I'm feeling pretty discouraged with the whole job searching process It feels like the only people from my class that have gotten jobs are those that have really great connections with recruiters/managers/directors in the hospital. I'm wondering if those of you that got a job w/out connections could share your story or any advice?
I think I'm going to start going hospital to hospital and just heading straight to the recruiters office to personally drop off my resume...as nervous as I am to do so! Has anyone had success doing this? I am sick of just submitting application after application online only to receive the classic "rejection" email.
I just feel like I am so behind. I graduated this past May (2011) and passed the Nclex on Aug. 4th....I feel like I've already missed all the hiring opportunities and no one is even looking anymore....Ugh, ok I'm going to stop being so negative, just needed to vent a little!
Any encouragement or advice would be greatly appreciated....Thank you so much!
i felt like i was the only one in the graduating with this problem, and i think i am, but it's good to know that i am not alone nation wide. i took the nclex in july and got my license in august, and i just feel like all hospitals have already selected their handful of new grads. it's been an up and down rollercoaster. i am motivated and applying everything, then receive a couple "we have decided to select a candidate more qualified for this position" emails, which puts me in a major slump. i was so desperate that i even looked into a position as a nurse for the navy!, which to be honest doesn't sound to bad. luckily i have my boyfriend who has been encouraging me back on my feet...again...for the 4 time. so i am climbing my way back up. i felt so discouraged so i contacted my professor for some encouraging advice. she told me that it is somewhat late in the process, especially if i wanted to get into a cohort, and just may have to wait till december. but if it's just a regular position then i needed to step up my game.
she said there are so many new grads in my same position and there are probably stacks of applications on the human resources pile. if they see that you have no experience, then its pushed aside. so go into the hospital. meet the recruiters. meet the unit managers. though this may not guarantee a position, it shows initiative and that's what they like. many places might and will shut you down, because they are busy. i feel like if you can get a hold of the unit manager it be the best way for them to quickly reply back. from what i've read, hr does not have that big of a say in the hiring process? your best bet is to go directly to the unit manager, because they technically get a bigger say in who they want to hire onto the floor and the nursing team. it be good to ask them questions and ask if you can get a tour of the unit to really show your interest. that way the recruiters/nurse manager will remember you and suggest for an interview.
i've been doing some intense research on what questions to ask, how to attack this situation, so here are some things i have picked up:
[color=#31849b]questions for unit managers
- how is the relationship between nursing staff and patient acuity?
- patient ratios to nurses and aides?
- how often are nurses required to float or rotate shifts?
- what is the support in emergency situations?
- how long is the orientation period?
- what education opportunities are available for staff nurse?
- do master's-prepared clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and nurse-researchers work here? how do they interact with staff nurse? -committed to quality nursing practice
- are there committees, such as organizational committees, that staff nurse serve in? -professional nursing practice
- what resources are available during night shifts?
- what nursing care delivery systems or models are used here?--total, functional, team, primary
- are there nurse educators and how often are they available?
- how are performance evaluations done, and how frequently?
[color=#31849b]questions for recruiters
- benefits, vacation days, opportunities for advancement or continued schooling.
- is there a sign on bonus?
- how long is the orientation period?
- pay scale? shifts? differentials?
- does the facility offer continuing education courses at the hospital? what education opportunities are available for staff nurse?
- what is your orientation program like? do you have a preceptor program? what is its duration?
- do you allow time off for and/pay for continuing education?
"as someone who is just starting out as a nurse, i really respect your experience and would appreciate any advice or insight you could give me in regards to getting started."
"hello _____ name is _____, and i graduated this spring at the ______. i understand that you have a position open on your floor, and i have submitted an application. i wanted to touch base with you to see if the position was still open, and if so, when you will begin interviewing for the position. i am very interested in working for your facility and would like to meet with you to discuss this."
I am currently in nursing school and have not faced the struggle of finding a new grad position yet. I say YET, because I'm sure I will be there with you guys soon. However, I do have experience recruiting and placing nurses, NPs, allied HC workers and physicians.
Regarding the questions for unit managers, I think these are great questions and will be sure to make a copy of these for future reference.
