I've hit a brick wall - the BEST way to land a new job?

Hi all,

I had a few questions about the hiring process. So far I've submitted something like 25ish applications to various units (medsurg, ICU, ED, and Tele) and haven't heard anything back. All I've done was apply to their career websites and that was it. That was how I got my first two jobs (Eating disorder treatment facility and SNF) and I didn't have any problems. But now that I'm applying for acute all I've been getting is radio silence. This would be my first acute experience, as I've said I've worked 4 months in ED outpatient treatment and 1 year in a SNF. I've been a nurse for a little more than a year.

I have heard before that the WORST way to find a job is to just apply to their careers webpage and just sit there and twiddle your thumbs. Is this correct?

Is there someone somewhere who would look at my resume and CV? Do people ACTUALLY go in to HR and ask to see a nurse recruiter? Do people even actually do "informational interviews"? Do you call the unit you're interested in a few days after applying and just mention you're interested in a job there? Do you make a LinkedIn and randomly add nurse recruiters at the hospital your interested at and send them a message? It all sounds so... fake and desperate?? Gah I don't know!

Whats the most successful way to land a job with no real networking opportunities? I have moved to a new area and unfortunately don't know any nurse managers etc.

Thank you so much for your advice.