I want to work in the VA!!!! Well anywhere, honestly...

Scooter321 · Jan 18, 2011

This thread, along with all the others, is truly scary. I do appreciate all the wonderful advice given here though. I wonder if I could hijack the thread to ask a question or two? Applying now rather than later (I also expect to graduate in May) seems like a great idea, but how does that work? Should we apply to actual job openings that are currently posted? Won't they be filled long before we are able to work as an RN? Would HR typically keep the resume on file, and if so, would we check job postings again much closer to the time of graduation and re-apply for anything new?

Alternatively, should we just shoot our resumes off to the HR departments without actually applying for a specific job? :confused:

Sorry if this is a silly question--I'm just trying to understand how it all works. Thanks so much.

rloh961 · Jan 18, 2011

Scooter321, I'm SO not qualified to answer your questions, but see if that will stop me!

I don't know how applying for jobs works while still in school and pre-NCLEX, but one thing I would suggest is to really work at impressing people and making connections at your clinical assignment(s). Make yourself someone they'd really want to work with, and try putting out feelers amongst the working nurses to see if they know of any possible job leads. You also want to really impress your teachers. It looks like every new grad around here is going to need those good connections, plus people who are willing to write stellar letters of recommendation!

I get what you're saying about applying for jobs that are currently posted -- it seems they won't be interested in someone who isn't even licensed yet and are looking to fill the spots before you'll be ready. What about getting in touch with HR departments (by phone or in person is better than by email or mail), just to get a sense of what their hiring climate is like and to establish contact with them? It might be a start...

Good luck to you.

NewbieNeedsHelp · Jan 18, 2011

this is *our* thread hehe nobody worry about hijacking it :) your questions are questions I have too so we can all get them answered here!

as far as speciality (neoPediRN) to be totally honest, i would work in any area at all that would have me. But I do have a special interest in geriatrics. I would love peds...I would really love to be in OB...not too fond of psych but I would take a job no questions asked and with a huggee smile on my face.

It's just unfortunate because I dont actually live in Boston yet, but I am planning a trip in March so I could visit HR departments then...but then I think of the daunting task of going to every Boston hospital and surrounding hospital as well and talking to all the dif HR departments.. ahhh but if thats what it takes I'll do it.

Oh and scooter I've wondered the same. I was told that most HR departments throw away hard copies of resumes that are sent to them but I dont know if thats true... I might do it anyways, my resume is so pretty haha plus it seems like it would show effort ya know? Do you list your clinical experiences on your resume? I didnt know if that was appropriate but I felt like it needed bulk, lol..

oh yes and final question: can i work in mass as a CNA without having to get certified? stupid question I know but where Im from they let us work as CNAs because we are in nursing school...so we dont have to actually get certified. If I do need to get certified how long does the process take and how should I go about doing it?

money is time

April, RN, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2011

oh yes and final question: can i work in mass as a CNA without having to get certified? stupid question I know but where Im from they let us work as CNAs because we are in nursing school...so we dont have to actually get certified. If I do need to get certified how long does the process take and how should I go about doing it?

You can work as a CNA once you have one clinical rotation completed. You don't have to be certified. I hate to be the voice of doom again but like I mentioned before, the hospitals I'm familiar with around here won't let you work as a CNA once you have an RN license, and I doubt they would hire someone as a CNA knowing they are about to take their RN boards.

NewbieNeedsHelp · Jan 18, 2011

You can work as a CNA once you have one clinical rotation completed. You don't have to be certified. I hate to be the voice of doom again but like I mentioned before, the hospitals I'm familiar with around here won't let you work as a CNA once you have an RN license, and I doubt they would hire someone as a CNA knowing they are about to take their RN boards.

ooooo thats a good point. I remember reading that somewhere... well shoot, that makes that a bit more difficult.. If worst comes to worst and I take a job as say, a hospital housekeeper, maybe I could apply as an internal canidate later and get a job easier? or maybe thats just a dumb idea... blah

Scooter321 · Jan 19, 2011

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm still not sure exactly how to go about applying for an RN position months before graduating. I guess calling the individual HR departments might be my best bet.

Good luck to one and all of us--it's scary out there! :eek:

April, RN, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2011

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm still not sure exactly how to go about applying for an RN position months before graduating. I guess calling the individual HR departments might be my best bet.

It's common practice at many hospitals to offer you a job before graduation, contingent up you passing the boards. Since there are no new graduate postings listed right now, my thought is that if you apply to any posting that doesn't specify that experience is required, they are going to see you are a new grad. If they are able to hire a new grad at that time, they'll call you for an interview.

Scooter321 · Jan 19, 2011

It's common practice at many hospitals to offer you a job before graduation, contingent up you passing the boards. Since there are no new graduate postings listed right now, my thought is that if you apply to any posting that doesn't specify that experience is required, they are going to see you are a new grad. If they are able to hire a new grad at that time, they'll call you for an interview.

Thanks, April. Are you saying that they would call you for an interview now (if they liked your resume) for a job advertised now, knowing that you (I) would not be a nurse or even a graduate for several more months? That's what is confusing me--the logistics of the timeline if we apply for posted positions months before we could actually take the position. Sorry if I'm being dim about this. :confused:

April, RN, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2011

Thanks, April. Are you saying that they would call you for an interview now (if they liked your resume) for a job advertised now, knowing that you (I) would not be a nurse or even a graduate for several more months? That's what is confusing me--the logistics of the timeline if we apply for posted positions months before we could actually take the position. Sorry if I'm being dim about this.

You are not being dim! This stuff is confusing and overwhelming. It says on your resume that your graduation date is coming up in May so they will know you are a new grad when they look at it. You also state in your cover letter that you will be a new grad in May, although now it seems like many online application systems have no way to upload a cover letter. Up until recently, a new grad would apply for jobs months before graduation and would get offered jobs months before graduation. When I was a new grad, I (and many others) started applying in January and had my first interview later that month. I accepted a job offer in March. Most other new grads had secured jobs before graduation as well. Once we passed the boards, we contacted HR and set up a start date. Some managers would rescind the offer if you failed the first time. Other managers gave you another chance. A few of the PCAs at my hospital were lucky enough to be offered RN jobs on their units by their managers this year.

As you know, things are different now because there are little to no postings that are open to new grads. I do know that some new grads have gotten positions though, despite hospitals saying there are no openings. That's why I'm recommending starting to apply now, and to every posting you find that doesn't specify that experience is needed. You can also call HR once every 2 weeks or so to inquire about any open positions you can apply to. That can also get them to remember your name. In my experience though, HR departments are less than helpful.

Scooter321 · Jan 19, 2011

Thanks again, April. Very helpful. :yeah: Wish us luck!

NewbieNeedsHelp · Jan 22, 2011

yes thank you so much april and everyone else who is helping us :) I appreciate it so much. I have now applied to 107 jobs, go meeeee! haha

Guest717236 · Jan 22, 2011

Try Rhode Island Hospital. I am an experienced but a semi retired RN. A few weeks ago

I received a call that they needed nurses in a number of specialties. There was no

mention that it was for experience nurses only. I assume they got my name/number from

the RI BON as I am registered in RI and live in Ma.

Also they may have some non nursing jobs, you could apply for and then transition into

a nursing position at a later time.

Good luck to everyone who is currently applying.

Sorry the economy is so difficult right now, I fear nursing will lose some good people if

things don't improve soon.