Minimal RN experience, looking for a job

amoLucia · Jul 20, 2017

With 11 months of experience, you no longer qualify as a "new graduate". So those positions are OUT. You do have experience so you'll have to focus on your past experiences and emphasize that to your best advantage. Don't sell yourself short!

Good luck.

poseina · Jul 20, 2017

Thank you for your encouragement!! Yes you are right. I don't want to sell myself short and also I must not do that. I was a bit disappointed to see the job posting requirements of the big hospitals which require "at least 1 year of acute care experience"... Do you know anybody who can share a successful story in similar occasion? Any suggestions for resume correction? I feel nervous now..Any things that I can do rather than just waiting and praying?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 29, 2017

You are not a new grad. You graduated 4 years ago and have been a licensed nurse for 3. Why such short periods at jobs over 3 years? When is the last time you worked (you specify the names of schools and employers but xx the years you worked?) That will be a question asked. Some hospitals have specialized training programs for nurses coming from other disciplines or returning to the workforce but not many

poseina · Jul 30, 2017

Thank you for the response! Yes, I will prepare answer for those questions. I graduated ADN on 12/2013 and got the license on 6/2014. It took me several months to get the license, since that was the time when BRN had a issue with processing/assigning NCLEX exam dates to applicants. My cohorts all had a same issue. After the license, I immediately started BSN program from 8/2014 to 8/2015. I could not find out places to work part-time due to 2 reasons during this school year. First, I had to take full 12 units for all semesters since I was accelerating the curriculum, which limited my availability to work. Second, I had no medical experiences and was too stupid to think about working voluntary basis to build a network for future. I should have worked even it was a voluntary basis! But I did not know the importance of building a network...and I needed some source of income. So, I worked part-time in different fields, non-medical during this school year.

After BSN graduation, I immediately started work at GI Lab (8/2015-12/2015) then, had to go back to Korea for family emergency. Then, I came back and started working at long-term facility from 10/2016- 2/2017. So, my last time to work as a RN was 2/2017.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 30, 2017

Thank you for the response! Yes, I will prepare answer for those questions. I graduated ADN on 12/2013 and got the license on 6/2014. It took me several months to get the license, since that was the time when BRN had a issue with processing/assigning NCLEX exam dates to applicants. My cohorts all had a same issue. After the license, I immediately started BSN program from 8/2014 to 8/2015. I could not find out places to work part-time due to 2 reasons during this school year. First, I had to take full 12 units for all semesters since I was accelerating the curriculum, which limited my availability to work. Second, I had no medical experiences and was too stupid to think about working voluntary basis to build a network for future. I should have worked even it was a voluntary basis! But I did not know the importance of building a network...and I needed some source of income. So, I worked part-time in different fields, non-medical during this school year.
After BSN graduation, I immediately started work at GI Lab (8/2015-12/2015) then, had to go back to Korea for family emergency. Then, I came back and started working at long-term facility from 10/2016- 2/2017. So, my last time to work as a RN was 2/2017.

There are minimal true volunteer oportunities for inexperienced nurses. You likely wouldn't have found anything that would help you in the future. You have reasonablyvalid explanations for work gaps (overseas/out of country, school). Start applying now try subacute rehab, long term acute care hospitals, acute rehab, surgical centers. Don't limit to hospitals. The difference between a subacute nurse actively working and a nurse waiting and trying to get into the hospital? The former is employed GAO if experience. The latter is widening their period of unemployment.

twinsmom788 · Jul 31, 2017

Unless I missed it, you didn't specify the reason you left long term care nursing. As an interviewer. I would want to know why. Your resume looks good as far as the education part, however, your short length of employments would concern me. It is expensive to hire and train new employees, only to receive a short term result. You might have luck finding a prn position to prove that you are willing to cover shifts. Taking a less than desirable (to you) position that is difficult to fill for a facility may be your best bet. I would apply for acute care positions. A PACU nurse, in my opinion qualifies as acute care.

Best of luck.

HRhelp · Aug 3, 2017

I'd suggest moving the Education and Certification sections to follow Experience. The one year requirement is common but I've hired nurses with less. I really just need to know you have been paid for the level of responsibility of a full-time RN. If it's been one year or 4 months won't make a difference (though I'd need a clear understanding of why you are leaving after a short period of time).

You'll hear that some recruiters do not read cover letters and that's true, but some of us do. I read every cover letter I get with more interest than the resume itself. Introduce yourself and be meaningful and specific in your career goals. If you are applying for a position in Med/Surg than explain why.

I have supported hundreds of nurse managers and the things that kill the hiring process are: 1) Only willing to work days M-F. 2) Only targeting specialized areas where they have no experience. 3) Flat affect during an interview. 4) Attitude of entitlement.

Don't take rejection personally, stay positive, and always be nice. Best of luck!