Nurse Recruiters Avoiding/Lying to New Grads

linRdsNay · May 7, 2010

on the bright side...there are 22 new grad positions you can apply to :)

i feel your pain, my story is very similar to yours. it sucks; theres no other way to describe it.

redraccoon, BSN, RN · May 7, 2010

On the recruiters side... A good friend is a NR at a busy hospital - and I can tell you, her schedule is PACKED. The office probably has fifty people a day walk in. There is no way she can show them immediate attention, much less interview people who just drop by.

If there are some unit managers who are truly interested in you, call them back. Let them know you have filled out the online application (in full) and ask when they might be able to review your file. And don't be afraid to ask what you can do to make it easier for them to hire you.

In some places its a very tight market. Managers are being stretched more and more - and sometimes they just don't have the time to review applications the way they should.

Be proactive by calling and/or emailing. But don't just drop in unless you have an appointment.

And just another thing to consider .... you may need to reword your resume to better reflect your Nursing potential with less attention to the tech experience. You're a New NURSE - not an experienced Tech.

symplicatedRN · May 7, 2010

linRdsNay, you ARE an optimist. I was very happy to see all those shiny new positions, but I guess I let my anger for being lied to get in the way. Thanks for putting some perspective to it, and I hope you find a job soon!!

redraccoon, that was actually very helpful advice.

Believe me, I know those poor recruiters have their work cut out for them, and it's not their fault that the market is poor right now, but to be lied to about open positions is just as frustrating for those of us who are full-time job hunting. Those applications take a lot of time to fill out, and I hear half the time, the position is already filled by the time it makes it to the internet.

Everytime I call, I get a voicemail or I'm told that the status of applications cannot be discussed over the phone because of the sheer volume of inquiries they get. Emails don't get responses. I came into the hospital because I felt like a needle in a haystack online. I told managers that I'd applied online, and they actually approved of my resume. The only reason I walked in to HR unannounced was because the nurse managers that expressed an interest told me that was my next step. I wasn't aware until today that appointments could be made with NR's without a job interview, and I'm still not quite sure how to go about doing this since they never answer the phone and are so highly protected by the receptionists.

I actually have made a list of NM's I need to follow up with tomorrow, and I'd love to make it easier for them to hire me, but I keep hitting that HR roadblock, and just can't figure out how to penetrate it.

Finally, I think my resume is as RN-looking as it can get without any RN experience. I've included my 5 years of hospital experience, clinical rotations and practicum, RN skillsets I'm comfortable with, my education and licenses, and a statement of the position I'm trying to obtain. I've even gotten several compliments on my resume from nurse managers, and teachers (making an RN resume was an assignment in Nursing School final semester). I'm almost positive it's not my resume, but is there anything else you can suggest that should be on there?

*sigh* All we heard throughout nursing school was "nursing shortage" and for some of us, the journey to finish was long and hard!!! Now I can't even get hired as a tech so I'm working at the Limited in the mall and getting more depressed by the day. I really appreciated the people who took time to talk to me today, and I probably sound like an ungrateful whiny girl, but I am just so frustrated that after all of my hard work, I'm at standstill!

SFBayAreaRN · May 7, 2010

i can relate to your experience on so many levels, and it is very frustrating. i commend you for taking the initiative to introduce yourself to the nurse managers, and i'm glad that you've received such a positive response!

one piece of advice that i’ve received is to be persistent, persistent, persistent, so don’t give up on the nurse recruiter just yet. you almost have to be borderline annoying to get noticed these days. have you tried making an appointment with the hr rep? if they like you they might speak to the nr on your behalf, which may incline the nr to finally meet you. just a thought.

i would like to ask you about the feedback you’ve received on your resume. what specifically makes your resume stand out? i only ask because i’m considering paying for a professional to re-write mine because it lacks some “oomph”.

i wish you the best of luck, and please keep us updated! wow, 22 new grad positions, that is unheard of in san francisco. i consider 13 spots to be a “large” new grad program.

symplicatedRN · May 7, 2010

.....

symplicatedRN · May 7, 2010

sfbayarearn, do keep your head up! we have to support each other.

can you tell me what the difference is between the hr rep and the nr? everytime i go to hr, i deal with one of two people: the person at the front desk, or the nr (who also do the interviews). maybe i can try that angle tho, but i need some more information.

my resume is very simple, modern, and clean-looking. i always use laser printers at kinkos on high-quality paper, and i've worded it according to the many examples/advice i've found on websites such as the johns hopkins' site. i'd love to post a link to it, however its not advisable to post identifying info. my name, number, and email are listed in a strip that runs vertically down the side of the main resume body. here is a text example of the layout i used coupled with some strategic coloring and clean fonts:

your name, rn | 222.001.4477 | [email protected]

qualifications summary

[color=dimgray]* objective

[color=dimgray] i'm an enthusiastic professional who is calm under pressure, a quick learner, and gets a great deal of satisfaction from helping my patients achieve their physical and mental goals. i crave knowledge and desire to excel in everything i do. this is not just a career for me, this is a passion!

