Bella39841

Hi rn_yogi! I live in Southern California and graduated from an ADN program in December 2010. I studied for my boards while going through more schooling to complete my prerequisites to apply to an RN-BSN program at a Cal State university. While I was doing that, I passed my boards in March 2011. When I finished the 3 classes I needed to transfer into a BSN program I then started seriously looking for a job. I had been applying throughout the months to different hospitals, SNF's and anything health-related that I could get my hands on. Of course, I would apply on line and not follow up and would always get that dreaded email stating that I wasn't chosen for the position. I would go to Indeed.com on a daily basis and also put the hospitals I was interested on my Favorites and check their websites every day. Finally, when I finished my classes in June, I got really serious about finding a job. A fellow classmate and I put on our business suits, armed ourselves with copies of our resumes and our letters of recommendation. We went to the hospitals where we had done our student clinicals. We were directed to go to Human Resources and fill out an application. Of course, I had done countless applications with them already. Regardless, we went anyway, introduced ourselves to the Assistant Nurse Recruiter and told her how interested we were in working for their company. We were courteous, polite and humble. We showed our enthusiasm and let them know that we agreed with their mission statement and that we were hard-working, and committed to becoming the best nurse possible. We thanked them for their time and said we would follow up in a week. It didn't take that long. My friend got called for an interview 5 minutes later. She had worked there as a CNA previously. I got a call the next day. We both had panel interviews and we both got hired a few weeks later. We couldn't believe it. So my advice: GET OUT THERE!! Go to the hospital. Introduce yourself to the recruiters and nurse managers if you can go up to the floors. Be professional. Look professional. Be prepared to be interviewed. Have your resume and letter of recommendation on hand. Be persistent without being pushy and most of all BE HUMBLE. Don't complain that you haven't been able to find a job. Show that you are grateful that they are giving you their time. A positive attitude, showing that you are energetic and willing to put yourself out there will impress them. It's better than continuously filling out applications on line and hoping they call you back. If you go this route, don't forget to call them, or even better, show up at their Human Resources and find out the status of your application. Introduce yourself to them. Once they know you, it gets more personal. Granted, my friend and I had done clinicals there, but so had so many of our fellow classmates and they didn't get hired there after applying countless times. My friend was a CNA there and I have to admit that I had 3 letters of recommendation, that not only were my clinical instructors, but 2 were from actual employees that worked for this company. One of them even walked in at the end of my interview (I had called her to say I had an interview that day) and stayed talking with my now nurse manager and put in a very good word for me. I don't know. Maybe we got jobs there because we were there as students. Maybe because my friend was a CNA there for a few months. Maybe I got the job because of who I knew. But you know what? It's up to you to get out there and sell yourself until you get someone to listen to you and give you a chance. And just in case you thought it was just chance that I got hired. I don't know what else I did right, but I got offered a job at another hospital that had over 450 applicants, 30 were interviewed (10-person panel interview) and only 10 got offered employment. This was in a Versant program. I believe my essay made me attractive to them and then when I went to interview, I was confident, answered truthfully and showed lots of enthusiasm and told them I loved challenges. Unfortunately, I couldn't accept the job because I had accepted at the hospital I'm at now (which by the way I love and is 5 minutes away) and had already signed the contract. And, in the same week I got called in to interview at another hospital where I did clinicals at and had to turn it down as well. Maybe because I was there as a student? I don't know why they called me but I have a feeling it's because of my references and the good word from my preceptor that I had there my last semester of nursing school. So sorry if this post is long, but I wanted to give you my experience on how I landed, not 1 but 2 jobs in a hospital in SoCal and possibly even a 3rd job offer if I would have interviewed with the 3rd hospital as well. Look, I was an okay student. GPA maybe a 3.2. I'm an ADN graduate and never worked in a healthcare facility in my life apart from nursing clinicals. Well, I did do the LVN program right before RN school but never practiced as one because I went straight into RN school. I don't know what happened to get lucky. I'm just telling you what I did to try to land a job. And I did and them some. So my advice: GET YOUR BUTT OUT THERE AND SELL YOURSELF! SELL YOURSELF!! SELL YOURSELF!!!!! Good luck and NEVER, EVER GIVE UP!!! :redbeathe OH YEAH: I prayed A LOT to GOD to give me courage, strength, enthusiasm, and the ability to impress whomever I came across. I thank HIM for my success. Thank you, God! For never forgetting about me, ever!

Hi MissE. I walked into the HR at the hospital I wanted to work for. I dressed professionally and brought along my resumes and letters of recommendation. I introduced myself to the Assistant Recruiter, tried to sell myself as best as possible and the next day I got a call for an interview on the unit that I wanted. My friend, who also went with me, got a call to come in for an interview 10 minutes after we walked out! We both got hired and are now working. I guess it depends. We saw many positions being posted on their hospital website and decided to take a chance. It paid off. I guess we were there at the right time. I always thought that the best way to get a job was to walk into the hospital you wanted to work for, introduce yourself and let them get to know you. I was right. It doesn't hurt to go the extra mile and talk to them. They get so many applications daily, but being able to put a face to your resume really does help to make you stand out if you impress them. Be polite. Be humble. Don't complain that you have been looking for work with no results. Be positive. Smile! They are really into customer service and excellent communication skills. Volunteer at the hospital. It gets you noticed and you meet a lot of the people you will work with if you get hired. Don't give up! Good luck!

