How many hospitals did you apply to?

Sillynicunurse · Jan 6, 2009

While I live in an area that has numerous hospitals I only applied to two. I placed 3 applications for different areas in one hospital and applied for one position at the second hospital. IMHO applying at 8 different hospitals may be a little much plus it is a lot to ask instructors and actually expect them to give you letters of reference for. Do your research and figure out which facility would be a good fit for you. Set up shadowing experiences prior to interviewing. I eliminated one hospital in my area by doing this. This hospital was a very large Magnet teaching hospital. I spent an 8 hour day on the division that I was interested in applying for and decided it was not the place for me. Congratulations on your graduation and best of luck in your job search.

Sterren, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2009

one. I applied for several different positions (all at the same hospital) and was offered all of them. I'd cut down your list a little, if possible. Find out which hospitals hire new grads (not all of them do) and to which floors, where there is availability on the units you're interested in, what their pay looks like, what benefits they offer, etc. I wouldn't apply to more than 3 or 4 hospitals, honestly. If you get offered even half of those jobs you'll have a tough time choosing.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2009

I am going to graduate in May, and I am starting to fill out applications.
I asked for a reference from one of my instructors and she requested a list of the places I think I'll be applying. Right now that's 8 hospitals. I don't want her to think I am going overboard. Is this relatively common for new grads?
I live in a major metro area in an inner suburb, so there are many hospitals near me.

I graduate in May as well.

I'm applying to 4 hospital systems, with a total of 6 hospitals between them. I actually work for one and have for four years, however, they have not yet guaranteed they will be creating an internship program by this Spring.

This means, even though I have nearly guaranteed employment at my current facility I'm keeping my options open.

NursingGeek · Jan 6, 2009

Thanks for all the info.

I originally did start off small, but I talked to a couple of nurse recruiters who acted like it would be significantly harder for me to get work at their hospitals because I was graduating with an ADN instead of a BSN. That's what originally caused me to expand my list so much.

I definitely plan on touring a few of the places I am less "set" on at this point. I have filed apps with nearly all of them (oh and it's 7, not 8, which is slightly less insane!). That's a really good idea, thanks.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Jan 7, 2009

I applied to at least 15 hospitals, in 5 different states. I interviewed at 6.

icu_nurse247 · Jan 7, 2009

I applied to 8 hospitals...I am surrounded by alot of hospitals and nursing schools. With that, there is competition..It's good to get yourself out there.

Choose hospitals with a good training program in your specialty area. Good nursing retention. Good benefits. and a somewhat good starting pay (haha gotta start somewhere right?!)

Good luck to you and congratulations on graduating!

chicookie, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

I only applied to one, because I REFUSE to work at the other hospitals. I worked at this one for two years already and I love this hospital.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

That is not going overboard. She will only send out the same letter to each place anyway, so it's not extra work for her.

I may have applied to 4 or 5, but I only interviewed at one place. (I canceled other interviews because I was offered a position at my first choice.)

Best of luck to you!!

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

one and got the job

WalkieTalkie, RN · Jan 11, 2009

I applied for 5 different positions (at 4 different hospitals). I got job offers from 3 out of 5 of the interviews. I'm glad I didn't get hired in the first ICU I applied in because I like the one I work in now much better!