Following up with Nurse Managers

KJM-RN, BSN · Jul 30, 2013

I'm not really sure of the answer, but I think weekly is probably a bit much unless they seemed super interested and a week later you wanted to give them a call to see where they're at.

How did you manage to find the nurse managers to meet with? I've hunted down nurse recruiter offices, but I feel like it's too much to show up at the floor I applied to and walk into the nurse managers office. Is that what you've done? Was it well received by the nurse manager? Just asking for my own job search, I'll do what it takes to make myself known, but don't want to step on toes in the process. I have also found a few email addresses for nurse managers of floors I'm really interested in, never got a response via email though.

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2013

I think weekly is definitely too often and even bi-weekly is pushing it. If you want to follow up with nurse managers I think the best way to do that would be to touch base when you see a job post for their floor or when you have something new on your end to update them on. You need to have real reasons to initiate contact or they may end up feeling as if you're wasting their time.

If you're pursuing interests, such as ACLS certification or volunteering or anything like that it would be a great reason to send a "I wanted to let you know that I have been pursuing *****". Or specifically mention the job post and how you feel you would be a great fit. Too much contact will make you seem annoying, not enthusiastic.

I will say I am not a nurse manager but I have been a hiring manager and I speak from that experience. Yes, you want to keep up with these people, keep the contacts recent, and keep yourself on their list but you don't want to paint yourself as the annoying person that won't leave them alone even before a true interview.

Please do NOT take this as discouraging you in any way. I think it's awesome that you're taking the initiative to contact the nurse managers and get yourself out there. Now that you've made that connection you want to to the right things going forward to use it to your advantage. Good luck!

Ginnym1981 · Jul 31, 2013

I'm not really sure of the answer, but I think weekly is probably a bit much unless they seemed super interested and a week later you wanted to give them a call to see where they're at.
How did you manage to find the nurse managers to meet with? I've hunted down nurse recruiter offices, but I feel like it's too much to show up at the floor I applied to and walk into the nurse managers office. Is that what you've done? Was it well received by the nurse manager? Just asking for my own job search, I'll do what it takes to make myself known, but don't want to step on toes in the process. I have also found a few email addresses for nurse managers of floors I'm really interested in, never got a response via email though.

One of the NM I met with was where I did my senior practicum. I had introduced myself once to her during my practicum, left her a thank you card on my last day as well as sent her an email telling her that I would like to follow up post graduation/NCLEX re: positions because I really enjoyed my time on her floor. (she never emailed me back)

My preceptor, whom I'm still in contact with, and she encouraged me to walk-in on the NM because she has an open door policy. (not sure if this is all the of the managers at this hospital).

I was SUPER nervous.

I made sure I kept it short and sweet. Knocked on her door, called her Ms. X, and asked if I could speak with her for just a moment before walking in. I re-introduced myself, told her exactly what I wanted, handed her my resume and she told me that she did have a position but that it was on "hold" due to census issues.

I asked if I could keep in contact with her and if she had a business card. She told me "Sure!" and gave me a card.

The other nurse manager, I did NOT know but my preceptor told me that she gave her my name (recommending me) after our time together on her floor (they had just hired 4 new nurses on her floor so no openings).

This manager was extremely nice, though she had no openings for me. Again, I gave her my resume and asked if it would be okay for me to follow up with her from time to time and she agreed.

So, I've been lucky thus far just walking into their office. Just make sure you keep it super short and sweet and let them know what you want up front. I was basically looking to put my face/name out there and get the okay to follow up.

I'm going tomorrow to another hospital (same organization, just a smaller hospital) and doing the same thing, only this time, I KNOW they have an opening because I've applied and my status says "under consideration."

Hoping it will show my excitement and I plan on saying something like "Hi, my name is X. I wanted to come in today to introduce myself, put a face to my resume and say how excited I am for the opportunity to apply for X position. I've applied online but may I leave a copy of my resume with you as well? Well, I don't want to keep you from your work, thank you so much for allowing me to drop in on you, I really hope to hear from you soon. Have a good day!"

