Looking for advice, especially from those that do any hiring.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I am applying for a STAR internship position at my hospital. This internship is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door at the hospital from what I was told by HR, they contract between 3 local nursing schools to hire 25 total students per semester between them. I was told that those that get this intern spot and do well are always part of the 25 hired. So the internship is 20 spots between I was told about 100 students. I was also told that previous experience is a huge plus in getting one of these spots.

This seems like a really great opportunity all the way around, one I had no previous experience prior to nursing school. I wasn't in a position that I was able to work in the field during the time I was doing pre reqs and I hadn't planned on being a nurse prior. So it will be a great opportunity for me to gain experience and although it's a paid position I would apply for it even if it wasn't just for that reason alone. It will also help to get my foot in the door at a wonderful hospital and possibly secure a job when I am done with school.

I have 3 really good letters of recommendation, one from my Clinical Instructor, one from my Pharm instructor and one from my head fundamnetals and lab instructor and they said a lot of what I said in the "tell me about yourself position."

So anyway, I was thinking about attaching a letter (more then the 2-3 line spot they give you to list skills that will make you a better canidate) as to why they should pick me even though I don't have previous experience. Sort of like plead my case but in a non whiny way.

Is this a good idea?? Is their anything else I can do that could help me stand out. The application is due Friday so I was going to work on this tomorrow but I would really appreciate any ideas. I have worked before in childcare and customer service jobs, I have worked since I was 15 but stopped working when I had my second child. I worked all through out my last pregnancy even though I was supposed to be on bed rest only because it was a desk job and easy work and my 3 boys were all in school, I didn't want to just sit home all day doing nothing.

So anyway I have work experience just not medical related, but I am not good at talking about myself when it comes to pros and not good at doing resumes and stuff.

Any advice to help increase my chances would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

Sorry for any typos, I am very tired, had a Final first thing this morning and about to go to bed.

[CNA2day]

I would attach the letter if you can write it well!

The worst they can do is not look at it.

I would go form the angle of what you will bring to the company. Dont just say I am a hard worker... say what makes you a hard worker!

Go for it!

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Thank You, I am not the best writer but I have many friends that can proof it for me that are good. I just wasn't sure if doing something like that would have a negative effect or not.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

bring out the postive points, that you have worked in customer service for X amount of years. The way healthcare is going these days, having customer serivce experince is a plus.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I would totally do it. Maybe that is what you need to stand out!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

keep it short though

[CNA2day]

I say do it because I just got done fighting with the hospital I work for to get my Insurance benifits they tried to screw me out of. I went back and fourth on sending this letter to the VP of the company. I finally did, decideing the worst he could do was ignore it. I got the insurance benifits I was trying to get and it was only because the letter went to the VP and he agreed with me!

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Thank you for the input. I will write the letter tonight and hope my application stands out a little more!