rskopek

Thanks for all the good insight. I guess I was just surprised to be limited in this way, but I guess from HR's point of view, it only makes sense to try and limit the hordes of applicants for each and every posting. Good to know...

So... I'm a new grad, recently licensed and am thus applying anywhere and everywhere. In one example at a large hospital in a decent sized metropolitan area, I've so far applied to about 6 positions ranging from Med-Surg, ER, Telemetry, etc., basically anything that I would happily accept that lists the opening as an RN I and doesn't say anything regarding experience. I tried to apply to a new opening today and got the following response: "According to our records you have exceeded the total number of applications allowed by this facility". The facility website specifically states under the faqs section: Q: I applied for one position but there are many similar ones posted. Do I have to apply for all that I am interested in? A: Yes, you will need to apply for all positions/areas you are interested in being considered for unless otherwise told. I had never heard of a limit so I just kept applying. So what do I do now? I'm questioning whether the shotgun approach was the best way. Has anyone seen anything similar at other facilities? In any case, I wanted to bring this up so that others may be aware of this potential when applying to multiple listing at a facility.

Just started the process myself... Hopefully it won't take too long.

Unfortunately, getting your ATT does not mean you're free and clear, though it is definitely a good sign, it's no guarantee. Best recommendation is to call your state BON and ask what you should expect given your background. They can never tell you with absolute certainty, but should be able to give you a reasonable expectation. You should expect a delay in getting your license at the least as the department reviews your background and makes a determination.

Having just graduated from nursing school myself, I've spent a considerable amount of time researching the lost art of resume writing here on allnurses.com and elsewhere. I have a few thoughts from lessons I've learned while putting my resume together just this last week. You'll find my own post looking for a resume critique here on this forum. GPA - I've read somewhere, not sure if it was here on the forum or not, that unless it's a 4.0, not to list it. I think this can be a personal preference however as your GPA is sufficiently high. Something to think about, at least look into. Clinical Experience - You'll find numerous threads on this post regarding the inclusion of clinical experience in the new grad resume. I'm a follower of the camp that believes it is unnecessary as all new grads have similar clinical experience for the most part. Yes, some employers want to see it and the best advice I received was to have it on a separate page, complete with specific details such as hospital size, unit, hours completed, etc. Now if something you did in clinical was unique in any way or sets you apart, by all means include it. Simply listing your clinical experience does little to set you apart from other new grads however. Skills - You skills section looks great. Work Experience - Your recent work experience has little related to the healthcare field (understandable for a new grad) and is taking up valuable resume real estate higher up on the page. I would consider swapping positions with your organization and volunteer experience. Organization and Volunteer Experience - Again, I would move this higher up as this can possibly be the highlight of your resume and set you apart from other applicants. Consider expanding on your roles in these positions and include what you accomplished, learned, or skills utilized, etc. Goals - Not exactly sure about this section, as I haven't encountered it in my resume research. In my personal opinion it is unnecessary, as it's much more important to show what you have accomplished rather than a list of things you hope or expect to accomplish. Just my thoughts, do some research on this area and make your own determination as to whether it is really necessary. You're off to a great start! Other things to consider would be to open with a professional profile, which kind of takes the place of your current skills section, but highlights these strong points at the top of your resume along with a statement. You'll find some great examples here on allnurses.com. I believe it is a big improvement over the more traditional and outdated "objective statement". Continue to hone and revise your resume, and utilize allnurses.com as there certainly is a wealth of information here. Best of luck with your resume and new career!

I wish you all the best Deuceswild1. I became an EMT in 2009 with the goal of becoming a firefighter as a second career as I was under 30 at the time. My plan was to get my experience as an EMT, become a volunteer with the fire service, go to medic school, and get into a fire department here in California. As I got into the field and met and talked to others with similar goals and direction, I quickly discovered the potential challenges with that path. For one, in California, the fire department is extremely, highly competitive. I heard plenty of stories about individuals that did everything right, became medics, paid $1000's for fire science courses and academies, yet were never picked up by a department. Many end up as medics on a private ambulance making $16/hr. after a decade of dedication or so with limited options for advancement. Anything is possible, yet I didn't like the idea of gambling with my career and livelihood. At the time, I thought I had everything going for me, I knew the fire chief for a large department, I had friends that were firefighters and an uncle that was retired and well-known with the Orange County department. Turns out none of this could even help me become a volunteer with a major department, as even that level was highly competitive at the time with individuals showing up with AA degrees in fire science and multiple fire academy certificates and experience. At the same time I was working nights as an EMT on an ambulance and was in and out of emergency rooms. I truly had no real idea of what nursing was all about until I was in that environment. There, I truly discovered nursing for the first time. Perhaps I was also somewhat ignorant prior to this as well, as I never really considered nursing as a male career, never having spent much time in a hospital, but there in the ER in some locations half of the nurses were male. It was then that I truly considered nursing as a viable career. Researching the profession, I saw nursing as a definite career path. You get the education and credentials, you get the job. It was a sure thing with no great risk of not making it due to outside factors or luck or whatever. Not to mention the pay in most areas is great, it is also a career that like the fire department delivers a lot of personal satisfaction, and also offers a lot of flexibility in scheduling as well as mobility. What's not to like? In any case, I just graduated with my BSN about 2 weeks ago and passed the NCLEX last week, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. Now to find a job... I hope my experience gives you some insight in choosing your path. Best of luck in determining you future!

