Making contact with PCD

[Cilantrophobe]

I am in my final semester of nursing school and will be graduating this May. I am currently doing a clinical preceptorship on a same day surgery unit, and did IMCU the first half of the semester. I really enjoyed my clinical experience on the IMCU and for the first time felt like I REALLY found what I loved. I introduced myself to the PCD and spoke with her very briefly, letting her know that I applied for a current job opening on the unit. She informed me at the time (2 months ago) that they weren't hiring that far in advance and that I should reapply after I passed the NCLEX, and she gave me her card. The hospital I want to work for changed their policy in the past couple of years and now doesn't hire nurses until after they have passed the NLCEX. HOWEVER, a girl I go to school with found out last month that she got hired at that hospital. I'm getting a little off track though, I really don't have a problem with the getting hired before or after passing the NCLEX thing. My only concern is that if I heed her advice and wait to apply, there won't be any positions available and that, what she told me is the cookie cutter answer she gives every nursing student who comes by her office to kiss up.

I found out today that I am the recipient of a scholarship from the hospital! I will sign an agreement to start work there within 4 months of graduation, as well as work there for 2 years. I was told by a person from HR during a job fair that they give preference to the "scholars". There are currently 3 openings on the unit for RN II positions and I went ahead and applied for one of them. The unit I work on is known for hiring new grads and I have been told on more than one occasion that it is fine to apply for an RN II position.

So, now that I have applied for this position, and received this scholarship, I want to write a letter to the PCD thanking her for the experience on the unit and meeting with me. In addition to that I am going to let her know that I applied for a job on the unit, that I plan to take the NCLEX at the first available opportunity, and that I would appreciate an opportunity to work for her. I also let her know that I have applied to and plan to start working on an RN to BSN degree program starting in the fall.

The reason why I feel the need to write to the PCD is because I have heard that getting hired depends heavily on both HR and the PCD. I want to cover all my bases, but don't want to sound like an idiot. I have no idea what PCDs are looking for and to be perfectly honest, I don't want her to be irritated that she told me once before to reapply after I pass the NCLEX, and here I am, applying again just 2 months later. I have to cover my tail and apply for jobs when they are available, and not risk losing an opportunity to another soon-to-be-grad, who applied before I did. I want her to know I am serious about working on that unit, and make contact with her again before she forgets about me.

Sorry for being so long-winded. If you have any advice I would really appreciate it. This whole experience is extremely nerve-wracking. I don;t know what PCDs are looking for and/or how they make decisions about which new grads to hire. I want to set myself apart from the other students she's meeting, and keep my name fresh in her mind. I have a serious advantage over my peers because of this scholarship opportunity. Although it doesn't "guarantee" me a job, I know it will open doors. I just hope it opens the door to the IMCU!

[Neuro Guy NP, DNP, PhD, APRN]

My advice would be to just apply, apply, apply. If I understand your whole post, you said you already applied to a couple. Get started applying now. You are not that far away from passing your boards (which I am sure you will do!), so just keep your chin up and go after every job. Don't be to picky at first, don't limit yourself. If it says you must have 1 year's experience, apply for it anyway. You never know!

Best wishes

[Cilantrophobe]

I have applied to 4 jobs. I just don't want to rely solely on HR to get hired. From what I understand, the PCD has just as much, if not more power over the hiring process. I will apply no matter what, but I don't want to apply over and over without following up, or doing my part to show these people I'm not just another desperate soon-to-be-new-grad.

[Cilantrophobe]

Did I post this in the wrong area? I was really hoping for more advice or help.

[Old.Timer]

Essentially you have been "hired" by the hospital by being selected as a "scholar".

I would send a SHORT note to the PCD saying something along the lines of :

You kindly took the time a couple of months ago to speak with me blah blah and encouraged me to contact you when I passed the NCLEX.

I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know that since our previous conversation, I have been selected as scholar whatever . I remain extremely interested in becoming a member of your team and have provided HR with my application for position whatever. I am scheduled to NCLEX _____.