From your own experience???

mtngrl, ASN, RN · Jun 1, 2006

Who did you give your application to? When I was applying at a hospital I found out who the nurse recruiter was and sent one to her and one to human resources. The recruiter got back to me quickly. I would call the recruiter and let her know you have an application in and that you are very interested and is there any positions open for what you are interested in. If you don't know who the recruiter is call and find out. Or if the place has a website it should be on it. Hospitals are always in need of nurses, so your lack of work history really shouldn't be much of an issue.

grentea · Jun 3, 2006

I always found that some nurse recruiters were a little more "on the ball" than other ones. Since it's been more than a week I think a little call to the nurse recruitment office to make sure they received your application and to show interest in the job would probably be a good idea.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2006

Some recruiters/human resource departments as a matter of routine wait for follow up contact from the applicant. This is for a number of reasons. One of them is to see who is assertive and self-directed and who is not. It is just one way of evaluating someone's character since that is pretty much all they have to go on when they hire people. I suggest that you get on the horn tomorrow and call them. Tell them it's been a week, you haven't heard from them, and you'd like to set up an interview for an open position. How's that for assertive? You need to have a good, plausible reason to explain why you waited so long to take your state boards because you will most likely be asked about this. I would guess that they are going to be curious that you may have attempted to take it several times, so be prepared to be questioned about that. Do not offer the information, however, until you are asked about it. Whatever the reason do not to make yourself look weak and victimized. I would lie if I had to because your personal life is no one's business. A direly ill relative on the brink of death who needed your care and attention always works to ones benefit. Never put your weak points out on the table (and this is a weak point, I think you already realize that); only your strong ones--true or otherwise. Whether or not you get hired is at stake here.

nore2526 · Jun 6, 2006

I went to apply at a rehab/nursing home and was hired on the spot. The reason I went to apply was because I had not heard from the hospital. Well as soon as I get hired I received a phone call from the hospital wanting to interview me. I scheduled an interview for Wednesday. I really want the experience that a hospital has to offer vs the NH. I've been working for about a week at the NH and I can honestly say that I like it. It's taking a little getting used to all the patients and meds they are on but I'm slowly getting there. The only thing I don't like is that between passing out meds and charting, there is very little time if any for interacting with the patients. I feel they need more attention than they are getting. If I get hired at the hospital, I probably want to work both jobs. I'm really eager to learn and the hospital will be a better learning experience for me. As far as the interview goes, I'm just going to be honest about everything. I passed my boards the 1st time I took them, It took me so long to take my boards since graduation because my wife is in the military and had to go to Texas for six months after I graduated and rather than stay in Fl. with the kids, I chose to go to Texas with the kids and be with her. After returning to our home in Fl. six months later, we took a vacation and than I was ready to take my boards. So I'm just going to be honest about this and about taking a job with the NH and hope that this see this in a positive way. Thanks for all the advice, It feels so much easier making a decision after reading some of your replies. If you have any more advice or comments I would love to hear them. Thanks