I really want this job- what should I do next?

[denicola.c]

So I found a GREAT hospital with a nurse residency program for ED nursing- I'm drooling! On top of that the hospital matches all of my values (religion-wise) and is a reasonable distance. I've always dreamed of being an ED nurse but totally shoved it out of my head because just about everywhere wants experience in that department. But, I found a hospital that will take in new grads with NO experience and you can do a residency in the ER and then most likely a job offer.

My critical care experience pretty much ends at clinicals. I had a job as home health aid, not too exciting. I went ahead and applied online and also attached a cover letter. I wrote about how I was given the opportunity to work in the ED at one of my rotations and I highlighted some characteristics I have that would make a great ED nurse.

Now my next question is how to follow up, and what should be my next steps? Assuming I don't hear from them otherwise, should I call HR and ask specifically to speak to a manager who does new grad hiring? I'm at a loss for what to say. I just got my license and just started applying- I'm in a very difficult area to find a job and am bracing myself to not be in work until possibly 2016. This feels like the opportunity of a lifetime and I want to stand out and at least have a chance! I just don't know what to say or do. Any advice would be great!

[mirandaaa]

Now my next question is how to follow up, and what should be my next steps? Assuming I don't hear from them otherwise, should I call HR and ask specifically to speak to a manager who does new grad hiring?

I wouldn't ask to speak to a manager who does new grad hiring because I don't think there's someone specifically for that.

At the hospitals here, each unit has their own hiring managers. Generally these hiring managers will choose the best candidates and will have HR contact them for interviews and then the candidate will interview with the hiring manager on that unit. If the candidate is chosen, HR will contact them and tell them the position is being offered.

What I suggest is to check on their application policies. Some places WILL NOT accept any follow-up calls or inquiries and insist that they will contact the applicant when a decision has been made. It may have more of a negative impact if this is a policy they have and you try following up because it may look like you can't follow instructions.

Also, if you applied online through a type of portal, sometimes you can check on the status of your application in the portal.

Hospitals generally have a pretty lengthy hiring process so I don't suggest doing any following up for a while. I usually like to leave things be until I have an interview (and then I'll wait about a week after the interview to check back and see how things are going).

Good luck!

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

I wouldn't ask to speak to a manager who does new grad hiring because I don't think there's someone specifically for that.

At the hospitals here, each unit has their own hiring managers. Generally these hiring managers will choose the best candidates and will have HR contact them for interviews and then the candidate will interview with the hiring manager on that unit. If the candidate is chosen, HR will contact them and tell them the position is being offered.

What I suggest is to check on their application policies. Some places WILL NOT accept any follow-up calls or inquiries and insist that they will contact the applicant when a decision has been made. It may have more of a negative impact if this is a policy they have and you try following up because it may look like you can't follow instructions.

Also, if you applied online through a type of portal, sometimes you can check on the status of your application in the portal.

Hospitals generally have a pretty lengthy hiring process so I don't suggest doing any following up for a while. I usually like to leave things be until I have an interview (and then I'll wait about a week after the interview to check back and see how things are going).

Good luck!

I tend to agree. If the program is as awesome as you say, they probably have a bunch of people contacting them doing the same thing, and they might get really ticked off--could actually work against you.

The only other thing I'd suggest is to try to find a creative way to network. Not sure if any of this is possible given you position, but here are a few things that have worked for me:

1) I interviewed a nurse manager on a unit I was interested in as part of an assignment for my nursing leadership course (probably won't work since you've graduated, but perhaps you could spin this somehow...)

2) Attend a local chapter meeting of an ED professional nursing organization; you might meet someone from that unit. Be professional, demonstrate a genuine interest, and ask good questions! Bring your resume.

3) If available, attend any 'Nursing Grand Rounds' or other events at the hospital related to ED; you're likely to meet people from that unit. My hospital recently had an ED Grand Rounds event called "Snakes!" all about the emergent treatment of snakebites; tons of ED folks mulling around. Same advice as point 2: network, and make a great first impression.

Also, I know it doesn't feel like it, but it seriously won't be the end of the world if you don't get this job right out of school. If this unit trains their new grads well, they probably have a great orientation for experienced non-ED nurses, too! Best of luck!!