Question for Nurse Managers

[WindRN]

Do NM's really want applicants to show up on their unit in person with their resume in hand? I recently had a NM say he gave special consideration to those applicants who went out of their way to meet him. I thought this might be rude. Is this what NM's want? I'm willing to do it if it will help me in my job search.

Thanks for your help.:)

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Mine likes it. He always makes a big deal out of it and usually gives them an interview. Good luck!

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

If they're not hiring much anyway, what could it hurt? :)

[WindRN]

Tokmom and Xtxrn,

Thank you for your replies. It makes sense, just a little awkward. But heck, I'll do it! Thanks again.

[yuzzamatuzz]

I agree with the above posters, it definitely couldn't hurt. I personally never did that, I just called nurse managers/recruiters and got a job from doing that. I never heard anything back from the places that I just simply submitted an application online. I think the more aggressive you are, the better. Good luck :)

[WindRN]

Yuzamatuzz, I guess I'm too old school. I need to rethink my strategy. Thanks for your help.:)

[Jolie, BSN]

A different perspective here, maybe because of my clinical area:

I managed a NICU and while I enjoyed "mentoring" job hunters, I would not have been pleased to have someone show up unannounced on the unit.

In OB, it is a security issue. There is also the possibility that a candidate's visit may be ill timed, with the person arriving in the middle of a scheduled meeting or even just a bad day.

While bad days are not planned, if I know someone is coming to chat, I can call and reschedule. Lunch is a good time to visit.

So my advice would be to e-mail and request an informational meeting. Come prepared with questions about the unit, how to apply, how to improve one's odds of being interviewed. Send a thank-you note and check back in periodically.

[linsmirn]

I recently saw a job posting for my dream position and called and got an interview. Most job postings only tell you to apply on-line or fax in your resume, but whenever you see a phone number its best to call them. They like to see someone taking charge and not being afraid of the phone. I called and explained how I had no experience being a new grad but it was the area I wated to specialize in and he was like he likes how motivated I sounded and to come in for a interview. CALL THEM.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

It's all going to depend on the place and the manager. If it's a busy unit and lots of patients and someone just shows up I would be inclined to think the person has protocol issues (how the heck did they get past HR?). In many places you can't get past certain check points without an appt. I tried this strategy many years ago and met with stern opposition regarding "Just showing up" ... I'm not saying don't do it but be careful. You want to impress not agitate.

In the old days we use to call it "pounding the pavement" (looking for a job). Before computers people would actually go out and walk on the sidewalk to get to the building to get an interview; hence the name.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I landed a great job when I called the nurse recruiter and said I wanted to hand-deliver my resume. She told me to come in that day and got me set up at a computer to do the on-line application. While I was doing that, she called around to nurse managers to see who was interested in interviewing me that day. I got to talk to one, and pretty much got hired off the street.

During my orientation, I met a lot of new grads who had only submitted an online application, and sat in cyber-limbo for months.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I watched for myself one day as a new grad brought a resume to the floor. The charge nurse got the educator and the educator got the NM and the new grad got an instantaneous interview. It was impressive to watch, as they were so impressed with the initiative.

I do suspect that sense of being impressed, however, will fade FAST if everyone starts doing it.

[WindRN]

Thank you ladies for your replies! I would prefer to call and ask to hand deliver my resume, but most of the time the phone number is not listed. Do you just call HR and will they give you the NM's phone number? Will they give you the name of NM as well? I tried this once somewhere else and they would not give me the number or name.

Thanks for your help.:)