job hunting

imanedrn · May 6, 2008

Hello Everybody. I just passed my NCLEX-RN. Have no hospital experience and I'm so adamant to apply online because most of the positons that are available require a 1 year or 2 years experience, etc, etc....I know I am prepared to learn and cannnot wait to put my skills in any field I'll be in and passing the nclex is a proof that I am a competent nurse and I am.....My biggest concern is how to get an interview despite of my experience?
This is my biggest concern. Any advice from the experts please. Thanks.

Call the hospitals directly and ask if they have a new grad program. Many do but just don't post the listing online because their application process is different from that of an experienced nurse.

Thankful RN,BSN · May 6, 2008

Emphasize on the skills you learned during your schools clinicals. Congrats on passing NCLEX!!! :yeah:

Trophywife81 · May 6, 2008

Congrats on earning your license!

You say that you are "adamant" to apply online....are you sure you don't mean anxious? Adamant means "insistent". I don't mean to sound petty about the wording of your post, but do be careful about using correct wording, because potential employers will notice and could count it as a strike against you if they don't think you communicate well.

What about applying at the hospital at which you did clinicals? I too am a new grad, and when I began looking for jobs, I contacted the nurse manager on one of the floors I had done a rotation on, and he hired me on the spot and got me through the HR process in a fraction of the time it would have taken HR to do it on their own.

Also, I wouldn't be too scared to go ahead and apply for the job, even if it states that 1-2 years experience is required. It can't hurt, and at least it will put your name in the pool with human resources. However, I have generally found the HR departments at hospitals to be slow and inconsistent in following up, so if you know the names of any of the nurse managers at the hospital you are considering, I highly encourage you to take the initiative and communicate first with them.

Good luck!!

aeauooo · May 6, 2008

Move to New Orleans.

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · May 6, 2008

first of all, :yeah:for passing the boards!

i'd advise you to contact the hospitals about new grad positions now! this is a hot time of the year for new grads to be applying, since a lot of people are finishing up this month and next.

wish you the best!

jess

mah2008 · May 6, 2008

hello ranaazha..thanks for the encouragement.

mah2008 · May 6, 2008

Love your response.....I like New Orleans very much...I visit that place every year with my husband.

hpcat · May 6, 2008

Forget the websites - they'll give you a complex! I often go online looking for positions at local hospitals (just for kicks, I'm still in school), but they don't seem to be current or accurate. My SIL says they're screaming for this or that type nurse at her hospital and others, sometimes even hiring new grads - they actually hired like 4 new grads for day shift maternity when the department expanded - a VERY prime position where she is - but you'd never know it from the websites. I want to go into psych nursing, the state website doesn't indicate any extraordinary need, but a local professional mag is carrying a huge ad that they need psych nurses and will take new grads.

Try calling instead.

mah2008 · May 6, 2008

Hello Trophywife81. Thanks for the correction...i didn't mean anxious..i meant adamant....i mistyped the word "not". Thank you for your comment and encouragement at the same time. I appreciate it.

mah2008 · May 6, 2008

Thanks hpcat.....and goodluck to you too.

aeauooo · May 6, 2008

Love your response.....I like New Orleans very much...I visit that place every year with my husband.

I'm not a native, but I love New Orleans!

You probably wouldn't have any trouble finding a job here.