Have worked as a tech for 2 years, and an EKG tech for 2 years, but now am "overqualified".
100 apps/ week since then.
0 callbacks.
CURRENT SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION (as if I need another):
I went to several hospitals to introduce myself to the HR staff and some nurse managers. The managers were all friendly, willing to interview, and not at all concerned by the fact that I have no experience, but they all said I need to check with HR for new grad slots.
I check with HR's at all the hospitals, and I get one of two reactions: 1.) "Oh I'll CHECK to see if a recruiter is AVAILABLE" . . . followed by hushed whispers in the nearby office . . . followed by "Sorry, she isn't accepting any walk-ins right now." 2) Nurse recruiter comes out looking frustrated or rushed and says. "I literally have 2 min I can talk to you. Sorry, there are no open slots for new grads. You JUST missed it. Don't give up, I know its frustrating. Yadi-yadi-ya."
I get home tonight and check the website for one of the hospitals that told me there are no more positions. THERE ARE TWENTY-TWO NEW GRAD POSITIONS THAT WEREN'T THERE YESTERDAY.
WWWWW TTTTTT FFFFFFFF!!!!!!
AFTERWORD:
There is no reason for after nearly 6 months of searching at 100+ apps a week AND plenty of hospital experience AND having a license should I not have an interview, especially when everytime I make direct contact with a Nurse Manager, then are impressed with my resume and have a need for me on staff.
Do any of you feel the Nurse Recruiters are botching the job?
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.
I think you're probably right that she's feeling guilty...I don't think there's anything wrong with going to the nurse manager. In fact, it really makes the NR's job easier because the manager already likes a candidate (although many hospitals still require a certain number of interviews). But at least the NR knows that the position is likely to be filled.
But good for you for not letting your ego get in the way, and just apologizing, even if you shouldn't have needed to...that's definitely better in the long run!
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.
Hi Symplicated... O was thinking the same thing... I had no idea that I was going to be Charge Nurse unitl when I oriented with another Night nurse... I thought you had to have more experience.. oh well. anyway LTC is alot of work though, my hat goes off to every nurse working in LTC... they work extremely hard with a huge amount of paperwork. Although, I am grateful for the position, I am not giving up hope of getting into a Perioperative Program/OR it's my dream job...:) I am hoping that Philly hosp will open up some positions soon and choose me to interview for it. Anyway.. Keep in touch... Good Luck on your job search ok..:)
Symplicated, what state/city are you sending all your applications to? Maybe you should also try the rural areas and other states. I graduated at the same time you did! I am in the same position as you and I feel your stressed and pain. Hang in there, I wish you the best! This economy is just so difficult and we graduated at a bad time.
You mentioned working during nursing school as an EKG tech - is it possible to apply to your own unit, having a foot in the door already? It is not always the most appealing if you had another specialty in mind, but in this market that is what I plan to do. I am a PCT and EKG tech in the hospital, and I have worked my hiny off for the last 18 months for them, and have 10 months of school left. Upon graduation, prior to NCLEX, we can apply as an RNA (RN applicant), contingent upon passing the boards. Right now my unit knows without a doubt that I am a hard worker, dependable employee and that I already get along with my coworkers. I have seen previous PCT's successfully follow this scenario. Here's wishing you the best!!!
Yes, I have worked at Florida Hospital for 5 years, however I moved to Maryland to take my boards (stupidly leaving behind two grad nurse offers). I had NOOO idea it would be this difficult to find a position or I would've just stayed in Florida and taken my pick of the offers. Hindsight is 20/20, but I cannot afford to move back there, and so I'm just trying to make a breakthrough here.
Donnuh
I've been applying in NYC, MD, DC, and northern VA.
Is that your resume that you posted? If so I would like to offer a few suggestions if I may, please don't be offended, but I worked for many years in an employment agency. First on your objectives, it needs to be less over the top so to speak, lose the !, you need to sound more grounded. You are also using a lot of fluff words in the next section, keep it clean and to the point. Remember you are trying to show what you have to offer them, never use "I" or first person in a resume, keep that for the cover letter. In your list of qualifications it looks like you have a lot of dates. These are clinicals? Try leading the reader to where you want them to go in a shorter sentence short and sweet with just your skills. Do you have any local career centers, or employment agencies that are state run, they are great places to revamp a resume. Are you willing to relocate? What about extended care facilities, are there any near you? Also in your cover letter try to use a name and recall an event. Such as: Dear Ms. Smith, As per our telephone conversation yesterday, I am enclosing a copy of my resume. With cover letters they should have the fluffy stuff about yourself, about three paragraphs, 1 paragraph state : introduce yourself, 2nd tell how hiring you will be an asset to them and state what you want : such as: working at your hospital as a new nurse on a med/surg unit would allow me to improve my skills, while maintaining the high standards of professionalism I set for myself. Or something like that sell yourself while complmenting the hospital maybe: working with your professional staff will improve my skills while I maintian high standards of customer care based on holistic nursing. You use good fluff words so I am sure you can come up with something. the 3rd paragraph you need to ask for what you want: I would like the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in person next Tuesday at one.
Then thank them and follow up with a phone call in one week if you haven't heard anything.
Don't just apply to places you want to work. It might be that you have to take something you don't want for a while.
And remember all this interviewing can be trying on your stress level, and you could be coming across that way to the NR. So try doing somethng relaxing before you interview and reheorifice your questions so they sound spontaneous but professional, find a mentor to practice with maybe.
I hope this helped, hang in there we all are feeling the effects of this economy on the job market.
There was something that you said that confused me a little bit:
In your list of qualifications it looks like you have a lot of dates. These are clinicals? Try leading the reader to where you want them to go in a shorter sentence short and sweet with just your skills.
My list of qualifications didn't have any dates. The only sections that have dates are my education and my professional experience (clinicals, practicum, and hospital experience). Most of my sentences are fragments already with the exception of that opening objective and community service descriptions. Should I tweak something specific a little more.
Thanks so much for your advice, it is much appreciated!
I guess what I meant to say was that your resume has a lot of dates on it and seems a bit confusing. This may look like you can't stay in one place for very long and that might be a red flag to a NR. I would loose the dates on your credentials, infact I would probably loose that whole part or put it at the bottom above the references. I would keep it short as well like: current BLS and (what ever other cert. you have.)don't put the dates. Add the RN Degree with your education and that can be where you put your dates. It is your clinical experience that is important. On the part with all the Nurse Tech stuff it is repetitive. You have done a lot of teaching (sign of a good nurse,by the way). I would clean that up to be something like : taught students about various health related subjects while working as a nurse tech on the whatever unit or hospital your were at. You then have made the NR want to ask you what you taught, and that is the idea, you want to make them look forward to meeting you. Give just enough infro to make them ask a question about who you are.
.thumb.jpg.12fb1570424f13aa6f88b9e5f8d96d39.jpg){kind=small}
RNTutor, BSN, RN
303 Posts
I think you're probably right that she's feeling guilty...I don't think there's anything wrong with going to the nurse manager. In fact, it really makes the NR's job easier because the manager already likes a candidate (although many hospitals still require a certain number of interviews). But at least the NR knows that the position is likely to be filled.
But good for you for not letting your ego get in the way, and just apologizing, even if you shouldn't have needed to...that's definitely better in the long run!