How to Email A Nursing Recruiter via Cold Approach

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Hello AN folks,

I am a new nurse having a hard time getting that first job. So I am trying a different way to apply for jobs. Kinda tired of going through the computer system so I figure I will send my resume and stuff directly to a human person increasing my chance of get seen.

Now, I have no idea where to begin with the email? This will be a cold contact, I had never interacted with the recruiters before. Should I also list what job I am interested in...but I do not want to limit my chances of other opportunities if I mention a certain position. Do make it like a cover letter?

Any tips/advice would be great. It would definitely help to have an example to work with if you feel comfortable in sharing/posting here...if not please PM me.

Truly appreciate the help and guidance. Thank you AN folks

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I don't have specific tips aside from make certain this is acceptable in your area.

In my area you would be redirected to the online application system if not outright rejected for failing to follow company policy in applying for employment. There are reasons, such as reducing bias, that facilities require online applications only.

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WOW. sounds super serious. Let me give me details so maybe ppl can tell me if I am dealing with actual nursing recruiters. I do not want to ruin my chances before I even apply online to those hospitals.

I have a list of contacts from my Nursing Student Resource Advisor and those contacts deals with externships for hospitals. She said they may also work with new grad recruitment.

I just want to reach out to those contacts to see if they can help me or direct me to ppl that can help me. I want to increase my chance of my resume getting seen by actual ppl that does the hiring except getting trashed in the computer system....

:/ what to do?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

If you were given the list by your school simply say hi my name is _____ I was given your contact information from my nursing professor ____ in the hopes that you may help direct me to get my resume to the correct recruiter. I graduated with a BSN from _____ in May 2015 and received my nursing license shortly after. In school I successfully completed my senior preceptorship on the ____unit at _____. I have developed a strong interest in caring for ___ after completing the preceptorship. I am looking to apply and interview a new graduate nurse program or nurse residency training programs. I have attached my resume for reference and consideration. If you are not the correct contact person, thank you for taking the time to read it.

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Thank you so much @JustBeachyNurse. That will be a good start for me. :D

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How do yu even get their email addy in the first place?

How about dressing nicely and going over to the facility to "run into" the hiring manager and just happen to have your resume with you?

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How do yu even get their email addy in the first place?

How about dressing nicely and going over to the facility to "run into" the hiring manager and just happen to have your resume with you?

My nursing resource advisor shared the contacts with me.

I can give the bump into hiring manager a try. What do you suggest I should say to start a conversation and when to hand over my resume. Thank you for sharing tip

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
My nursing resource advisor shared the contacts with me.

I can give the bump into hiring manager a try. What do you suggest I should say to start a conversation and when to hand over my resume. Thank you for sharing tip

Know your market. The in person "bump" into a recruiting manager without applying online (if you could even get close enough as around here HR & recruiters are off site from the hospitals for a variety of reasons) would not be recommended as it would end up with your resume in the trash and a possible marking of do not hire for failure to follow company policy of online applications only. In less metropolitan areas in person applications are encouraged. In my area not so much especially with the necessary increased security. You wouldn't make it past the front desk without an appointment in my area. Two states over they'd maybe even let you go up to the nursing unit to cold call the manager

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Know your market. The in person "bump" into a recruiting manager without applying online (if you could even get close enough as around here HR & recruiters are off site from the hospitals for a variety of reasons) would not be recommended as it would end up with your resume in the trash and a possible marking of do not hire for failure to follow company policy of online applications only. In less metropolitan areas in person applications are encouraged. In my area not so much especially with the necessary increased security. You wouldn't make it past the front desk without an appointment in my area. Two states over they'd maybe even let you go up to the nursing unit to cold call the manager

Thank you for the warning. I rather play it safe than to attempt a bump. I do not want to be black listed since I do live in a big city. Thinking back on clinicals, there were plenty of security checks so you will be right about me not getting anywhere near a HR or recruiter ...Scary, I wonder if anyone ever experienced that first-hand?

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU, Trauma.

I am also a new grad. I put in easily 100 apps everywhere and didn't hear anything for 2 months. I called HR and nurse recruiters and that got me a great response, but all the big medical centers swallowed up BSN new grads and said they won't even entertain ADN. (You have a BSN, so maybe that will work for you) So I put on a suit and tie and went to the hospitals that I had apps at. I went to HR first and asked for the nurse recruiter and spoke with them, a fresh resume, cover letter, references, and copy of my certs and license in hand. Talked to them and said I applied online but wanted to follow up in person because this is a personable business. They appreciated it very much. After leaving their office I went straight to the department(s) I applied for and asked to speak with the director. I brought them a copy of the previously listed paperwork, and said I had applied online and spoke with HR, but I know how many apps they get and I didn't want to get lost within all of that, and I wanted to follow up in person, meet them, and see if there is anything further I could provide, all the while mentioning how great their facility was and how much working there means to me. Out of the 5 hospitals I went to, I had 2 interviews right then and there, and I have 3 more scheduled. So that got me an interview at EVERY stop I made. They were all VERY impressed that I would come in like that, how professional I handled it, how I brought them all the resume etc. I also had my complete portfolio in hand in case I ended up interviewing right there, which turned out to be a good idea. They said they never have new grads do that, and they were very appreciative of it. Now I take my interviews and see what turns into an offer. One of the ones I already interviewed, the ED Director said he would put me in the next new grad program, but that isn't until November, so that is on the back burner. Make a different resume and cover letter for each facility, and work the hospital's mission statement into your objective on your resume. Also put in that you are seeking a position as a Registered Nurse in the ____ department at ____ medical center/hospital. Work that last part into your cover letter as well. Always apply online first, because they will just direct you to there if you haven't already done that. But if you say I applied online, and wanted to come in person and bring you my resume and meet you, they may just like that and pull your app to get it in the right direction. Remember, a nurse recruiter is in charge of putting nurses in front of the department manager and director, the manager and director make the final decision on who they hire. Sometimes a couple managers weed through what the recruiter brings and the director makes the decision. So make the recruiter your friend, then go to the department director and do the same. You want to personally talk to everyone involved in the decision to make you a nurse. People always say they aren't brave enough to do this. It's all about confidence. Good luck!

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Curious for any updates with your RN job? I'm a new grad as well from May 2015 and finally passed my boards in late November. Looking for a new grad RN job in the saturated market of Chicago.

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU, Trauma.

I had an interview at a busy level 2 trauma center in the ER/Trauma Department. It was more of an orientation than an interview. They offered me the job on the spot. I left there and got a call literally as I stepped into my truck from another facility offering me a job. I took the trauma center job and have been working there for 4 months now. Follow what I listed above, it has helped a lot of people so far. I have gotten 4 of my close friends hired at their first interview. Good luck!

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