How to get dream job at my senior practicum site?

[stacylethani, BSN]

Hi all,

I'm a senior nursing student currently in my senior practicum at the Children's hospital where I go to school. I am currently on a med-surg floor and I had my pediatric clinical at this hospital on the oncology floor.

I love pediatric nursing and I truly see myself in this specialty throughout my entire career!

Today, I was talking to a nurse recruiter about the RN residency program at this hospital and she said that there's only four cohorts accepted during the year and that the last cohort took 25 people and that the upcoming one is taking 40. That's such a small amount of people!! I am so freaked out!!

So, what I am asking is:

1) what can I do to make my resume/cover letters really stand out to this hospital? I have a CNA job currently on a postpartum floor (so I have experience with newborns), I had my peds clinical and practicum at this hospital, I have experience working with children with disabilities and with babysitting.

I also am getting three letters of recommendation, one of them from my peds clinical instructor who works at this hospital currently.

I also have 6 references for my application, 3 of which work at this hospital currently as well.

Is that above and beyond enough?

2) what can I do during my practicum that will really make me stand out and shine above other students? What will show them that I am a great team player, am compassionate, and willing to work hard to take care of my patients the best I can?

Thank you! Any advice is much appreciated :)