Thanks for the response smurfynurse. I have been debating whether to add in my clinical experience information. Reading the various posts here on allnurses.com, I figured I'd start by leaving it out as my goal was to keep it under one page. Many posters here said that as a new grad, we of course have similar clinical experience overall, and HR directors know that. Also, I am working on being licensed in multiple states to expand potential job opportunities, so listing specific hospitals may mean little to HR from outside areas. Now, if anything I did in clinical is directly applicable to the job I apply for or stands out, I will certainly include it. For example, I completed my senior practicum in the ER, and so if I was applying for an ER position, I would be sure to add that in there highlighting accomplishments such as proficiency and independence at starting IV's, foley catheters, and NG tubes. I figure i'll start with my generic resume and go from there, having my basic as well as specific and targeted resumes to apply to various positions. As a new grad, I unfortunately can't expect to land my dream job in the ER, and will be applying in all areas of acute care.

[TABLE=class: MsoTableGrid] [TR] [TD=colspan: 3] Get out your red correcting pens! I would appreciate any assistance in critiquing my current resume. Formatting is a bit off from cutting and pasting over to the site. Concerns I have are with my "Professional Profile", whether listing the 4.0 GPA here is appropriate, or whether it comes across as pompous. Other questionable areas are "Professional Memberships", as my goal by including it is to show I am very dedicated to the profession, or perhaps its too extraneous. As I am a new grad, I don't have a lot of relevant work experience. I included my relevant work experience, and then basically listed some of my previous employment without much detail. The goal I had was to keep my resume to one page. Your thoughts? New Grad, RN[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] 1234 Street Name Somewhere, US 55555 [/TD] [TD=width: 266] (555) 555-5555 [/TD] [TD=width: 266] [email protected] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=class: TableGrid1] [TR] [TD=colspan: 3] Professional Profile[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=colspan: 3] Motivated registered nurse (RN) with 4.0 GPA in BSN program. Excelled in clinical rotations demonstrating professional, compassionate, and patient-driven care. Key strengths include: ▪ Dedication to personal advancement by expanding clinical skills and knowledge ▪ Extensive experience working within ethnically and culturally diverse groups ▪ Demonstrated leadership in various roles ▪ Positive, team-oriented approach and attitude ▪ Background interests in a broad array of content areas[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 799, colspan: 3] Education, Certifications, and Affiliations[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 799, colspan: 3] BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Private University, Somewhere, US. Month, 2012[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 799, colspan: 3] BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS State University, Somewhere, US. December, 2004[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 400] Licenses and Certifications ▪ Registered Nurse ▪ ACLS/PALS Certified[/TD] [TD=width: 400, colspan: 2] ▪ EMT-B (########) ▪ BLS Certified[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 799, colspan: 3] Affiliations ▪ Big Brothers Big Sisters - Volunteer Big Brother (2007 - 2011) ▪ Somewhere Rotary Club - Director of Community Service (2008 - 2011)[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 799, colspan: 3] Professional Memberships ▪ American Nursing Association (ANA) ▪ National Student Nurse Association (NSNA) ▪ Emergency Nursing Association (ENA)[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 670, colspan: 2] Related Work Experience[/TD] [TD=width: 130][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 799, colspan: 3] Ambulance Company (2009 - 2010) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) ▪ Responded to emergency and inter-facility transport requests, performing complete medical and psychological assessments and administering appropriate interventions under BLS protocols. ▪ Conducted CCT level patient transport assisting RN with setup of various medical equipment including EKG, pulse oximetry and ventilation in high acuity patients.[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 670, colspan: 2] Other Work Experience[/TD] [TD=width: 130][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 799, colspan: 3] Financial Corporation, Inc. Somewhere, US Financial Advisor (2008 - 2009) Home Developer. Somewhere, US Sales Consultant (2004 - 2007)[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 799, colspan: 3] National Restaurant Chain. Somewhere, US Restaurant Server (1999 - 2004)[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]