New Grad applicant walked on a unit today...

[BotoxBaby]

I'm a new grad RN-ADN and in attempt to stand out from the gazillion applicants for the 1 new grad position, I walked on to a unit in attempt to simply introduce myself to the manager. I just wanted 2 seconds of her time. I completely understand how swamped with work they are, but I didn't even get those 2 seconds. All I wanted was to introduce myself, possibly hand over a resume, and merely express my interest in the position and hospital. That's all and I would walk away and she could throw my resume away the second I walked away if she wanted, but at least I tried my very best. Well that's what I was thinking may happen. I was trying to go the "extra mile" and have her put a face to the name.

Instead, her door opened and she said she was in the middle of something and that if I wanted to schedule something I should have called then the door was literally shut on my face. Now I completely understand that in general if you want to set up a meeting, then you call and schedule, but in reality, what were the chances of me calling and her saying "sure come in on this day at this time" I doubt it. She seemed irritated with me just knocking on her door! Either way, I feel cut down in size after it took so much for me to muster up the courage to go through with it.

I have heard of success stories where new grads get at least an interview from doing this and it is even on some of the articles posted here telling us how to get our first position, but today I feel discouraged to even try that again.

What are your thoughts?

[All4NursingRN]

awe don't worry, we've all had our share of struggles in nursing. I remember years ago how hard it was to find a job and coming to tears one day. I eventually found one, a stepping stone to my current job (which also took me months to find)

We're all in this together. I am pretty bummed right now not being able to change specialties, but I know I'll find something I love eventually. For now we must do what we have to do. I try to make as much phone calls and send emails as much as I can. Maybe even walk into HR.

Don't let this experience discourage you, many times the path is not perfect or planned, or well thought out but you WILL get there.

Try to get a hiring manager or unit manager's email address, maybe some phone calls might be less intimidating to them than a walk in. Call HR and ask for numbers for the unit, any close professors/clinical instructors from school, ask them for references and if they can help you out. most of all keep your head up and your mind ready.

Best of wishes!

[All4NursingRN]

and to the people being harsh. I don't see any harm in what OP did, she did not lie about where she was going or her intent to security. She is simply another professional who has graduated and is without job in her specified career. There is nothing wrong with wanting to stand out in a tough economic atmosphere so save the excuses. That NM had NO RIGHT to slam the door in her face and you all know that. As irritated as I get at work I am NEVERRRRRRRRRRR rude to students and volunteers, because I have no right to take my work frustrations out on them.

I was once approached by a new grad looking for a manager as well, and I cordially gave her some information. I was in the middle of my work and could have chosen to be snappy and rude because she disturbed my work, but I didn't.

I have a feeling alot of you on here are in management or plain old in nursing too long because too much of you are too critical and too quick to draw conclusions. It's a re-curring theme on this website. I've been her a long time. Learn to have some empathy, something alot of you CLAIM to have.

[nursel56]

My question for those who think this is a good idea (and I'm not saying it isn't ) - wouldn't things get a bit chaotic if all 299 other new grads decided to do the same thing? Perhaps they considered it but decided to play by the rules and take their chances?

And the other question is, why does the manager need to be warm, kind, empathetic and polite under those circumstances? Technically, the OP "cut in line" so to speak so I'm a little baffled by those who are trashing the manager. Of all the managers I've had over the years, I can only think of one who wouldn't be irritated by that.

[manda0931]

I've personally walked onto different units with no prior warning twice. The first time I did it I felt so awkward and I was nervous but the ANM was very welcoming and nice. She told me that they had just filled all of their empty positions and wouldn't be hiring till the end of August so I figured that was no go. The second place I did it they had already had my name because I had a friend who works on that unit. I kept hoping I'd get a call about an interview because they had my name for about three weeks. I finally did get a call but it wasn't until the day after I came in and gave my resume to the ANM. I had the interview two days later and I got the job.

The first place I went to ended up calling me 2 1/2 months later in August asking if I was still interested in employment. But luckily I was able to say I already was employed.

So I think you should do it. If they don't give you the time of day then oh well. All you need is one ANM who appreciates your efforts!

[Platypus]

As a person who does hiring at my facility, it would irritate me if someone walked in and insisted on trying to introduce themselves to get a job. I work in a relatively small facility (76 beds) and have two job titles Asst. Dir of Nursing and Dir. of Clinical Education.

When I walk in, I literally hit the ground running and the work is NEVER done. I am innundated with calls all day long from hopeful employees. Someone dropped off their resume yesterday wanting to know the status of their application - Umm still sitting in my when-I-get-to-it file. I am not "HR," for the building, I am a nurse administrator with multiple job tasks. I try to be patient with people, but don't you think I would call you when I see your resume might meet our staffing needs.

You want to stand out, consider volunteering for activities department. As a volunteer at our facility you would get your background check, drug test and PPD done. You could see what long term care is like and we could see what you are like. Plus, it would be something you could add to your resume.

[kissafish4]

I can see the other points of view but I found myself in a similar situation a while back and I did just what you did. I had applied and applied for a position that I knew I wanted and knew I was qualified for and I wasn't even getting called for an interview. I finally decided to just go talk to the manager in person so I showed up at her door with my resume and told her that I had applied for a position several times that I felt I was qualified for but hadn't even received a phone call. She invited me in, looked over my resume, interviewed me on the spot, walked me through the unit and introduced me to everyone and then hired me right then and there. Actually hired me for another position that she saw I was qualified for that wasn't open just yet but was about to be posted and it was a harder to fill position. Worked out best for both of us. So yeah it's probably hit or miss but what the heck the worst thing that can happen is they'll say no. If you don't ask, the answer is already no.

