Houston doesn't like me!!!

I got my job at Hermann by being persistent. I called HR, talked to a recruiter, and got an interview right away. I do have experience, but I'm sure if you called and spoke to someone to follow up on an application you'd have better luck. Applying online without follow-up just gets you put into a pile of other hopefuls. Call and talk to someone and you start to stand out.

Internships are also a lot harder to get. On my unit (women's health) we may hire 3 interns every 6 months. Honestly, they didn't get much extra training than the rest of us.

What kind of nursing are you interested in?

........

Is this a sign that Houston's getting over saturated?

Little Greek-

Any tips for getting in with HR? I have called and left MANY messages at Hermann because I couldn't get a person and, of course, no one returns my phone calls.

When you call are you talking to the receptionist? If so, ask for a specific recruiter (i.e. Can I speak to the recruiter in charge of med-surg?) When you do, be sure to ask them for a name and direct phone number too. Even better is to try and get an email address. I applied online, then emailed the recruiter for my area to follow up and ask for an interview. I got a call right away.

Honestly, it might be because you are new grads but I can't be certain about that. Are you flexible about where you want to work? If not, it may make it more difficult to find a position.

First of all, CONGRATS on passing NCLEX!!!

I graduated may 07 and began applying for positions during that last semester. All I can say is be EXTREMELY persistent. If you did any rotations in the med center hospitals, use it to your advantage and contact the unit managers/nurses you worked with and ask them to give a good word for you. If you're applying for a totally unfamiliar unit, try calling the unit directly and ask for the manager or clinical educator and have a list of questions ready (don't call during shift change). Start off with "I'm interested in applying for a staff nurse position on your unit and would like to know..." Ask about shadowing for a couple hours. Doing this gives you an "in" with the manager/educator and lets them put a "face to a name". It sets you apart from the rest of the general applicants and you can then tell the recruiter that you spoke with "so and so" from whatever unit regarding a position and need to know what to do to expedite the application process. Stay in touch with both recruiter and the unit managers that you speak to. Alot of times, the unit managers will speed up the process if they want to hire you. Remember, you are one of hundreds of applicants. Anything you can do to set yourself apart from the rest will increase your chances, start with the units.

Good luck and I hope you get the job you want!

Is this a sign that Houston's getting over saturated?

I would say- just based on what I've seen- is that Houston may be oversaturated with NEW grads. If you look at the websites the hospitals have plenty of open positions for nurses with 2+ years of experience. So...I guess if I can find a job NOW in two years I will be a very competitive applicant

I heard that Houston may have gotten somewhat oversaturated in the months that followed Hurricane Katrina. Many of the displaced hurricane victims were new and experienced healthcare workers (especially nurses), and the vast majority ended up in the Houston metro area.

I live and work way north of you all, in the DFW area. Many of the nurses with whom I've worked are displaced hurricane victims from Louisiana.

I heard about that too. That could be a possible factor for oversaturation, but not saying that it entirely is. I wouldn't be too surprised if many of them are attending our schools/programs here in this state.

Try to get names/emails/numbers of the managers of the unit you want... and call the recruiters! I had one guy from Hermann in the med center call me a ton of times before I finally answered (always called when I was in school..) but couldn't accept because I was moving. I had Woman's call me 2 months after I applied offering an interview. Have you tried St. Joseph?

When I graduated in Dec 07, I posted my resume on careerbuilder.com, I have agencies on a regular bases willing to hire me with little to no experience. But I decided to just work for a hospital and go thought an internship.

try st. Joseph. LBJ, Ben taub, st. luke, mda, mh-southwest

-also if u can't get a job in the medical center just go to a random hospital get some experience and then apply in the MC

Twilight- have you looked at HCHD???