Hopefully, it works.

If not, well, at least I tried!

Ginnym1981 · Jul 31, 2013

I think weekly is definitely too often and even bi-weekly is pushing it. If you want to follow up with nurse managers I think the best way to do that would be to touch base when you see a job post for their floor or when you have something new on your end to update them on. You need to have real reasons to initiate contact or they may end up feeling as if you're wasting their time.
If you're pursuing interests, such as ACLS certification or volunteering or anything like that it would be a great reason to send a "I wanted to let you know that I have been pursuing *****". Or specifically mention the job post and how you feel you would be a great fit. Too much contact will make you seem annoying, not enthusiastic.
I will say I am not a nurse manager but I have been a hiring manager and I speak from that experience. Yes, you want to keep up with these people, keep the contacts recent, and keep yourself on their list but you don't want to paint yourself as the annoying person that won't leave them alone even before a true interview.
Please do NOT take this as discouraging you in any way. I think it's awesome that you're taking the initiative to contact the nurse managers and get yourself out there. Now that you've made that connection you want to to the right things going forward to use it to your advantage. Good luck!

Thanks Bloomgirl!

I'm okay with being just a tad annoying/persistent BUT not so bad that they don't want to hire me

The floor I really want to work on has a position that is on "hold" and I don't want to miss out on. I want her to remember me when she finally posts it.

I was kind of hoping to set up an information interview with her to get to know more about the hospital, her unit and her advice on getting hired there. I left a message last week (wed) asking for a 10-15 min appt with her (so I'm not just walking in) and haven't heard from her yet.

I know she's a busy lady but it would be nice to know if she was just too busy or what. I'm not sure when I should follow up with my request (or how, email or phone again)

I guess I can get my preceptors advice since she knows her manager's preferences. (unfortunately, my preceptor JUST had her baby so she is out on leave and can't investigate this for me)

KJM-RN, BSN · Aug 2, 2013

One of the NM I met with was where I did my senior practicum. I had introduced myself once to her during my practicum, left her a thank you card on my last day as well as sent her an email telling her that I would like to follow up post graduation/NCLEX re: positions because I really enjoyed my time on her floor. (she never emailed me back)
My preceptor, whom I'm still in contact with, and she encouraged me to walk-in on the NM because she has an open door policy. (not sure if this is all the of the managers at this hospital).
I was SUPER nervous.
I made sure I kept it short and sweet. Knocked on her door, called her Ms. X, and asked if I could speak with her for just a moment before walking in. I re-introduced myself, told her exactly what I wanted, handed her my resume and she told me that she did have a position but that it was on "hold" due to census issues.
I asked if I could keep in contact with her and if she had a business card. She told me "Sure!" and gave me a card.
The other nurse manager, I did NOT know but my preceptor told me that she gave her my name (recommending me) after our time together on her floor (they had just hired 4 new nurses on her floor so no openings).
This manager was extremely nice, though she had no openings for me. Again, I gave her my resume and asked if it would be okay for me to follow up with her from time to time and she agreed.
So, I've been lucky thus far just walking into their office. Just make sure you keep it super short and sweet and let them know what you want up front. I was basically looking to put my face/name out there and get the okay to follow up.
I'm going tomorrow to another hospital (same organization, just a smaller hospital) and doing the same thing, only this time, I KNOW they have an opening because I've applied and my status says "under consideration."
Hoping it will show my excitement and I plan on saying something like "Hi, my name is X. I wanted to come in today to introduce myself, put a face to my resume and say how excited I am for the opportunity to apply for X position. I've applied online but may I leave a copy of my resume with you as well? Well, I don't want to keep you from your work, thank you so much for allowing me to drop in on you, I really hope to hear from you soon. Have a good day!"
Hopefully, it works.
If not, well, at least I tried!

Ok once explained this makes a lot of sense and sounds like a good idea. I'd be interested in doing something like this for a few positions I've applied to. I'm also considering volunteering on floors I'm interested in so once there I'll have access to the nurse manager and I can show my dedication to working there.

How'd the drop in go the other day?