New RN on the first job hunt

[mstone88]

I'm traveling to St. George, Utah for 2 days to submit my application in person everywhere I can. I've submitted/applied to jobs on the main hospital website but I will also stop in there to "say hi". I'm planning to relocate there as soon as I can get a job. This will be my first job as a new nurse so I know my inexperience is a disadvantage and I need to really make a good impression.

I've got myself a perfect little interviewing suit (the black skirt, blazer, short heels) but I don't know if I should wear that to drop off applications, or if I should just wear something nice. It's my ONLY interviewing suit, so keep in mind that if I wear it to apply, I will be wearing it again for the interview. St. George is HOT so I have lots of maxi dresses that I WANT to wear but I realize that might be too cutsie. I could wear dark jeans and a nice blouse and some good heels as well. eek. I'm a stresser and I need some guidance. :)

Also, I'm a little unsure about cover letters. I've been using them for online applications, editing them to target each position. Do I include a cover letter when applying for jobs in person? I WANT you to say no... because I hate them. And I dread the idea of making up 20 individualized cover letters. I have a list of places I am going to apply to, but I imagine there will be places I come across that I will want to stop in and apply.

Any advice is very appreciated.

[manda0931]

When I stopped by the hospital to say hello, I gave them my cover letter, resume and a letter of recommendation that I had. Sure, they might not look at your cover letter but I think it's better to have one even if they don't want to read it than to not have one and they want to see it. Anything you can do to prepare and make yourself stand out is just another plus in your favor.

Is there anyway that you can have sort of a generalized cover letter? I mean I know it can't be the same for every single place but only change a few sentences here and there to correlate with the place that you dropped it off at.

And as far as what you wear I wore the same pants to drop by and say hello as I did in the interview but made sure to wear a different shirt. I think you should be prepared to interview on the day you drop by the hospital so you should be prepared dress wise.

And btw, I got the job where I stopped in to say hello and physically handed them my information. Good luck!

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

I don't have any nursing interview advice to give, ok maybe one... be yourself!

I live in St. George and I start Dixie State's nursing school next month. It is a great place to live!