Need help on how to find work =/

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2009

Unfortunately, they are in the "buyer's" seat. What choice do YOU have until you get your foot in the door and THEN you can move around.

And as for applying for experienced positions, I suppose there would be nothing to stop you from applying, but there is also nothing to stop the recruiter from discarding your resume. When they say "experienced", they usually mean experienced--aside from nursing school/clinicals.

rnffemtguy, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2009

Quick bit of advice I've found out is to contact the nurse recruiter at the facilities you're interested in applying at. They'll give you inside scoop on what's open and what the facility would like to see you apply for based on your background. It saves filling out endless online applications only to get a form email that says "thanks but we aren't looking for someone like you right now". Best of luck with the job search, I know how hard and frustrating it can be!

HM2VikingRN, RN · Oct 7, 2009

Put your resume on the federal job site. IHS and the VA use it for recruitment.....

Over 800 positions....

esthomprn · Oct 7, 2009

You say that your not picky but then you say you don't want to work with peds, psych, or OB. I was in the exact same position as you until I got REALLY desperate. I am now working at a hospital and a unit that I just absolutely hate but I realize that 1) I will get a good experience working that floor, 2) I have a job while others are still looking and 3) after working a year I will become a RN II then I could get a job where ever I want and then I will have that "experience" that they all want. Take those oppurtunities while you can so that you can get that experience and then you can get the job that you really want. You don't know how many people who would do anything for a job right now and some are doing jobs that they don't want to do. Also don't just limit yourself to hospitals, try clinics, correctional facilities, or school nurse.

MikeyBSN · Oct 7, 2009

Yes, the job market is tough. Maybe not as tough as it would be if you just gradated with a BS in finance and were looking for a job as an analyst, but still the market isn't so great, even for the RN. You are in a particular bind because you have no experience. So, I think you should try some of the following:

1. Make sure your resume is in good shape. Make sure there are no typos, and bring it to some people in the field who can tell you if you are highlighting your strengths.

2. Don't be picky. If you find a good job as a peds nurse, you might want to consider taking it.

3. Branch out in your search. Use the internet, walk into hospitals, go to career fairs, ask "mom's friend the nurse" if her hospital is hiring, look in the local paper ect. You might have to look beyond your current geographical area and take whatever opportunity you get.

4. I don't think it's wrong to apply to different positions in the same hospital, the resume will likely go to different nurse managers.

5. I was told never to apply to "experience required" positions because you are wasting your time. I did it a few times anyway, but was never successful. I guess it can't hurt, but it's probably futile.

vivicaq · Oct 7, 2009

Are you open to relocating? It might be an excellent way to go get your experience then later pick your region of choice to work in.

IcanHealYou · Oct 7, 2009

Are you open to relocating? It might be an excellent way to go get your experience then later pick your region of choice to work in.

Yes I am considering it if I really can't find anything in a couple of months. This my first time looking for a real job. It's really difficult because no one in my family has done any of this.

Thank you for all the suggestions everyone!

IcanHealYou · Oct 7, 2009

4. I don't think it's wrong to apply to different positions in the same hospital, the resume will likely go to different nurse managers.

How should I go about doing that? In my cover letter I usually only state that I am applying for one position. Should I just keep it open ended? Like, "I am applying to, but not limited to, the med-surg position"?

MikeyBSN · Oct 7, 2009

How should I go about doing that? In my cover letter I usually only state that I am applying for one position. Should I just keep it open ended? Like, "I am applying to, but not limited to, the med-surg position"?

That depends on how the application is set up. If you are applying online, they usually include a contact person for each position. You can send a separate resume and cover letter for each position and each contact person. If the contact person is the same, then I think it's okay to state a preference and say that you would be open to other areas. When I was looking for a job, the hospitals usually asked us for a few different areas we were interested in.