New grad RN job fair...need advice

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So a hospital in Nashville is having a job fair for new grad RNs for their Nurse Residency progran next week. They are going to hire that day (total of 30 people). Their "sister" hospital had one last week that I went to and didnt do the best (mostly because I had spent the 4 days before with my husband at Bonaroo for our anniversary and only had 4 hours of sleep the night before the job fair...I got to see Paul McCartney so yes it was worth it! Lol).

Anyways, I am looking for advice on how to stand out from everyone else and make sure I'm one of the lucky ones who is picked! I've updated my resume (going to make sure I put some key words that relate to their mission statements and such) and try to make sure I mention some things I like about the hospital. Have a great business-y outfit picked out and I always try to act/talk professionally. I have a portfolio with my resume, reference list, clinical rotation list, copy of my BLS and ACLS, as well as my transcripts.

Any other advice on what to do/bring/say? Thanks in advance for the advice! I've put in probably 100 apps over the last month & have gotten nowhere, so I'm really hoping something good comes out of this!

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine.

Hey there! I work in Nashville at St. Thomas Hospital... Ha! ;). Anyways- a lot of hospitals are needing help for nurses right now in Nashville so that is to your advantage. If you have any CNA experience or prior hospital experience mention that. Stress that YOU are a Teamplayer! You'll help others when they are behind. Don't mention anything that suggests you will leave after 1 year and have gotten experience- there's a high new grad turnover employers worry about. Mention that you will work extra (even if u won't), you are always on time, don't call out ever, etc. if they ask for references give them only good work related references. Smile a lot and have good posture- shake hands and make eye contact, chat it up and make friends- be friendly! Lol :). That's all I got! Glad you and ur hubby survived bonaroo.

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Thanks BigDreamer! Saint Thomas was the job fair I went to the other day. My friend got accepted into the residency program with them! She's so excited. :)

Thanks for the tips. I'm definitely hoping I make a good impression at Baptist on Tuesday. I love the Saint Thomas hospitals values, and have been trying to get on at one of their hospitals since I started nursing school! Fingers crossed it goes well at the career fair!

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I know this thread is old, but where did you hear about the career fair? I have been looking for career fairs in Nashville and I can't find any. Maybe they just don't have any this time of year. Did you find it on their web site? Thanks! Oh and I guess I sould add that I have my BSN but havn't taken the NCLEX yet.

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It was on their websites. It was for St Thomas (Baptist at the time). The VA hospital had one but it wasn't listed on their website. I had applied for a few positions there & the recruiter sent me an email telling me about it.

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Thanks! That is very helpful! :-)

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:)

If you can't find any job fairs & are looking for a job, don't forget to check state jobs (Google "TN state jobs" & it'll pop up). I started out at the state mental health facility right after I got licensed. They definitely hire New grads!

And also, once you have your license, check out the VA (http://www.usajobs.gov). That's where I'm at now & they are great. The orientation class before mine had 12 New grads in it & I'm still considered New grad, so I know they hire "our kind" too. Lol.

Good luck in the job hunt! It may take awhile, so try not to get frustrated or down about it. You'll find something soon! :)

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