[color=dimgray]* clinical and practical skills

-[color=dimgray] strong communication, creative thinking, and leadership skills.

-[color=dimgray] superior organizational and time management skills.

-[color=dimgray] ensures accuracy and patient confidentiality.

-[color=dimgray] proficient with electronic medical records, ekg monitors, and microsoft office.

credentials

* registered nurse license, state of maryland - [color=dimgray] february 2010

* basic life support -[color=dimgray] march 2010

* ekg certification -[color=dimgray] june 2006 (refreshed june 2009)

education

* florida state university -[color=dimgray] tallahassee, fl

-[color=dimgray] bachelors of nursing distance program |[color=dimgray] january 2008 - december 2009

-[color=dimgray] associates of science |[color=dimgray] january 2006 - december 2008

professional experience

* st. john's hospital -[color=dimgray] tallahassee, fl

-[color=dimgray] nurse tech |[color=dimgray] renal transplant unit |[color=dimgray] may 2008 - december 2009

-[color=dimgray] senior nurse tech |[color=dimgray] congestive heart failure |[color=dimgray] june 2009 - august 2009

-[color=dimgray] clinical rotation |[color=dimgray] multiple units |[color=dimgray] january 2008 - june 2009

-[color=dimgray] practicum |[color=dimgray] neurosurgical pcu |[color=dimgray] june 2009 - august 2009

-[color=dimgray] ekg monitor tech |[color=dimgray] multisystem pcu |[color=dimgray] july 2006 - april 2008

-[color=dimgray] department of transportation |[color=dimgray] november 2005 - july 2006

community service

* healthy heart presentation -[color=dimgray] florida state university

educated students on the risks to cardiovascular health, offered free blood pressure screening, and provided printed materials and a visual presentation.

* postpartum depression education -[color=dimgray] beta center

educated pregnant girls ages 13-17 on the potential stressors following pregnancy. provided a visual presentation, and printed materials.

* skin cancer prevention education -[color=dimgray] st. john's hospital

educated patients on ways to protect skin from malignancies.

* sexual health and hygiene education -[color=dimgray] regina gamble project

assisted rn-led education on sexual health and hygiene topics. aided in the organization and running of the event. answered questions and offered resources for further information.

references available upon request.

rchembunny · May 7, 2010

"Be proactive by calling and/or emailing. But don't just drop in unless you have an appointment."
Hi redraccoon,
I was wondering if you meant not to drop by the nurse manager's office after having made contact with him/her or is it important to make an appointment for the first contact?
If making an appointment for the first meeting (as opposed to a walk-in introduction), how/where do we get the contact information to make that first appointment?
Thanks

RNTutor, BSN, RN · May 7, 2010

Another idea is to keep talking with the nurse manager where you want to work. At some hospitals, they can sort of 'push' the nurse recruiter to hurry your application along if they are interested in you. And they might have more influence than you do.

Or you could always apply for the job of nurse recruiter :bugeyes:

LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN · May 7, 2010

I know it's hard but stay positive...I thought I would lose my mind, also it's very depressing when you can't even get a job as a RN. I was in the same position as you. I grad in Dec09, passed boards in Feb2010. I applied to so many positions that I can't begin to count them all... I got a brake in March 2010 at a SNF/LTC parttime pos. charge nurse on nights... alot of work but I am gratefull at the same time. Also, I got another offer to start a Nurse Residency Program fulltime starting the end of May 2010. I am sooo grateful about it as well. Just keep trying, and trying until you get the position and you will get it:).... The economy is so rough now.... I will be praying for you that you get something soon.

symplicatedRN · May 7, 2010

Bariq Congrats! I didn't know they hired new grads into charge nurse positions. I thought there was at least a year or two of experience required. That's awesome. I was called by a SNF 4 days before I took my boards and they couldn't take me on until after I passed. Now I can't get a hold of them. I also interviewed for an ICU position at Johns Hopkins, but I was told I didn't have enough experience (even though it was a grad nurse position). Your prayers are much appreciated.

RNTutor yes, that is how I got all of my jobs for the past 5 years. Today though, I just got a call back from a NR who reprimanded me for going over her head. She said it is inappropriate to speak to Nurse Managers, and that I need to go thru HR. It was really weird that she was so angry, but I guess she felt guilty because she had told me there were no jobs and then I went to a unit and found one. Oh well. I apologized for stepping on her toes, but at the end of the day, she has a job! My main concern is for my situation. I actually though about applying for a NR job, but that wouldn't be right... I'd just use it to get myself an RN job and then quit! LOL.

Equus419 · May 7, 2010

just as an 'for what its worth' from a manager level person ...

At our hospital we CANNOT (not allowed) accept an application from anyone for anything unless there is a posted opening. Openings must go thru HR & Finance unless they are a 're-fill' - add to that we are a union hospital so EVERYONE else (internal) gets the option at the position before a new-hire can even be considered.

Also - in our area, midwest, there are so many cutbacks that there are TONS of very experienced nurses applying for ANY position. It makes it hard to justify the long orientation of a new grad when you have a 'ready made' staff person in front of you.

It is getting better though and I wish you the best of luck!