[HM-8404, BSN, RN]

I have a feeling alot of you on here are in management or plain old in nursing too long because too much of you are too critical and too quick to draw conclusions. It's a re-curring theme on this website. I've been her a long time. Learn to have some empathy, something alot of you CLAIM to have.

So let's see. Those of us that think what the OP did was wrong are too critical and lack empathy, but those that don't know what the OP may have interrupted and are bashing the NM, are not being too critical and lacking empathy?

Does anyone know if the OP was the third person to knock on the NM's door in the past 10 mins just wanting to "put a face to a resume`"?

I wonder how the people on here would have responded if that NM had been the one to post on here, I had very distraught mother in my office and I was telling her what to expect when we removed her 17 year old brain dead daughter, who was admitted last night after an accident that also killed her husband, from life support. Right in the middle of my trying to explain this to her and comfort her at the same time someone knocks on my door. Upon opening the door it is not the chaplain I was expecting, but someone wanting to talk to me about a job. I was so irritated I just took the resume` and closed my door.

How many of those bashing the NM now would be talking about how rude the applicant was for not following protocol?

[BotoxBaby]

I love the various points of view, some I may not wholly agree with, but nonetheless I love seeing the other side.

[Guest343211]

Sigh, again,

read what some of us are saying. Her approach was a little misguided. We acknowledged that. But there is more than one perspective on this.

It's not an either or thing. It has to do with approach.

Finally, I would hope that some here that found what OP did as irritating or whatever--fine--but would you have responded in the same way as the mger in OP's story?

I hope not--again, not unless the place was on fire--and even then say, "The places is on fire!"

Both approaches were not fully appropriate--the OP and the NM. They may both feel justified in their approaches/responses, but both should step back and re-think themselves. I see that from the OP, unfortunately, we cannot see if that would be a possibility from the NM's perspective. The ability to do that or not do that, personally, would speak volumes to me.

Dealing with people is about dealing with human beings as human beings--it doesn't matter who the other human being is--or what you are doing. There is no need for rudeness.

And for those in or around or sympathetic to mgt that worry about this as becoming a trend, it's not probable.

As I said before, things are quite tightened up, especially since 9/11--and in light of HIPAA and other issues. In most places, you can't just waltz in the door. You have to have a loved one in the facility, have a purpose for being there--like, you work there, or you will need an appointment. If there is a fair or some event going on, that may be different, but as I said, even then, pre-registration is usually required. I don't see a lot of facilities w/ loosened security. It usually doesn't happen anymore. Not saying it can't, but it is sure different in this decade, as compared with previous ones.

BTW. I am an very experienced, long-term nurse, and I have worked in management.

The OP's post should serve to help us consider all sides of the situation.

And BTW, I have NOT condemned or judged the mger. I acknowledged that she may have been dealing with a high-level issue, or multiply issues. All I am saying, along with some others, is that she needn't be rude. It's uncalled for, period. That may not be the way in she normally behaves. OK. Great. But in this instance, nothing indicates that her rudeness was justifies--meaning, the place was not on fire or no one was coding right before her eyes. I have handled zillions of situations when I was up to my eyeballs in alligators, but I wasn't rude. The only possible exception to that were when there were codes, and no one was responding to give the proper support in a code situation. I say that I I believe it is IMPERATIVE to stay calm and think critically during a code. When you need a team b/c you are trying to do a 100 things at once in order to save someone's life, however, it can be justified.

Such a situation did not seem to be the case with the NM that OP describes.

Any way, LOL, OP, Girl, you got a good amount of responses on this thread! You're up to 55! :)

Let's just chill and be reasonable. K?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I haven't read through all the posts...but I will say this: many times I've heard first hand AND read about new grads having success when they approached the NM directly. Sometimes this approach works, sometimes it doesn't. The OP took a chance. In this economic climate, who can blame her? Even if the NM was busy he/she didn't have to be rude.

[Guest343211]

I haven't read through all the posts...but I will say this: many times I've heard first hand AND read about new grads having success when they approached the NM directly. Sometimes this approach works, sometimes it doesn't. The OP took a chance. In this economic climate, who can blame her? Even if the NM was busy he/she didn't have to be rude.

Absolutely true.

Only further interactions with the NM would tell if this is indeed how she operates. I take special notice of your Maya Angelou quote! Quite true! :)

[Guest343211]

So let's see. Those of us that think what the OP did was wrong are too critical and lack empathy, but those that don't know what the OP may have interrupted and are bashing the NM, are not being too critical and lacking empathy?

Does anyone know if the OP was the third person to knock on the NM's door in the past 10 mins just wanting to "put a face to a resume`"?

I wonder how the people on here would have responded if that NM had been the one to post on here, I had very distraught mother in my office and I was telling her what to expect when we removed her 17 year old brain dead daughter, who was admitted last night after an accident that also killed her husband, from life support. Right in the middle of my trying to explain this to her and comfort her at the same time someone knocks on my door. Upon opening the door it is not the chaplain I was expecting, but someone wanting to talk to me about a job. I was so irritated I just took the resume` and closed my door.

How many of those bashing the NM now would be talking about how rude the applicant was for not following protocol?

Again, we acknowledge that she may have been involved in something quite important. Again, unless the house is on fire, it takes as much time to be briefly polite as it does to be rude.