I got an acute care RN job!

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I am a new grad ADN and after a few months of searching I got a job on a med-surg floor at a good smaller hospital in the area I live, and the area I live is pretty notorious for being hard to find RN jobs (especially ADNs). I was very discouraged the first few months as I didn't hear boo back from anyone unless it was a "stop calling we don't have positions for you" call. The other unique thing is that I had absolutely no connections to this hospital or job. The jobs I did have connections to I eventually got interviewed for but wasn't selected. I was just persistent about following up, and being a smaller hospital I could actually talk to an HR rep by phone by calling.

I just wanted to put this on here and hopefully encourage some of you. You might be where I was a month ago feeling like you might have to move somewhere crazy to find a job...just keep trying! Pick a few you can focus on and be persistent! I also learned how not to answer questions at my unsuccessful interviews, so try to learn and not be too disappointed...keep at it, you'll find your job eventually!

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:ancong!::anpom::anpom:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Congratulations! Best of luck on your new job.

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Congrats!

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Sorry for the second message, but any chance are you a male nurse?

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I am...how did you know to ask?

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I am a guy, who is about to graduate from ADN in December. I have had friends graduate in May whom are girls, and they cannot get a job. Iv been thinking since I am a guy, Hospitals will be more likely to hire me around brooklyn or manhattan. To keep male female ratios to a certain balance they want. I have heard of a handful of guys getting jobs recently but no girls are getting any offers. So thats why I ask. =)

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Male nurses are having an easier time finding jobs.

Congrats!

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Well I do want to say thank you stoberto, since you have now documented (lol) and are living proof that an ADN can get a job in this strange job market. You give me hope. But for many unfortunately, smart, hardworking women, they should hang in there until it turns around.

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I know several women from my class that have gotten jobs...some have to commute an hour but they have a job (and some in glamorous areas like CVICU). I haven't found sex to be a great advantage...maybe in the actual interview...but once you get the interview you're almost there in my opinion, so it's getting the interview that matters.

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Want to share about your interview questions and what are successful and not?

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Lots of behavioral questions...tell me about a time when:

you had conflict with someone on the job.

you made a decision that made a neg impact.

you went above and beyond.

What would you do if:

the nurse before you left something a mess.

you had to deal with a really difficult family member.

The usual like strengths, weaknesses, goals, etc.

I think I learned that more than anything they just want you to talk. I tend to be very analytic so I think I err on the side of short answers that exactly answered what you exactly asked me, but really they just want you to take the question and talk about it from all different angles. I also think it helps to try and make opportunities for your personality to come through.

Interestingly enough I was rejected for the first 2 jobs I interviewed for, and accepted for the last 2. Also, I came home from the last one and told my wife that it was the best interview I had because I "told some good jokes and didn't say anything I shouldn't have." That job offer was like lightning compared to the other one (the next morning early). I took the first job offer though.

The interview process kind of peeved me. I don't like that peers weigh the heaviest on the decision basically on whether they think you're fun to work with or not, and there was one interview where I barely was even asked any questions. In my perfect world I would have an interview with a few supervisors and they would spend a good amount of time grilling me and doing background checks, and then pick an employee based on merit...but the process is what it is so I think you just have to see it for that and make your interview style fit.

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