How to get a job as an RN in Portland, Oregon as a new grad

[Lulu16RN]

Hi, all!

I graduated from OHSU with my bachelors in nursing in June. I took the summer to enjoy myself and travel, and finally took NCLEX on 10/8/13. I passed at 75 questions, and have since been looking for jobs.

I did my senior practicum at on a pediatric medical acute care floor in a pediatric hospital at OHSU. I did well, have a good relationship with my preceptors and nurse manager, and have good recommendations from members of my school's faculty.

But Portland is a large city that can be picky and specific regarding who they hire. Jobs for new grads aren't that plentiful. Almost all the listings I have seen are for people with at least one year of experience. I have applied to the Versant residency program through the Legacy Hospital system, and I have a pre-screen interview December 17th. I have heard that they interview almost everyone who applies due to the fact that you have to just have a minimum GPA of above a 3.25, and write a coherent essay, so I'm not super confident on anything right now.

I'm not sure if this is an awful idea, but I'm being rather selective as to the type of job I want to have. I got into nursing because I am specifically interested in pediatric acute care, the NICU, and mother-baby/labor and delivery, and am considering grad school in several years to become a neonatal nurse practitioner or a midwife. Either way, due to my future goals for my career, I'd like to get onto a relevant floor as soon as possible, and not trudge along on med-surg (which I've been told to do by many), biding my time until I can get where I really want to go. I know many of you may say that I just need to get in where I can, but I'd really like to hear the best ways you've advocated for yourself in order to obtain jobs you truly want, and that you really love. I think I'd be at the top of my game if I'm in a setting that I feel passionate about, which is pediatrics, the NICU, and LD/MBU.

I understand I'm making it a little more difficult for myself, but I also don't see why I shouldn't go after what I truly want. I have a high GPA and I believe I will be able to articulate myself if face-to-face with an interviewer or hiring manager. However, GETTING face-to-face is a real issue. I have a friend whose mother is a nurse manager on a floor where I'm seeking employment, and she and I have been in contact. I was told by her that she is not hiring until the summer, but that she will keep my resume in the potential hire folder. This is a little promising, but I am being realistic. She says she really enjoys new hires, and the fact that I attended school where she works might be an added benefit. My friendship with her son, however, is likely not helpful, but perhaps maybe just a tiny bit. I suppose it is because I was able to talk to him about he best way to reach out to his mother via email, and I think that helped.

Additionally, I have 1.5 years of volunteer experience in our NICU, and am also a volunteer for the Children's Cancer Association, and previously volunteered in pediatric oncology during my time in college getting my psych degree. I believe I've shown a commitment to my education, and to helping others, and I'm hopeful that will be noticed by potential employers.

So, nurses who have been successful at getting your foot in the door - what did you do? Do I need to bang on doors, ask for interviews directly, have the most brilliant resume on the planet, or anything else? If anyone wants to critique my resume, I'd be happy to send it to someone. I've received good feedback on it from friends with Nursing Jobs, and have also written several cover letters that I think highlight my experiences and represent me positively.

I'd appreciate any and all feedback from those who have been successful in getting a job as a new grad, or those who are also looking.

Good luck to everyone who's still searching!