Floored...rejected New Grad application before graduation????

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

I was on the internet this morning and found a facility about 5 hours away that I wanted to apply for.

The website did not have the name of nurse recruiter, no instructions for how New Grad's application, and the application actually took close to an hour to complete because the website was extremely complex...and I am very computer literate.

I found a link for May 2009 grads, so I hit the "apply here" icon.

Well, imagine my shock, when only two hours later, I get an e-mail stating, "We regret to inform you that after careful review of your application, you have not been selected for further consideration." It was sent from an e-mail that seemed almost automated.

I have a very solid work history prior to school, a very good GPA, etc.

Needless to say, I'm floored. The e-mail went on to say, "We encourage you to apply for positions that meet your interests as well as our qualifications."

So, I had to call the hospital and left a message (she wasn't in) for the nurse recruiter letting her know what happened. I said that I have received the e-mail, that I 100% respect their "decision", but I wanted to make sure that I didn't inadvertantly make a mistake in completing the application and was a little shocked to get the e-mail.

Personally, no way in heck did anyone "carefully review" my application.

I'm like, jeez...what the heck are they looking for? I'm sitting here wondering if I accidently hit the radio button saying that I was a convicted felon or something stupid like that.

I was very, very careful in going through the application, but it was the most complicated on I have seen so far.

See, I don't know if I missed a cut-off date for application for new grads, whether the state (it was different) required that you pass the NCLEX first before you start working, if they only hire BSN's, if they are assuming I'll need relocation assistance and don't want to pay for it (which I will at my expense), or that I won't drive in for an interview (which I will at my expense), or if they can clearly see by my work history (because they even asked for high school information and the year of graduation was a mandatory field) that I'm pushing 40 years.

Any ideas? Seriously, this has just wrecked my day and it makes me wonder if I am going to find a job at all...if a hospital rejected me without even meeting me before I even graduated.

[Jolie, BSN]

I'm sorry for your frustrating experience.

It sounds like an automated response from an institution that is not really looking to hire at this time.

In this economic climate, more than ever, it will be helpful to have some "in" within an institution in order to get your resume and application past the gate keepers of HR, who usually have little connection with the actual managers on the units.

Even finding out the names of the managers of the units which interest you and mailing them your information directly is helpful.

Best to you.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Hiring freeze.

[vashtee, RN]

I doubt it was anything about you. They probably just aren't hiring.

I don't care for online application processes. I think you are MUCH better off meeting people in person. Try to make contacts NOW while you are in nursing school, and be sure you get letters of recommendation from all your clinical instructors.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

I really appreciate the kind of words are support :)

If they have a hiring freeze (which no place really likes to admit they have), that's ok...I am ok with any of the reasons...but I would be more than happy to reapply at a later date.

The good news is I just scheduled an interview with my top choice hospital and location. So, that means I have two interviews scheduled for this month, both of which I am grateful for.

I got this one just by following up with the recruiter. As soon as I called, she scheduled me.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with the others -- hiring freeze -- or at least a semi-freeze. At my hospital, we are giving interviews to a few new grads for the summer with the expectation that we will have a handful of positions. We have a list of "preferred" characteristics and if you don't fall into those particular categories (e.g. previous experience in the specialty as a CNA, extern, senior-year preceptorship, etc.), you will probably not even get an interview.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

Thanks again.

I was wondering why they even posted for May 2009 grads, and then it dawned on me that they were probably screening resume objectives for those students who were willing to work in hard-to-place areas such as oncology, etc.

Which, if that is the case, they are right, if offered a job, I wouldn't take it.

But gosh, it would just be nice if they sent more info with it!

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry for your frustrating experience.

It sounds like an automated response from an institution that is not really looking to hire at this time.

In this economic climate, more than ever, it will be helpful to have some "in" within an institution in order to get your resume and application past the gate keepers of HR, who usually have little connection with the actual managers on the units.

Even finding out the names of the managers of the units which interest you and mailing them your information directly is helpful.

Best to you.

So this would be acceptable?

Most of the hospitals I am applying to are 2 and 3 hours away from my home because we need to move to an area of where I am planning to get my BSN. So, I don't have any connections with these hospitals.

I can probably find out who is in charge of the area I want to work in.

I just wanted to make sure that was ok...I hadn't thought about doing that.

[Jolie, BSN]

It's fine, as long as you understand that it doesn't replace going thru HR for the formal interview/hiring process.

As a nurse manager, I used to occasionally get unsolicited resumes and cover letters, which I would read and keep, or toss, depending upon the impression they gave me. When an opening came up, if I had an interesting candidate "in my file", I would contact that person prior to advertising the position. Sometimes they were interested in interviewing, sometimes not.

The other option is to contact a manager and ask for an "informational interview." You acknowledge that there are no current openings, but express your sincere interest in the unit. Ask for 1/2 hour of the manager's time to learn about the unit and what you can do to make yourself attractive as a candidate for future openings. Most managers are willing to do this on occasion for interested and well-prepared candidates. Always follow up with a nice note.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I understand your grief at this. I get these a lot, even with places that definately do not have a hiring freeze. One in particular is at a new hospital opening up soon. Granted they might not be taking new grads there yet, but this place also doesn't have new grad specific openings either. I've also applied at places, did a phone interview and within the hour got the automated declination letter. I am seriously considering calling up the managers of units and hospitals I'm interested in, just to ask what it takes to be considered for thier units.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

BTW...one of the reasons that I posted this is because if you haven't had this happen yet..it sort of flips you out a little.

The very busy nurse recruiter at this particular hospital, was kind enough to call me back. She said there was nothing wrong with my application and she said that they only had two positions open...and both required prior externships in the area first or at least work as some sort of tech....so anyone that came in that didn't meet those requirements, they sent out a letter.

However, she did say she was getting quite a few calls on it...people thinking the same as me...that they may have "clicked" something wrong on one of the resume screens...so they are going to revamp the letter....I didn't suggest it...(I wouldn't have dared!)...but it was really, really nice of her to call me back.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

BabyLady, I think I've got you one better. I applied for a position last night, received a call from the nurse recruiter this morning. When I returned her call she asked when I was going to graduate. When I told her I graduated last May, she then asked what I had been doing since graduating and had I been working. I said no. She then informs me that they would not be able to continue on and offer me an interview, but that I was welcome to reapply when I had a year's experience. With all the other new grad applications they were getting, my experience was such that they felt they could not interview me. I had to seriously bite my tongue on that one....