Finding a job... which contacts are good contacts?

[KhloRN2be]

I'm a 4th semester SN and I have a lot of friends who have already graduated and have not found jobs. It doesn't help that I'm in an area where most hospitals have hiring freezes. I've been told that a lot of the grads from the last class that got jobs did so because of their externships or they knew someone at the hospital. Has anyone here found their job because they knew someone at the hospital?

I have a family friend who is the Director of Revenue Cycle Operations in a hospital at the other end of my state, and I'm willing to move. Do you have to know an actual RN in the department, or do you think my connection might suffice? I'm not really sure what that job entails or how important it is. Thank you so much!

[Carrie_MTC]

Any contact in this job market is a good contact. During clinicals make a good impression on the staff nurses, always offer help, ask if you can observe, etc. When you finish your clinical rotation send a letter to Nursing Mgmt for that unit and let them know how much you enjoyed your clinical experience there. Let them know when you will be graduating school, and how much you would like to get a position on that unit. Just make sure you are always making a good impression, because believe me someone is watching.