Consider Relocating
Geographic location can be a barrier to getting hired. The "nursing shortage" is regional. Some areas of the country and some hospitals are not hiring new grad RNs. It is very difficult to find a job in the San Francisco Bay area, for example. At the same time, some areas of the country are hiring and even recruiting new grads. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota is one example.
Strategy: Cast a wide net. Start by looking at neighboring states. Are you willing and able to re-locate? Do you have a friend or relative in one of these locations?
Generally, urban centers are not hiring new grads as much as rural locations.
Nurse Job Boards like the one here on site can help you search for jobs all over the country.
note: If you are interviewed and you currently live "away" keep in mind that hiring managers want to hire nurses who they believe will stay beyond their initial contract.
Customize Your Resume
The purpose of a resume is to land an interview.
If you are sending out multiple resumes and not landing any interviews, the culprit is most likely your resume.
Your resume should be customized to each individual employer.
Find out as much as you can about the hospital you want to work at. Are they faith-based? For-profit? What are their top service lines? Then tailor your resume to fit. For example, if they are Stroke Certified, you would emphasize that you have your NIHSS Stroke Certification.
Your resume is about what you can do for them and identifying the value you bring to an organization.
Strategic Use of Keywords
Resume keywords should mirror job description keywords. This helps with keyword scanning software.
If the job posting says they are looking for someone with leadership qualities, then use the keyword "leader" in your resume. For example, if you were a class officer or led any activities in school, you could say "I'm a natural leader. I was selected as our Class Event Leader and helped organized a community vaccination drive."
Use active verbs such as: achieved, created, managed, volunteered, resolved, implemented.
Avoid Cliches
Avoid cliches and over-used terms. Instead of "I'm a dedicated, detail-oriented, driven, dynamic, problem-solving, team-building, self-motivated person with a strong work-ethic" give examples of the strengths you want to highlight.
For example, instead of "I'm a people person", say "My energy comes from connecting with others."
Volunteer
Highlight any volunteer/community activity. This is seen as very positive, and shows desirable qualities to an employer. I have seen jobs come down to "she/he who had more points for volunteering".
Make no Mistakes
Your resume must be mistake-free. Errors may be viewed as an indicator of carelessness on the job. Your resume should be one page long and the layout should include plenty of lots of white space to avoid dense blocks of text. It should be visually pleasing with congruent use of headers and traditional fonts. Bullet points add emphasis and interest.
Follow the Application Process
Follow the prospective employer's application instructions to the letter. Sometimes candidates lose out because they don't follow instructions. If they specify that your resume should be submitted today, and your essay at a different time, follow their guidelines. Likewise, if they want your cover letter attached as a pdf, don't send as a .docx file.
Pay special attention to application deadlines as they can be a narrow window. In many cases, you can apply before you get your license, contingent on passing the NCLEX.
Compose a Cover Letter
The purpose of a cover letter is to interest them enough to read your resume. It's a great way to catch their attention and stand out.
Objectives of your cover letter are to:
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Introduce yourself and clearly define who you are
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Highlight your most notable qualifications, experiences, credentials, skills, and achievements
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Capture your reader's interest
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Motivate them to call and offer you an interview
Networking Nets Jobs
The number one way to get jobs is still through networking. You know more people than you realize, and the more people that know you are job seeking, the better.
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Contact your previous clinical instructors. Ask for their help. They have strong connections to acute care hospitals, and they have friends who are nurse managers
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Likewise, ask your preceptors to put in a word for you. Stay in touch with them.
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Contact classmates of yours who already have a job. Ask them to put in a word to the nursing manager. Ask them for their hiring tips
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Participate in online and social media nursing communities, groups, and forums. They provide support and information on job postings, and tips. Create a Linked.in profile if you don't already have one. to meet other nurses and recruiters
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Attend job fairs and conferences. You never know who you'll meet or what contacts you'll make. Have your resume in hand
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Go to community places like the gym regularly. Many nurses go right before or after their shift, go at that time and talk with them. Same applies for church, if you attend. Leads come from unexpected sources
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Join a local nursing organization
Creative strategies
Looking for a job is your job. Get up early Monday through Friday. Shower and dress in business casual. Set a goal for the number of resumes you will send out and how many contacts you will make each day.
Think of a new contact strategy every day.
When reading ads, look for "experience preferred" and not "experience required." Apply for everything that says "experience preferred." Even if it's not your ideal job, interviewing is an invaluable experience. Avoid travel agencies unless you have one to two years of experience.
If you find a job you are really interested in, find out the name of the nurse manager and e-mail her/him or walk-in. A cold-call can be risky, but can also be rewarding. Have your resume with you, shake hands and say "I would like to drop this off for your review." The nurse manager now has a visual image of you, which puts you ahead of other applicants.
Certifications Count
Many new grad RNs are amassing certifications to enhance their resumes. Be sure and keep your BLS up to date. As for ACLS, PALS, NRP, etc- when hired, your hospital will provide them anyway, but it shows initiative to obtain them.
In the Meantime
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Hone your interviewing skills so you'll be prepared and confident when you land an interview.
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Volunteer in anything community or health-related. And volunteering is also networking. You'd be surprised who knows who, or that John's daughter went to school with the nurse recruiter's favorite niece.
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Be patient. HR departments in hospitals are slow-moving compared to other industries.
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Keep your eye on the goal. You WILL get hired if you keep applying, networking, volunteering. All you need is one chance to get your foot in the door. Remember, new grad RNs are getting hired every day- you could be next!
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Don't underestimate the power of positivity and good energy. Keep your eye on the goal and be persistent. Look back at how far you've come since you started school. Good luck!
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