New Grad-Job Application Help

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

Hi All,

I'm a recent graduate/new nurse who is applying to a nurse residency program. I have finished my resume and cover letter, but I'm having trouble with the letter of introduction. This nurse residency program requires "a detailed letter of introduction to include the clinical rotation that you found most interesting, where you completed your clinical rotations, externships, internships and/or senior practicum if applicable and your top two or three areas of clinical interest." I don't have a problem with writing about what clinicals I've done, but I have a problem with trying to sell myself to them. For instance, I want to work med-surg because I think its a great place to gain experience, but I don't know how to tell them why I'd be good for that floor. I don't have any healthcare experience outside of nursing school, and while I was in nursing school, I was a nervous wreck. I honestly like working with people but I do lack confidence, and this residency program is kinda an outlet for me to gain confidence in myself. Can you guys list some very general things people who would want to apply for a med-surg floor (or any nursing floor) would say about themselves so that I can be pointed in the right direction?

Hi,

Congrats on completing nursing school! I hope this is not too late. I feel like a lot of jobs look for nurses who will stay for quite a while on the unit. Talk about why and how you survived nursing school! Show that you will stay and will do gréât! Since you don’t have bedside nursing/outside experience, I would start with an example , a time you had with a patient during clinicals and why you liked/enjoyed it. Why is this patient so significant? Any clinical experience that stood out for you? How you felt about the situation and how it got better in the end. Maybe say something how you were quite nervous ...and then eventually got better. Talk about the patient’s diagnosis.

I hope that helps. And I do hope that you don’t stay on a med/surg Floor for more than a year. Do a year or less and move to another unit. Even though you feel like you’re not ready, just do it.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Rather than worrying about selling yourself, I recommend you answer the questions honestly. Your desire to have a med surg position in order to gain experience and confidence is good and admirable.

You run into problems.when you try to make yourself seem like something you aren't. The employer wants to put you where your needs will be met so they have the best chance of retaining you. It's crazy expensive to hire and train nurses.

On 10/10/2019 at 5:34 AM, yournurse said:

And I do hope that you don’t stay on a med/surg Floor for more than a year. Do a year or less and move to another unit. Even though you feel like you’re not ready, just do it.

That's odd advice. Why would you suggest that, out of curiosity?

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