I had a total of 12 interviews and 5 offers. I accepted the offer into a great local hospital new grad program. (I turned down other jobs along the way because of a lack of orientation). In my area, like almost everywhere else, the hospitals are not hiring new grads. We had one new grad program come up that I've found since I've been looking (6 months) and I did not get selected for it.
I wanted to tell you all about how I got into this new grad program, though I'm not exactly sure myself! This hospital did not advertise the program. But I apply for anything and everything that doesn't firmly require 1 year experience. If they say 1 year preferred, I apply and that is what happened with this job. When I look on their website at the jobs I applied for, 7-8 positions, each one says Not Selected next to it. Yet they called me to interview for their new grad program!
At the same time I was also offered a job on the rehab floor of a LTC facility. It actually seemed like a pretty good place to work, 5 weeks orientation and great salary but of course I turned it down for the new grad program.
I was getting so discouraged about doing online apps, but apparently that is how they noticed me. I know that my resume and cover letter are strong. I don't have any healthcare experience but I tied in my past experience with nursing, i.e. time management, prioritization. My cover letter conveys my passion for nursing and excellence in patient care with my own mission statement.
I went into that interview with the goal of selling myself. I did my research about the hospital (and wove comments about their history into the conversation) and had answers for all the possible scenario questions (from Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic guides I found out about from this site). I made sure to let them know I am positive, supportive, and excited about the opportunity.
I also get all sorts of job leads on my twitter feed and get daily updates from careerbuilder for my area. I apply right away, which is part of why I think I got so many callbacks. I mailed my cover letter and resume to 28 subacute/rehab places in my area and got 4 calls/2 interviews from that.
Anyway, I wanted to let you all know that one of these online apps may be your golden ticket. You just never know. I have been out of school for 4 months and let me tell you, I was in absolute despair about the situation. If nothing would have come through, I was going to start applying at doctors' offices.
Thanks everyone for contributing to this website. It has helped me all along this journey and will continue to for many years I am sure.
