For those new grads who are employed, what's your method?

SweettartRN · Dec 16, 2010

I googled all the facilities, agencies, hospitals etc in my area. Then I found the email addresses for HR and even if they said they weren't hiring I still sent my resume over. Nurses quit and get fired every day and I still get calls from some of the resumes that I submitted. I ended up with plenty of interviews and offers by doing this. Ymmv.

JacknSweetpea · Dec 16, 2010

Definitely sleeping around!!*wineI'm kidding!!

Bobbkat · Dec 16, 2010

Don't be shy or feel 'above' using any possible lead you can to get a leg up. I relocated to a new area where I didn't know anyone. I KNEW I would be a great nurse, had excellent recommendations, excelled at clinicals, and a high GPA from my BSN program. It was getting me NO WHERE. Someone at home knew a doctor that used to work in a hospital I was applying to. The doctor graciously agreed to call the unit manager and give her a heads up about an application I had submitted. In the sea of hundreds of aps for the position, it helped mine get noticed.

Do I feel guilty? Not one little bit. That doc might have helped me land an interview, but the interview was mine to make or break. If the hospital wants to play the 'you have to have an inside connection as a reference' game, then play along.

As for contacting recruiters, tread carefully. In my area it really pissess them off when you try to go around the 'we only accept applications online/if we're interested we'll call you' system. That was my experience, at least.

grateful2010, LPN, LVN · Dec 16, 2010

These are all great advise. I'm currently employed, but it isn't where I want to be. I obtained my current job a few months ago by being persistent, like most of you. The negative tone on the forum about new nurses unable to find work is depressing. I no longer read those threads. I guess whatever will be, will be.

RNDreamer · Dec 17, 2010

I got my current job by just simply applying online. With every potential employer that called me, all I did was apply online or apply in person if allowed. I never followed up for any application statuses.

Some of them took a few months to get back to me. I also applied for jobs that preferred experience, and even jobs that I did not expect to get a call back for. Definitely do not apply to only "new grad" positions. One hospital called me for a position I did not even apply for. Maybe my resume was passed around?

Apply, apply, apply. That was my only secret so far. Right now, I'm trying to network my way into a more desired position.

lizlea · Dec 17, 2010

I have found that the process for most hospitals is that the HR office receives resumes/applications, sorts through them, and then gives them to nurse managers who then call potential candidates for interviews. I got no where when I called the HR office, but I would call nurse managers directly. It would go something like this: I would call the main number for the hospital, ask to talk to the operator, ask the operator to connect me to the floor I submit an application to, and then I would ask that unit clerk to speak to the nurse manager (or supervisor, depending on who does the hiring). I would talk to the nurse manager or leave a message saying something like this: "Hi, my name is _______, and I just wanted to let you know that I submitted an application to work on your floor. I wanted to see if you have any questions and tell you that I am very excited about the possibility of working for you!" The nurse managers loved this and would even ask HR for my resume directly. Hope this helps!

AKAnurse4 · Dec 17, 2010

Apply Apply Apply! Even if it says "experienced ONLY".

SnowStar4 · Dec 17, 2010

I worked as a nurse tech while in school and networked as much as possible. I used the internal directory to find managers of the units I was interested in at our other hospitals (mine won't hire new grads) and contacted them directly. I also asked my manager to forward my resume to all of the head nurse recruiters for each of the hospitals in our system. I had an offer before I graduated in my dream field and started this week.

Two months later, most of my classmates are still unfortunately unemployed. I tried to tell them to get hospitals jobs all through school, and they thought it was not needed. The hospital systems in my area rarely hire new grads that are not internal. It's tough out there.

As for getting a hold of these nurse recruiters....for hospitals not in my system I would just call the main line and ask to speak to a nurse recruiter. Some would connect me some would not. I also asked anyone I knew who worked at a hospital to please get me a # of a recruiter. Many of them were very friendly and helpful when they explained that they would place their own grads first and I could keep applying but not to keep my hopes up.

ItalianCowgirl · Dec 17, 2010

I just graduated, but I spent all last Summer job-hunting for an aide job at hospitals. Couldn't get so much as a call back. Then I started calling some of my clinical instructors for references and one of them put in a good word for me with a floor manager, and I got hired at a big hospital! They are helping me with NCLEX, and training me as an RN. Working as an aide is hard, but the experience and getting comfortable working hands-on with patients is invaluable! I feel very fortunate.

So my suggestions would be to network with people you know, other nurses and instructors. And apply for less-sought after jobs, like rehab, nursing homes (ugh), or even doctor's office. Any experience is good experience. For example, the hospital network I work for also has doctor's offices. If I worked at one, I could apply for a job transfer instead of as a stranger off the street. Most of the time employees get first pick of available jobs before people off the street do.

I hope this helps you and any other new nurses! Good luck to you!!! :)

Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2010

So many times, IMO, it happens when you are just in the right place at right time. I got my job as a young new grad with no nursing or healthcare experience at all because went I went in the facility near my house, they told me they weren't hiring new grads at the time but offered to call a neighboring facility in the same company. The receptionist at the place said I looked like her daughter, so I guess she liked me. She got on the phone and called down to the other place who WAS hiring, just not 'new grads'- per HR. Receptionist sent me down anways.. I went, filled out an app, just so happens the ADON (who LOVES new grads and loves to mentor), took my app from HR and interviewed me then and hired me. She knows so many places refuse new grads saying they want experience, but how is anybody going to get that? She likes to be the one to give people a chance. She says almost all of the new grads she hires are excellent and STILL employed. We come without bad habits, are full of enthusiasm, and no burnout! Many of the experienced nurses come and go quickly. When I think of the nurses at my place who are the best, all but one are 'new grads' who were hired by this ADON.

Sorry, I went on a tangent here but, I see it a lot- being in the right place at right time and meeting the 'right' people by happenstance! Keeping a good professional reputation, being cordial to everyone- the nursing world is small and your rep can precede you. Smile, be friendly but not fake, being charming but not smarmy Persist! Don't be afraid to ask if places are hiring in person, keep a resume on hand at all times, go to job fairs.. I have been offered interviews since I've been hired but declined because I like my job. Having a resume to hand to someone you meet WHERE-EVER is a good tool too- I have had the DON of a facility sitting next to me at the nail salon! If I had been looking I could have given her my resume then if she were hiring- we struck up a good conversation and she was very nice. You never know.. Persevere and if you're good, you WILL find a job. :redbeathe

OhLookItsRalph, RN · Dec 17, 2010

Hello fellow nurses! Where can I personally find a Nursing Recruiter? Actually I didn't know it exist. Hope to hear from you guys

RevolutioN2013 · Dec 19, 2010

Contacts, contacts, contacts. Your contacts don't get you a job. They get your resume put in front of the person who hires. It put your resume on top of the stack of 200 that the hiring person is looking at.

Here is what I would ask my contact::

"What's your input about getting hired at (where they work)?"

"I'm really interested in working at (where they work). Would you be willing to give my resume to the (Nurse Manager, DON, Personnel Director, etc)?"