Regarding the questions for recruiters, be careful when and how these questions are asked. Questions regarding salary and benefits should only be asked further along in the process when you feel that you will probably be receiving an offer, not on the first interview. I especially would not ask a recruiter I'm first meeting with if I would be getting a sign on bonus. I think this question should be held until an offer is made, especially in this economy, and especially for a new grad. And if you do ask for one, be prepared with an excellent answer if you're asked, "Why do you think, as a fresh grad with no job experience, you deserve a sign on bonus?" And also know what other hospitals in the area are offering sign on bonuses and how much they average.
Regarding the cover/introduction letter, the word "I" is used 5 times. Whoever is reading this letter doesn't care what you want. People want their own problems addressed, not what other people want. Try to imagine the problem the unit manager or recruiter is having (having to spend valuable time and energy filliing a position for which they've received hundreds of resumes for), and focus your letter on how you can solve that problem for them...a brief summary of the clinical experience you have that would benefit the unit, and basically, in a sentence or two, how you will be an asset to them. If I received that cover letter, I would put it in the NO pile immediately. I know applicants are interested in a position with my company, that's why they're applying, and I don't care that they want an interview, this is also obviously implied. A good cover letter is the hardest thing to write bc 99.9% of them are exactly the same and say nothing. Be creative and think out of the box. Try to show the receiver how you can help them, don't tell them what YOU want. Good luck everyone!
i am in the same boat, all my friends also got jobs becuz they knew someone, i know no one and i went to school upstate ny and now im downstate so i did none of my clinicals in the nyc...im so discouraged but i am going to say that i have had 4 interviews and the only way i received those interviews was by walkin into hospitals and giving my resume straight to the recruiters, only thing about that is in nyc not all hospitals accept walk in's smh...n
i graduated in 2009 but didnt pass nclex untill may 2011 so now i have to explain why i failed so much i guess, seems like thats why i didnt get any job yet, i feel sick to my stomach, i owe money im broke and all im doin is volunteering and babysitting smh sad but true !! Be positive tho cuz thats all we have
I thought nursing was suppose to be the greatest career opportunity? Instructors forgot to mention that new grads aren't easily hired! Someone give us a bone!
Amen... really WISH they would have spent some time addressing this.
Might have been something actually useful in the real world.
It's really frustrating you go through hell literally to become a nurse, then you figure well getting a job should not be that hard, hmmm. I live in Miami, Fl I've tried applying at North shore, Baptist (North, South, East, West, you name it, Mercy and all their affiliations, Aventura, agencies, LTC, Jackson, I also posted my resume on careerbuilder, indeed.com, also posted an ad on craiglist, the only thing I need to do next is basically go on national TV or may be put an ad on the radio. Sometimes what gets you a job right away is who you KNOW.
It's really frustrating you go through hell literally to become a nurse, then you figure well getting a job should not be that hard, hmmm. I live in Miami, Fl I've tried applying at North shore, Baptist (North, South, East, West, you name it, Mercy and all their affiliations, Aventura, agencies, LTC, Jackson, I also posted my resume on careerbuilder, indeed.com, also posted an ad on craiglist, the only thing I need to do next is basically go on national TV or may be put an ad on the radio. Sometimes what gets you a job right away is who you KNOW.
Saaame here.. Graduated May 2011, passed nclex aug, and have been applying since. I did sign up with a staffing agency but they barely have any work for me.
I did speak with a nurse that mentioned extremely similar things as the previous ppl have. To actual show up.. Possibly.. even every week. They love seeing persistance. I'm going to start doing that soon. Another suggestion that a recruiter gave me in a fair was to volunteer. One recruiter said becareful because they "knowwhat you're trying to do" but another recruiter said to go and state you are a new nurse but you want to see how the different areas are like and if it's something you would like to consider.
My dilemma is that I have no medical experience. I was offered a position as a dental assistant but.. what does that have to do with nursing ?_? i don't know it to take it or not..
But it looks way better than my ONLY work experience of beIng in retail x.x
It feels like the only people from my class that have gotten jobs are those that have really great connections with recruiters/managers/directors in the hospital. I'm wondering if those of you that got a job w/out connections could share your story or any advice?
:crying2:
tildor
99 Posts
Same boat too:( You are not alone.