Got offered a position at Lakewood Regional but have to turn it down because another hospital offered me a position first. I hope this helps another new grad get the job they've been dreaming of. :heartbeat

Got offered a job at Lakewood Regional in their Med-Surg or Telemetry Depts. Too bad, I can't accept. I'm sure this will help somebody else get the opportunity and I'm happy about that. Thrilled for that person. NW, it would have been nice to have met you. We probably could have carpooled together. :redbeathe

I just saw that I have 2 missed calls from Lakewood Regional. I interviewed about 3 weeks ago. Wonder what it means? Called and left a message. Hmm..

Hmmm... I see that I have 2 missed calls from the HR dept at Lakewood Regional. Wonder what that means? Just left a message to see what it's all about.

You are correct NMW..!! A job is better than no job! I actually got hired at CVHP and the hospital I'm assigned to is literally down the street from my house so I'm so ecstatic. Today went well. The people are really friendly and seem to want you to succeed. Already got my schedule for the next 4 weeks. It's so exciting to finally say I'm a working RN! I am truly excited for you and hope that your journey is a great one. I'm praying for that as well for me and everyone else starting out. :heartbeat All I can say to everyone out there that's looking for a job is put yourself out there. Don't give up. Go to your favorite hospital. Dress professionally, be humble, and cause that great first impression with the recruiter or assistant recruiter. They are observing you, your eagerness, and your professionalism. You just might land an interview. Keep on trying and you will get far. Don't EVER, EVER give up. Good luck to everyone!!

That is awesome!! I'm so glad to hear you got the job!! It feels good, huh? I actually already accepted a position at another hospital closer to my home a few days after that interview. I just signed all my paperwork and had my physical done last week. I start tomorrow! Good luck to you at Lakeview! It is an invaluable opportunity. I wish, if they had offered me a position, that I lived closer, but the commute would have been a killer. Good luck to everyone else who is awaiting a decision!! :redbeathe

Hi everybody! It's been very quiet on this thread lately. I guess we're all just waiting to hear back from Lakewood's hiring team. The Versant program is such a good one and I hope everyone who interviewed gets good news soon. Good luck to all! :redpinkhe

So, I went on my interview today and it's true, there are literally 10 people there. They were extremely nice and made me feel really welcome. Some of them spoke and half didn't really. I don't know. I think I did well but what do I know what they're looking for. They asked me questions and I answered as best I could. Lasted about 40-45 minutes. 2 of them walked out with me and told me that I did really well. :yeah:We shall see. It really isn't that bad. They said I would either receive a phone call or a letter letting me know their decision by the end of the month. It seems like a really good place to work and the support system is awesome. Wish I knew sooner though, because I've been offered a position elsewhere that's literally 2 minutes away by car from my house, while this one is about 30-45 minutes away. Just have to pass the background check. Oh well. I'm leaving this in God's hands. Good luck to all that are interviewing! Relax and be yourself!

Citrus is a really good school, too. I loved the Mt. Sac program. It was tough and I learned a lot and made a lot of life-long friends. Many of the clinicals were challenging and I learned so much. Keep on going! I wish you luck and success. Just remember, it's a tough market out there. If you want to have a better chance of getting a job soon after graduation, make sure you secure letters of recommendation from your clinical instructors, get to know the nurse managers on the units you go to. Work your butt off as a student because they will notice you. Volunteer at the hospital you want to work. It looks good when you get that interview. :redbeathe

I got my ADN at Mount San Antonio College located in Walnut, CA. I've always planned to get my BSN and will start that program hopefully in January at Cal State Fullerton. I just applied to the school last week and already put in the separate application to their nursing department. My advice is try to get your BSN if possible. I think it doesn't hurt and it will definitely open up more doors as you progress in nursing. I guess it depends on where you live and what's available in your area. Many RN programs have long waiting lists and their programs are impacted because of that. Many aren't even accepting applications. Mt.Sac, my school, has closed off any more applicants from applying for at least 1 year. As for getting a job with an ADN, a lot of my classmates have gotten jobs. So, the key is to be persistent, don't give up, and be positive. You just have to weigh your options and choose what is best for you. If you can, try to get a position in the hospital you would like to work in as an RN. CNA, student nurse externships, patient transporter positions are always available. It helps when you graduate.

It's been tough. I graduated Dec 2010 and have filled out numerous applications. I took classes to get into a BSN program and plan to start in January. The best thing to do is get out there, put on a suit or dress, have copies of your resume and letters of recommendation and hit the hospitals you really want to work for. Let them get to know you. I was successful that way and am now awaiting for my background check to clear to get a formal offer from my local hospital 2 minutes down the street from me. Perseverance is key. Make sure your resume describes what you've done in the past that relates to the nursing position you are interested in. Get certifications: BLS, ACLS and PALS. I even got myself EKG certified. Anything helps. Good luck!

Thanks Nicole! Good luck to you, too! :heartbeat I'm just going to be myself and answer questions the best that I can. It is comforting to know that they are friendly. I've been to 2 interviews, including a panel interview, for another hospital chain, and everyone was very nice as well. I think many times, they are looking for personality, confidence, and chemistry with the people you will be working with. They want to know that you are a good "fit." :) I am really excited about the Versant program. It would also be an awesome opportunity! It is such a hard program to get into.

Actually, the lady said someone was going on vacation and that's why they were setting up interviews later on this month. From what I understood, there wont be interviews while this person is on vacation and then they'll pick up the interviews again. She didn't really give me much information. I do know that there were 10 people Cc'd on the follow-up email she sent me that will be attending the panel interview. Sheesh!! Good luck to everyone!