and told her who I was, that I had always been interested in NICU and that I had applied for the job. To my surprise I got an interview!! I was so excited:yeah:. Well as time has gone on, I have not yet been hired for the NICU but I keep calling her/emailing her telling her that I am still interested etc. I told her I hoped I didn't come off as pushy and she said no that I needed to keep on her, so that is what I have done. I am (hopefully) in the final stages of this transfer as I will be meeting with her later this week to see what I have to do to finalize transferring to the NICU and starting an orientation.

It has been a very frustrating process for me:confused:, but I am holding out hope that this has all not been in vein and that I will soon be in my dream job. We have to be our own advocate. I do believe I would not have even got the interview if I wouldn't have e-mailed her in the first place and I also don't think I would still be being considered if I hadn't been keeping in contact with her for this past year. Good luck to you !

dawnebeth · Feb 9, 2011

I always tell people to call or email the unit manager--sometimes monthly, to keep your name fresh in her mind when the unit does start hiring.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Feb 9, 2011

I'd send an email, but keep in mind that at some institutions, such as mine, HR handles all the interview setups, etc. Our manager's hands are tied sometimes.

I'd send a professional note stating that you are interested in working in an NICU and plan on putting in an app, then ask if they allow shadowing in the unit and see if you can set that up. Gives you a chance to network too. Our manager will often ask us what we think of a shadower, esp if we are hiring.

sophie<3 · Feb 10, 2011

well i did send an email the other day..i was pretty nervous about hitting that "send" button because once you do, you can't take it back. if a unit manager is one of those people who are annoyed by people directly contacting them about jobs then there's that possibility i just screwed myself over. BUT i sent it anyway..i haven't heard anything back yet which I sort of expected. i know managers are busy and that is one of those things that aren't top priority. hopefully she read it though and if/when a position becomes available and i do apply, she will remember me. it was worth a shot! thanks for the advice :)

sophie<3 · Apr 24, 2011

well i never heard a response from the unit manager...but i am not at all discouraged because i landed an externship this summer in the NICU where I was trying to get hired as a tech! So now they will for sure know my name and my face :)