Hitting the Pavement HELP!!!

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2012

Welcome :) First of all, since you say you've just passed the NCLEX March 9th, technically, your search begins from this date. Many facilities won't hire an unlicensed nurse. Secondly, wear business attire, not scrubs to interviews. You want to project a professional image. Finally, while you can aim for certain areas, be willing to apply to LTC, med surg and whatever you can get. There are thousands of new grads in your situation. The goal is to start gaining experience as soon as possible.

dishes, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2012

Before you try walking in and dropping off your resume, find out what the human resource's policy is first, some workplaces have a policy to discard resumes that are not submitted through the proper channels. Also, claiming that you were inspired to become a nurse because as a pediatric patient, you experienced "a host of of bad nurses" communicates a message that your personal experience may interfere with your ability to work effectively as a team member.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Mar 24, 2012

Many facilites do not even have the HR department in the same building and thus require ALL applications to be submitted electronically through proper channels. While some facilities will appreciate initiative, others will outright reject your application for failing to follow proper procedure. Never show up in scrubs, always show up in professional attire. But don't be surprised if you show up at a facility and are turned away as they do not accept in person applications.

That said, in the current economy you cannot be choosy. Most specialized positions like pediatric hem-onc require background experience at least in general pediatrics You might want to consider being less narrow in your job search in order to secure work as a nurse. It's better to work as a med surg nurse looking for a specialty position than be hyperfocused on finding ONLY a pedi ER or pedi hem onc nurse position while working at Walmart. Oh and I wouldn't mention that your inspiration comes from "bad" nurses nor that you have sickle cell anemia.

inchRistIcaN · Mar 25, 2012

Thanks! I am going to wear business attire when I get an interview. I had just read on allnurses, that people who went to the actual hospital to talk to DONs and NMs wore scrubs, and a lot of them got jobs that way. I've never heard of doing that until I read it on here a lot. Im looking for a job. I am willing to do ER and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology so I have been applying at all the ERs and Childrens hospitals everywhere. I Know I will get a job where I want as long as I keep depending on God! Thanks a lot for commenting! :)

inchRistIcaN · Mar 25, 2012

Dishes, thanks for replying! and LOL!!!! OH NO!!!! I would never ever tell HR that I wanted to become a Nurse because of my many bad nurses who were really really bad at times! I would just think it. lol The only way I would say something along the line, is if I were asked what inspired me to be a nurse in a interview. I would definately tell the truth and say I had many many great nurses in my 18 years but I also had bad nurses who would curse at me, grab me roughly, would state that they hated nursing in my room, and even force pills down my throat. And I feel that no patient being as helpless and vulnerable as they are and might feel should be subject to treatment like that, regardless if they are in for something minor or major.

I am going to call the hospitals and see what their policy is now too!! THANKS! :)

inchRistIcaN · Mar 25, 2012

Many facilites do not even have the HR department in the same building and thus require ALL applications to be submitted electronically through proper channels. While some facilities will appreciate initiative, others will outright reject your application for failing to follow proper procedure. Never show up in scrubs, always show up in professional attire. But don't be surprised if you show up at a facility and are turned away as they do not accept in person applications.
That said, in the current economy you cannot be choosy. Most specialized positions like pediatric hem-onc require background experience at least in general pediatrics You might want to consider being less narrow in your job search in order to secure work as a nurse. It's better to work as a med surg nurse looking for a specialty position than be hyperfocused on finding ONLY a pedi ER or pedi hem onc nurse position while working at Walmart. Oh and I wouldn't mention that your inspiration comes from "bad" nurses nor that you have sickle cell anemia.

I agree with the HR departments not being in the hospital. Like Parkland here in Dallas. I was just going to go to my top three hospitals to speak with NMs, with scrubs on, resume in hand as many of people on here have been advising people to do. I didn't know if it was a good idea, but they all claimed to have gotten jobs at their dream hospital by doing that. So I was willing to try so I could get the internship spot I applied for.

I understand I that beggars can't be choosy. But I am not begging or desperate for a job. As I have thing already lined up to do before I go to work and I also am financially okay until I find a job. I know that some people have families and such they have to provide for so they have to go to work immediately, and that I am one of the lucky few that don't have to. I also live fully for Christ and know that He's my provider and will sustain me in whatever: "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me" or "the will of God will never carry me where the grace of God won't protect me" :) So when it happens, it happens. BUt I agree about the Walmart part and will apply for any position, even nursery, before I go to Walmart (if I had to).

I also only tell about Sickle Cell Anemia if it's a ped Hemoc position because I have been told by a couple of HR departments, that that is what made me stand out, and that it looked good and was relevant. Eventhough, when they see me, they know I either have Hepititis or Sickle Cell Anemia, because I am so jaundiced. I am usually asked by nurses before I even have a chance to say something.

Thanks for your advice, it helps a lot. Especially the don't be surprised if you get turned away! :)