New grad

Guests · Jun 11, 2014

Personal connections... network like a crazy wo/man.

ccnurse2014 · Jun 11, 2014

Personal connections... network like a crazy wo/man.

Thanks! I have been talking to some of the ER nurses that I worked closely with in the externship. One even said she would put in a good word for me!

guest744967 · Jun 11, 2014

Hey I just landed a job in my ER as well coming from a transfer. I literally took the time to visit the ER on my lunchbreaks. I networked like crazy as (music in my heart mentioned) lol I joined the ENA which is awesome for CE's! I introduced myself to the manager by email told her my past and interests pertaining ER. She wanted to interview me so I waited for an opening and tadaaaa. Landed it. It was rare for me because im kinda new but I was willing to show them. I will fight to hit my dream there. So connections is big but do some studying outside. As in look at some extra certs you can take..join the ENA..checkout onlineaha for some courses like ekg. Even if you don't land it it is great to join another unit and gain some start experience!

Guests · Jun 12, 2014

I landed my first ED gig (from the floor) in a similar fashion as described by ERLaw14...

I would hang out down there during my breaks or prior to my shifts. I'd offer to help with simple things like bedpans and refreshments... over time, they started asking me to help out a little more. I'd ask questions and chat people up. Meanwhile, I worked as hard as I could on my floor... tried to manifest a great attitude to everybody... and looked for every opportunity to learn... also made my flexibility well-known... willing to trade shifts, pick up extras with no notice, stay over as needed, etc.

In order to facilitate some personnel changes, they asked me to change shifts... and to throw me a bone, they offered up some orientation to the ED... to be a back up... I only oriented a couple of shifts and the changes were canceled... as was my orientation... but I'd at least gotten my foot in the door.

A couple months later, there was a resignation from the ED and the boss approached me and offered me the gig.

While this was underway, there were a couple of other people angling for the job.

Why did I get it? By being proactive and sacrificial... and striving to get along with everybody I encountered.

ccnurse2014 · Jun 13, 2014

Thank you guys so much! I talked to a couple of the nurses down in the ER while I was externing there today. The manager was also there, but she is super hard to catch, and I couldn't seem to muster up the courage. I want this job super bad, but I'm nervous to talk to the manager about the position in person!