Russianred, BSN

^ Haha I was the only guy too at the graduation lineup.. Amongst 16 girls, legittt!

In all honesty, the best way to get a job is to be in people's face. Go to your local areas of interest, drop of resume's, set up appointments, follow-up yourself, don't wait for responses, and literally bust your way through. It works. What doesn't work is web-sites offering tons of jobs.. They are all an evaluation of general demand and very depersonalized, not to mention the fact that they are up for months at a time, so when the applicant pool is filled they choose the one THEY THINK is best, just judging by paper.. and no prior face:face contact or even a phone conversation.

Good call. I just got a job at pediatric practice. My first interview since graduating, I also sent a thank you card that SAME day. No issues! HR tomorrow, PHysical Friday, Orientation Tueday :). So I would say that a thank you card is pretty important for a good impression!

To specify even further, you can add their department, then their name underneath such as: ATTN: Healing Hope Hospital Intensive Care Unit Joe Nurse 123 Medical Way Woundsworth, XX 12345

It just depends on the person sending, and people receiving and how much they value doing it. Any combination can yield any results. Everyone has had success with different methods.

Yeah, I'm in a similar boat.. Been trying to get a position at a local Medical Partnership, at a pediatric clinic. I hope it goes through! I submitted online app, called and informed them that fax was coming in, faxed all the info I already submitted online, except I also was able to attach 3 crucial reference letters this way, and called and left message following up to confirm receipt of fax. I got voicemail the whole time, no one actually answered me, but I'm hoping HR gets back to me. I KNOW they got my information, but getting back to me even to CONFIRM seems to be a huge deal. We'll see what happens!

Campy, the thing is that even though a lot of us know how broad the nursing field is and may not want to start in JUST a hospital setting - the alternative employers outside of a hospital setting usually create barriers to newer nurses by stating that minimum experience is required. It's a difficult lose-lose situation, unless you can find that small spec of WIN and snag it as quick as possible.

^ Good question, who do you send the thank you card to? I'm assuming the exact person who interviewed you? That would only make sense.

I would not worry about it being overkill. You are just showing your appreciation and making sure it gets across. If they see appreciation from you twice then you will stick in their mind twice. Do not doubt yourself and others won't either. :)

Thanks again!

Male nurse right here - just took and passed the NCLEX today! Another one to the profession... :) - Nikita

Took the NCLEX today at 10am, after 90 questions and about an hour and a half - it shut off. I knew this was a good sign. I tried the registration trick, got the good popup, and now i can finally relax and celebrate Soooo happy! With adequate preparation, it was no where as hard as I thought it would be. Like many of you, I couldn't sleep the night before. For me though, it wasn't because I was nervous, it was because I couldn't stop my mind from thinking and anticipating. My nerves kept cool but I could not shut my brain off. Time to rejoice - Nikita

Congrats on passing and thank you for these helpful pointers! I take mine tomorrow at 10am :) Reviewing that study guide now, amazing compilation!

Congrats! I take mine tomorrow

Definitely apply to others as well.. You don't want to be left with nothing in case something doesn't go through. Always have multiple backup plans!