help

[team RN]

I am a new nurse. It is my second career. My first job Med surg lasted 5 months. I had horrible manager and I resigned. After that I had difficulty finding a job. Recuiters thought I failed my orientation. The only job I could get was in a OR. Well 7 months later they asked me to resign. They overhire. I was one of 21 orientees. They asked most of us to resign. It is a continual thing there. Well now I cannot find a job. No HR person will touch me with a ten foot pole. 2 jobs in less than one year. I have put my resume out to 15 + hospitals and no one has replied. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Vegas RN, MBA]

team rn, do not despair.

i am assuming that you did just not send a resume when an application was also required. when e-mailing for a position (which you did not specify, but may be likely), a thorough application is frequently required. whether in-person or e-mailing, fill out every section of the application in detail and be honest. if filling out in-person, use legible handwriting in black ink.

have you had people you trust review your resume (not your friends, they will hardly ever give suggestions)? perhaps it's boring and lacks experiences you have had. a chronological resume would probably not be appropriate for you. a functional resume may better suit your and your potential employer's needs. never underestimate your accomplishments, but do not overstate them either. there are many resources on the web that can help you compose a functional resume.

did you write "laid off due to departmental downsizing" as the reason for leaving your last job? it is appropriate to state that you were laid off when you were asked to resign due to downsizing.

did you write a specific resume for each of the 15 jobs you applied for, highlighting the experiences that you have had that matches specifically what the employer was looking for? for example, the ad states the nurse will be "responsible for providing patient care based upon the nursing process". you write "provided direct bedside nursing care to patients of all ages, including (whatever you have done as it applies to the position you are applying for) based upon the nursing process". i think you get the idea. writing a resume is difficult, but demands your utmost attention as it is the first line to sell your services to a potential employer.

how did you apply to the last 15 jobs? e-mailing resumes is common, but unpersonal. delivering a position/advertisement custom resume in-person is preferred. this gives you an opportunity to meet the recruiter or hiring manager and make a positive personal first impression. your dress should be appropriate for the position. no flip-flops, shorts, sweats, tight-fitting clothing or low cut tops and no short skirts. i tell my students to dress like a legal secretary (no, not the hot ones on tv :wink2:). black, grey, beige or navy blue clothing, minimum jewelry and makeup, low heels or flats, and hair pulled back if long. nails should be clear or natural. any piercings should be removed except one small stud in each ear. cover tattoos. hair should be of a natural color (not necessarily your natural color), meaning no purple or blue, etc.

how did you follow up? it's difficult to follow up in a personal manner if you are e-mailing, yet possible. call the recruiter or hiring manager three to four days after submittal of your resume to ask about the status of your application, then tell them that you want to meet with them at their earliest convenience to interview you further. the word 'want' implies that you have confidence that you can fulfill their needs. none of this "i would like to" or "i'm available to" stuff. you want to. you are decisive. if you caught them off-guard, they may schedule an interview without remembering your application, but you just proved you're a go-getter, and that's a quality that they are likely looking for.

did you submit a cover letter? always submit a cover letter. even with e-mail, there is usually a section to include a cover letter. a cover letter lets you express yourself. it's not a bad thing, but most people have difficulty writing about their positive attributes. find out the recruiter's or hiring manager's name and put it on the cover letter. address the cover letter to the person that you are directly applying to.

always do research on the company you are applying to and put a brief synopsis in your cover letter. for example "it is with great pleasure that i am seeking to secure a registered nursing position in the whatever department with whatever hospital. whatever hospital has been has been honored by many prestigious organizations as an exemplary healthcare provider and for innovations in healthcare. whatever hospital has received the highest community satisfaction rankings in the whatever region. i believe that my experience as a registered nurse with progressive responsibility and knowledge would benefit your patients, employees and company". once again, i'm sure you get the idea. you have to research, and then state, that you know that that the healthcare organization to which you are applying has achieved whatever standards in whatever they do. simply stated, it looks like you want to give your services to the best healthcare organization in the area! you researched it, and you know. then you have to really know, because it may come up in the interview. also, know their mission statement and if they are unionized or not.

that's all i have for now. i hope it helps. landing a job takes a lot of work and i believe you can do it once you take another look at the application procedures you may have been using. please keep in touch and let me know if i can be of any other assistance. some people may not agree with what i wrote but i prefer to have you proceed with caution and get a job that you can grow your career from.

[team RN]

vegas rn, mba first i would like to thank you for your very thorough response. i will implement all suggestion that apply. i hope that will make a difference. much of what you have suggested i have done. this is the response i get from hr in the end. an then i never get to an interview. this is one of many responses.. basically they all say the same thing.

" because you haven't been in any one place too long, it is going to be difficult to convince the manager of a unit that you are ready to settle in for any length of time. orientation is a costly prospect for any hospital and the most expensive part of the hiring process. you might try to get some experience for a while, i would suggest at least two years, then your resume will have more substance to it. good luck"

how would you get past that mindset?

if you would look over my resume that might make a difference. thank you for all your help.