How to find a GN position in OB in Orlando, FL?

[Jasmin_sunset]

Hi everyone,

I am having a hard time finding my first RN job and I want to ask you for advice. I became an RN last September 2013. My strengths to find my first RN job are: I have an Associate in Arts, an Associate's in Nursing, a 3.4 GPA, an RN license, and a current BLS certification. I am soon to start the BSN program at UCF; I have 4+ years of working in customer service, and I also speak Spanish. However, even though I have so many strengths I also have the greatest disadvantage of all: I have no experience working in health care (besides completing my practicum in Mother Baby).

I really want to find a job in the OB area but it is very hard to see those positions posted in the internet, and the worst part is that when I finally find one posted, I come across "1+ years of experience required". I have tried to give my resume in person to the human resources department in a couple of hospitals. In one they accepted it but never called me, and in the other hospital, they didn't even let me hand it in. They told me to apply online. So, it is almost impossible! How can I apply if they never announce those positions?, how can I get the experience when they are not willing to train a GN?

In addition, the manager where I did my practicum gave me her business card and told me to "come and see her"after I was licensed because in her hospital they "like to hire students who have completed their practicum at the facility". Unfortunately, I sent this manager a couple of emails (one with my resume & cover letter) and I also left her a voicemail with my phone number. I never received her phone call. I have thought that it might be because she has a lot of emails to process and that maybe she never even came across either one of my messages... Because of that, I have thought about going to see her in person, but hospitals are not like retail stores, where they just let you go upstairs to pay a visit to the manager.

I also applied to the FL Hospital GN program, in different areas (Med Tele, Med Surge, Cardiac PCU, OR, etc), since they didn't posted any OB positions, without any luck. I even included that I was available nights, and weekends. I haven't gotten past the human resources screening... I have not even had one interview so far.

What can I do to meet someone? It seems that you really need to know someone in order to get a job in the Orlando area.... and not to sound desperate, but I have even applied to LPN, and advance tech positions without any luck because I am overqualified for those positions too lol. I have also looked for positions in Tampa but it seems it is as hard as finding a job in Orlando.

I appreciate any advice... I really need to find a job (preferably in OB) or anywhere where I can get useful experience, but not having any contacts in health care is really taking a toll on my chances of finding my first RN job. Thanks!

[iPink, BSN, RN]

It's tough but hang in there. I had applied last year to FH's GN program and passed the HR screening and never received a phone call from any managers for an interview. It wasn't until someone who worked at one of their campuses as a tech got me an interview with her nurse manager. Overall, I didn't get the job and never received another call back for any other open positions. A few people I know who are in FH's GN program got in because they graduated from their school. Priority is given to their own students. All of them flunked their first interview with FH but still got called back to interview for different units.

Your best bet with getting into your "dream" unit is to apply to other areas at different hospitals. Once you're in that hospital's system, make it on your unit for a year and be in good standing, you'll most likely be among first picks over other candidates who aren't in the system to get in that specialty unit.

FH is in the process of building their women's hospital and my friend already told me priority is being given to their own nurses who are already in their system.

[Jasmin_sunset]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience and advice with me. I will take your tips into account and I will try different positions. Hopefully soon, I can write again with good news about my job search. I really appreciate you taking your time to answer my posting. I wish you the best in your nursing career.