New Grad! HELP!

I agree, your resume is most likely the culprit if you are not landing any interviews.

Congrats on getting your license! and for continuing on to get your BSN- smart!

It's important to stand out and catch the recruiter's attention- because of the sheer number of applicants.

Target your resume to each individual employer, and make sure your resume is flawless in term of grammar and spelling.

Apply to positions that are open to new grads, and avoid those that specify "experience required" ("experience preferred is OK").

Are you able to re-locate? Jobs for new grads are less competitive in some areas.

Keep in mind that you have been searching for a couple of months, which is not uncommon. It is important that you land a job as soon as possible as the "new grad status" clock is ticking.

Thank you all for your replies.

Do you recommend actually going to the facilities and turn in a resume by hand?

I'm a wife and momma of 4 little ones, so relocating isn't an option.

Thanks for your advice. It's appreciated.

That's such a great question. Here's how I answered in my book "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job...and Your Next!"

Question: Is it ever Ok to walk in to a Nurse Manager's office, resume in hand, to apply for*a nursing job?

You may have considered*it, but you're not*sure if it's such a wise move. Not to mention, it's scary!

So is it bold and brassy but OK? Or risky and regrettable?

Answer: Yes. It is bold, brassy, risky and can be regrettable. Or wildly successful.

Is it Ok to walk in to apply for a job?

Like most risky moves, it could pay off big-time...or backfire big-time!

Is it Ok to walk into apply for a job? The Nurse Manager's view

Some managers will see walking in to apply for a job*as circumventing the process and be irritated. They may pointedly inform*you to apply through HR like everyone else, and dismiss you while looking down at their desktop. That's the risk.

But even managers who are irritated in the moment may inwardly admire your spunk. And when your resume comes across their desk through the usual channels, they'll remember you.

Other managers will size you up when you walk in to apply for a job, and give you a moment. If so, be brief, respectful of their time, and thank them. Say that you are aware there is a position for which you qualify, and you wanted to drop your application off in person.

This is not an interview unless the manager makes it one. But always be prepared for new grad RN interview questions!

They may be impressed enough with your initiative and *presence that they expedite your*application process and hire you. That's the benefit.

My thoughts about walk ins to apply for a job

My thoughts? As a previous manager, this happened to me a lot.

Most commonly, an employee of mine would bring someone (a friend, relative)*in unannounced and I would have to deal with it graciously on the spot.

At times, yes, I did find it irritating that my busy day was interrupted. But...if it was a high-performing employee who I valued that*was bringing in a friend, I tended to pay*more*attention, and extend myself more on their behalf. I absolutely did hire some great employees this way.

Walking in to apply for a job*has a better chance of being effective when you have a connection with someone in the organization, but that's not to say you can't do it on your own.

If you are going to try*this, aim for a Monday or Friday when meetings are predictably fewer and there's a greater chance the nurse manager will be in their office.

At the very least, you can leave your resume, captivating cover letter, and contact information.

"Hello, I understand there's an opening for new grad nurses. I wanted to drop off my resume in person and face to face."

Difficult times call for bold moves.

note: another point is that in some organizations there can be a disconnect between HR and the targeted nurse manager. Somehow, someway, resumes get lost in a black hole. Hard to believe, I know.