Contact the nurse manager??

[Sarah LnDHopes]

I've seen a lot of posts mentioning that in a job search it can be helpful to contact the nurse manager of the floors you are interested in directly, essentially bypassing HR/recruiters.

But how to do this tactfully? How would you find their contact info? It seems too pushy to just show up, or call the floor.

Any thoughts on this?

[Jolie, BSN]

It is never possible to bypas HR entirely during the hiring process.

It's fine to contact the nurse manager directly, via e-mail, mail or phone to make an inquiry, but the first thing s/he wil do if interested in you is refer you to HR to complete paperwork.

It is never acceptable to simply "show up" on a unit in the hopes of meeting a nurse manager. This poses a security issue and demonstrats a lack of understanding and respect on the part of the candidate that the manager is a busy person whose responsibilities are to attend to staff and patient care issues.

[tryingtohaveitall]

I think it's fine to leave the unit manager a message or send an e-mail summarizing your experience and desire to work there. We have seen applications lost or never sent along by HR, even on qualified candidates. But I agree completely with Jolie, don't just show up on the unit for many reasons, wait til invited.

Good luck!

[Sarah LnDHopes]

Thanks, that is what I thought, just showing up would be inappropriate.

Also, I understand that you can't bypass HR entirely, only that they aren't necessarily the most proactive party in the hiring process...

So in terms of contacting the manager by phone/email, do you call the unit and ask for this information?

[tryingtohaveitall]

Thanks, that is what I thought, just showing up would be inappropriate.

Also, I understand that you can't bypass HR entirely, only that they aren't necessarily the most proactive party in the hiring process...

So in terms of contacting the manager by phone/email, do you call the unit and ask for this information?

You could, though I'd try first to get it through the hospital website or the operator. The unit's probably a busy place without time to answer questions.

[shannonFNP, BSN, MSN, RN]

These days, it's nearly impossible to get an application past HR in my area without contacting a manager first. At one hospital we had 10 CNA positions. I put my application in (when I was a CNA) 3 times, no phone call. Emailed a manager, was hired the same day. Same thing with LVN. Application went in... HR said they couldn't give me what I needed. Talked to a manager, was hired same day. Mind you, I was very qualified for both of these positions, and the hospital is in major need of these positions! These were at two seperate hospitals. I also put in an application at another hospital and never heard anything. I called them, and they offered me a position-- they had never received my application! 3 different HR's and the same problem.

I agree with those above, don't just show up if you don't know them. Find what their email is or give them a call. Often managers never get the paperwork or don't have time to sort it. In my experience, they've all been pleased that someone is interested. The extra initiative has always paid off for me.

Usually to get this information, I call the operator to get the manager's name. If you know their name, you can usually figure out their email. If you have an HR rep's card, you can see their email address, usually first initial and last name. If you have the managers name, you can just plug it in.

[CHATSDALE]

good ideas here

the nurse managers knows what positions they need and while they will as a matter of protocal, send you to HR, calling them or emailing a resume would give them a chance to call and verify your past employement etc

and if they don't have anything open at that time you will not have wasted your time

[Nurse Salt]

What I recently did was call the hospital's main line and ask the operator for the manager's name, number and email if available. I then emailed the manager and detailed my experience and interest in a brief email. She had her assistant call me back, I was interviewed and hired. She told me this showed her my initiative and was impressive... The worst they can do is say "No, thanks" Its worth a try...

[loricatus]

A good way of contacting the Nurse Manager is by using a staff member as an referral. This way you can email or leave a message saying so and so suggested I contact you about my interest in working for your unit.

A good way to get that so and so is to show up on the floor at the wee hours of the morning (not during a busy time) and ask if any of the nurses have a moment to discuss what it is like working there. Of course mention why you are asking. This way you may get the low down of things there and if they like you, you will get the referral to contact the NM.

I only suggest this because it has successfully worked for me and I got a real interview of staff and the floor prior to even talking to the NM. Of course, after I spoke to the NM, I was referred to HR, who was told that I would be hired, so I didn't have to go through their pointless questioning. It was sort of a backwards approach to the hiring process that was more efficient.

[Jolie, BSN]

loricatus,

Just a word of caution. I agree that there is no better referral than one from a staff nurse, and if a candidate has a connection (no matter how distant) to a staff nurse that's a great asset and great opportunity to "name drop".

But I strongly caution anyone against visiting any unit unanounced, regardless of whether it seems to be a busy time or not. Security is much more stringent in most hospitals than in the past. Anyone seen on a unit at an odd hour would (and should) set off alarm bells. Having worked my entire career in maternal-child health, I can assure you that an unknown visitor on these units will get a security escort out, which would be an unfortunate way to begin one's job search.

As a former nurse manager, one tool that I welcomed was the 'informational" interview. If a candidate contacted me directly, I would meet him/her for an hour or so, tour the unit, discuss their experience and our needs. It was informal, and not a job interview. If I had an opening and I liked the candidate, I contacted HR for paperwork and a salary quote. If I didn't have an opening, I kept the resume on file in my desk. That way, I had a "secret stash" of candidates when a position opened up. I don't ever remember having to rely on HR to fill a position. That's a good thing for both the manager and the candidates!

[loricatus]

Sorry, I wasn't thinking about the specialties involving babies. You are absolutely right regarding not heeding my advise with them.

I will have to clarify myself and just say that it is a feasable option for the ER and possibly an ICU unit. Security has been helpful in escorting me to a unit after being told why I was there-so, there may be differences in what hospitals will allow.