Not "qualified"

[what2donow]

What does everyone think about applying for a position when you don't meet the qualifications stated in the posting? (I.E., "2 years of labor and delivery experience required", when you in fact have none but are just dying to get into it? Thanks.

[bmcm2girls]

You can always TRY, I just don't know if I would hold my breath. I guess it all depends on the hospital and their needs/resources. I know that at my hospital, if they had a position open for an experienced LD nurse, and someone without experience applied, the app wouldn't even make it past HR. This is mostly b/c my hospital has specific openings from time to time for either a new grad to train in LD or a nurse with experience outside of LD to retrain. They have a pretty intense training program so they have to plan the ability to have the resources available for training. They would probably look at someone with 1 yr LD experience even if the requirement was 2 just b/c the availablility of experienced LD nurses is so slim. But def not at no experience. Of course, if you send the app, while they might not (depending) even put it up for consideration, maybe they could give you some direction/insight into if/when they plan on offering positions to those with no experience. Good luck to you!

[mlok]

Just try.

I called a hospital about their new grad program and how I can apply. The Recruiter said they didn't have a specific section for applying so I needed to apply to any unit I had interest in. If my application was forwarded to the nurse manager, they would decide if they could take a new grad.

[HappyBunnyNurse]

It depends on the situation. It wouldn't hurt to try. You might want to contact the nurse manager personally (in case the application doesn't make it past HR). They may plan on hiring someone with experience but if weeks pass and no such person applies... Also maybe they will remember you later if an opportunity arises.

[HappyBunnyNurse]

It depends on the situation. It wouldn't hurt to try. You might want to contact the nurse manager personally (in case the application doesn't make it past HR). They may plan on hiring someone with experience but if weeks pass and no such person applies... Also maybe they will remember you later if an opportunity arises.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

never hurts to ask ... go for it !!! if they say "No " then so what.. at least you asked....

[PAERRN20]

I say go for it. I've done it twice and I didn't have any luck. That doesn't mean you won't though. Like the previous poster said they might not have anyone else apply for the job.

[justiceforjoy]

Tailor the resume to all other aspects of the job posting and use a skill-based resume instead of a chronological one. (google that sucker)

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

15 years ago, I applied for a position in labor and delivery that finally had been posted. The only experience I had was in CCU and the fact that I had a baby of my own. 6 months later I was called to interview. They took a chance on me. I am now the nurse manager of the unit. Why not try? It certainly cannot hurt.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

If it were a unit in my dream field and I felt that I had enough knowledge of it to try selling them on the inexperienced me...then yes, I'd apply and see what happens.

However, if I were applying to the job just for the sake of applying to the job...then no, I would pass on it--I'd just be wasting my time and theirs.

[caliotter3]

I had a friend who told me she applied (out of desperation) for a job in a pediatric setting one time. When she was asked about her lack of experience, she told them that she was the mother of four children and thought she could handle the job. They hired her. If she had not applied, knowing she had no peds experience, she never would have had a chance at the job. So, try.

[MissBrittanyRN]

I say if it's what you want to do, applying never hurts. If you don't have the experience that they prefer, try offering them other qualifications, such as obtaining NRP certification before you even apply - resume booster, right? The L&D floor that I was a tech on desired ACLS. AWHONN also offers an online course introducing you to fetal monitoring, that does not award certification at the end. They don't recommend the separate EFM certifications to nurses with less than 6mo experience reading strips, but at least you have initiated the training. At least that's my understanding, but I am an unemployed new grad, so of course you should do your research on their website :-) The worst that could happen is they decide not to offer you the position, but you have not actually lost anything. Good luck to you if you decide to apply.