Graduating in December 2013 with BSN (Dallas area)

[ediitundoo]

I will be graduating in december and I will be moving back to the Dallas area, specifically McKinney, and I have read on various boards how difficult it is to find a job in the DFW area and I wanted to know if anyone has any tips on how to improve my chances of getting hired.

I was thinking about applying as early as October as a graduate nurse but I have only found two hopitals that are open to hiring graduate nurses so far (texoma medical center, which is way out in Denison, and the childrens medical center in plano).

I will have a BSN from Texas Tech and I have a 3.9 GPA so far, will this improve my chances at all??

I'm starting to get a little nervous about being able to find a job so ANY ideas, suggestions, or tips would be amazing!!! Thanks!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

GPA will not matter all that much. In these parts it is who you know. If you still have connections here you need to start contacting them in September.

In DFW new grads are generally brought on board only twice a year through internships - January and June. Almost none of the hospitals will hire a new grad outside of an internship. Internships are very competitive. Having a BSN will give you a slight edge. Having a good GPA might allow you to apply at certain places that have minimum requirements but it won't be a tie breaker. I hate to say it, but it just has so little bearing on how trainable a person is and the hospitals know this.

Getting the coveted interview will depend on your connections getting your name to the right people, you having a local address (and being available to interview in person) and a bit of just dumb luck. Make sure the key words on your résumé match what their ad states they are looking for. If you get an interview, personality is key. On paper a new grad is a new grad is a new grad. It's a level playing field. You have to be someone they want to work with and someone who comes across as happy, emotionally strong and eager to learn.

Good luck in your last semester. Don't forget, NEVER move ANYWHERE without a written job offer with salary and start date.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I disagree with the PP. GPA can be a major factor in the process of applying to formal 'transition' programs for new grads because there is usually no nursing work experience upon which to base the decisions. Parkland is still in the process of beefing up staffing, and has opened up a lot more opportunities for new grads. You should check them out.

Totally agree with advice - make sure you have a formal job offer before making the move.

Good luck!

[kevsgirl1]

I think GPA matters around here. I have gotten interviews for 5 competitive ICU positions in large hospitals in Dallas. I did not go to nursing school in Dallas and did not know anyone in the hospitals. I was told by many people that GPA did not matter, but I don't have any other explanation as to why I got interviews to all of the positions I applied for other than my GPA. My GPA was always mentioned in interviews by HR and the managers. It stands out...

A BSN does help. All of the places I applied to either required or preferred BSN applicants.

A tip - write a cover letter that mirrors your values/experiences with the mission/goals/values of the hospital. Give concrete examples. I always submitted a custom cover letter with applications.

You are graduating at a good time for internships! Many are beginning to open up to apply soon (for a January/February start) so be on the lookout! Some are only open for 1-2 weeks. I know Baylor opened theirs on the 1st and it will be open until the 15th of this month. Baylor has many locations available. Good Luck :)

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

GPA can be a weeding out factor in terms of garnering an actual interview, but I have found it means little in the interview itself. Personality and ability to get along or positively impact the team already in place matters far more than GPA.