Networking,finding A Job And Relocating

[brown eyed girl]

I am still having a hard time finding a job. I have applied for jobs online and faxed resume's and cover letters with no responses. I was supposed to go to my future city last week but had to cancel my plans b/c of a unexpected family issue. I want to network to find some job leads that may not be advertised and meet new people but, I don't know where to start. I have been at this for a while and I am literally not getting anywhere with the things that I am doing. I am frustrated and emotionally exhausted. Dont forget (for those aware) that I dont have a steady job just a prn position, due to my anticipated move and I haven't had much opportunity to work b/c there hasn't been any availability (at least that's what I was told).

Does anyone have any advice to possibly guide me in the right direction? I have been out of school since Dec 05 and got licensed during my first attempt at the NCLEX in Feb 06. My strongest interests right now are in corrections, substance abuse, and med/surg nursing. I will work ltc if I have to but it's not my strongest interest b/c I have been an aide for 7 years in ltc and I just want to try something different.

I feel like a failure b/c everyone (that has passed the nclex) in my class is working and I would have never believed before I graduated that I would've had a hard time finding a job especially since I have 7 years of current experience in healthcare. I also didn't think it would be this hard trying to get a call back on my cover letter and resume just to get an interview. Right now Im just at my wits end on what to do next. My first year in nursing has been a nightmare for me and that's putting it mildly. Im seriously on the verge of just continuing to work as an aide and when I can just start taking classes one by one to work toward my RN.

Can someone possibly guide me in the right direction in the ways of networking and finding a job in my new area?

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

Have you tried calling nurse recruiters? When I knew I was relocating, I sent resume's and applied online with no response. Once I picked up the phone and started calling recruiters at those very same facilities that I applied to online, interivews were incredibly easy to get.

Good luck and don't get discouraged!

[brown eyed girl]

All they provide the majority of the time is a fax number. Sometimes its hard to even get the name of the company unless it's a hospital or nursing home. And they never give a name for a contact, just the fax and email address.

[llg, PhD, RN]

All they provide the majority of the time is a fax number. Sometimes its hard to even get the name of the company unless it's a hospital or nursing home. And they never give a name for a contact, just the fax and email address.

Who are "they" who won't put you in touch with the hospitals' Nurse Recruiters? Are you actually calling the hospital on the phone and asking to speak to the Nurse Recruiter? If there is not a specific Nurse Recruiter for the hospital, you should be speaking with Human Resources.

When you call the main hospital number, ask for the Nurse Recruter's office. If that doesn't work, ask for the Human Resources Department. When you reach one of those two resources, tell them you are in the process of moving to their town and looking for a med/surg nursing job. If necessary, tell them that you are having some technical problems with using their website and would like to speak to someone about the application process. If it's necessary to explain further, tell them that you tried to e-mail them etc., but it apparently has not been getting through as you have received no response.

If all that doesn't work, ask to speak either with the Head of Human Resources or someone in Nursing Administration who can answer your questions. If that doesn't work, write a very nice polite letter to the Vice President for Nursing (or Director of Nursing) and explain your situation. Tell her that you have tried to apply for a job, but that no one will let you speak with a recruiter, answer your e-mails, etc.

It's just like any other job problem-- you keep going up the ladder until you get a response.

llg

[brown eyed girl]

Im referring to the online job postings.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I wonder if you're referring to openings posted online through Monster.com or other similar sites. If this isn't working, I'd cut out that "layer" of contacts, find the hospitals in the area you're moving to, and contact those hospitals directly.

Good luck to you! :)

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

You might do better networking on these forums to find out what facilities have a good rep among the nurses, then call their recruiters. When I relocated from Florida to PA, I didn't answer any ads. I found out what hospitals were in the area and went from there. It helps to have contacts in the area. The recruiters are going to want to know when you're available for an interview and what type of nursing you're interested in. The hospital I eventually went to work for gave me a printed itinerary to meet with unit directors and the rest is history.

Good luck on your search. By the way, a little off topic, be good to yourself. New career and new surroundings to get accustomed to all at the same time is stressful. It's also exciting and rewarding. It's been nearly 6 months and I'm settled in now, but in the beginning, it was tough.