How did you get your LTC job?

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Unlike hospitals with postings, how were you able to find out if there was an available position in your area? Did you just get the fax number and fax away? Did you call to inquire? please share your method. LTC is by far my first choice, but i have to get in where I can fit in at this point.

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I called different facilities and asked if they were hiring. If they said yes, I went in (dressed professionally) and filled out an application. For some facilities, I was interviewed on the spot. For others, I was called days after. I was actually offered a position at 3/5 facilities I went to. There seems to be a big demand for nurses in LTCs in my area.

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I just called local facilities and asked if they were hiring....

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

My current facility I knew the DON and I saw her while out shopping and it happened to come up in conversation that I may be looking for a change. She told me to come in to the facility the next day and fill out an app. and I had a new job. However, in the past when I did not know anyone in the facility I would get dressed in dress pants and a nice shirt and ask the person at the front desk if they were taking applications. If they were I would fill it out there and turn it in. Sometimes I would be interviewed on the spot so always dress for an interview. If there was no interview I would wait for a call and check in with the facility at least once a week. Good luck!

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In my initial post I meant to say "LTC is by far NOT my first choice...."

Thank you for the replies. The past few days I've called many facilities asking for their fax number, without asking if they are hiring. I don't know if that is the right approach, all I know is I want them to have my resume 'just in case'. I will begin to go in person from now on, it sure won't hurt. Maybe I'll snag an interview on the spot, as some of you have.

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I wouldn't rely on calling and asking if they are hiring. Reception only knows about currently open positions not the ones that will be open if the DoN ever gets an application pool to chose from.

I'd show up, dressed to interview and ask to fill out an application.

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Specializes in Long term care-geriatrics.

As a DON in the past, I really didn't look at faxed resume. I did talk with nurses if they came to facility if I wasn't real busy. Just go to the facilities. You might want to check in to home health.

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

By a month before graduation I knew the job market was a mess and I was in trouble. I read every piece of advice I could get on finding a job as a new grad here (although much of it wasn't helpful.) Finally I put on my suit and heels and set out in the January snow and slush. I went to every nursing facility in driving distance and asked if they were hiring RNs. Every single one said yes and asked me to fill out an application. I filled out the app in person, and left a professional resume and cover letter in a nice slick black folder. I got no interviews on the spot, and got no call backs right away. In early March I got 2 calls and 1 job. I told the second call no thanks, as a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush and I was starting the next day. A few months after I started someone asked me when I had applied and I explained. They told me that census at that time was about 1/4 of what it is now and they were not hiring at all. None of the places I went to had listings for jobs anywhere, but it seemed like they'd rather say yes and keep your resume on file just in case. I wouldn't bother faxing. Going in dressed for an interview and filling out applications says you are serious and professional. It's a little more risk than just faxing a random resume, but well worth a try!

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I realized when I did go in person I made a few mistakes..one being "Hi do you have any positions available for new nurses". It seems as if no one wants to hear the word "new nurse", sounds like a disease these days..*sigh*

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

Yeah, I made a lot of mistakes too. It took me a while to answer the dead end "do you have any experience" sort of questions. The first time I just said "Uh, no" and the woman said "Oh" and told me to leave a resume. But each time I learned something and maybe it made me more polished in the end. :D I wish you the best of luck. The worst time of my life was nursing school and the months after when I was finding all that misery and heartache might be for nothing. But I LOVE my job.

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Yeah, I made a lot of mistakes too. It took me a while to answer the dead end "do you have any experience" sort of questions. The first time I just said "Uh, no" and the woman said "Oh" and told me to leave a resume. But each time I learned something and maybe it made me more polished in the end. :D I wish you the best of luck. The worst time of my life was nursing school and the months after when I was finding all that misery and heartache might be for nothing. But I LOVE my job.

Do you mind sharing what you learned? Which mistakes were corrected?

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Specializes in M/S, ICU, ICP.
in my initial post i meant to say "ltc is by far not my first choice...."

thank you for the replies. the past few days i've called many facilities asking for their fax number, without asking if they are hiring. i don't know if that is the right approach, all i know is i want them to have my resume 'just in case'. i will begin to go in person from now on, it sure won't hurt. maybe i'll snag an interview on the spot, as some of you have.

i understand the benefits of faxing and using online services for seeking employment as society has advanced into the computer age. however nothing can convey your sincerity and desire like your actual physical presense. a fax is easy to toss aside or stick "in file 13". you standing in human resources resume in hand and asking for an application shows you are interested enough to come in and be ready to interview.

i noticed in the past i rarely received much enthusiam from phone calls to enquire about a position. when i actually went to the places i wanted to work and applied it was different. by being physically present it allowed me to either have an interview the same day or an appointment for one over 75% of the time. the people taking the application can then put a face with the application and will often convey to the director how you presented yourself and may be a good fit with the facilities goals.

good luck.

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