Sending resume without a job opening listed??

Chad Collins · Jul 31, 2012

what if your patient has a reaction to a medacine and goes into anaphilactic shock that airway exsperience would be very helpful then. Or if they suddenly go into a seizure might need the suction :) just saying

smn2010, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2012

you will need nursing skills in most all medical environments. chad collins provided a good example. also, if it is a large practice, you may have the opportunity to utilize computer charting, do initial assessments (head-to-toe, psycho/social, med history, etc.). these are skills that you will need in most hospitals if you work as an rn bedside nurse. you will need to decide if your preference is a hospital setting, office setting, public health, psych, etc. as time goes by. additionally, if you were to work with a dermatologist, you can always look for a prn (per diem, no benefits, but higher salary) on a hospital floor/unit and pick up part-time hourse once a week/twice a month, in order to experience the hospital environment.

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you would want to sent an "exploratory" letter to places you are interested in working but they do not have any positions posted. i have sent exploratory letters to companies that did not have open positions; however, they retained my resume and called me before they were even in the process of placing an ad in the local paper.

first - call the facility/practice and determine the name/title of the individual who oversees applications (nurse recruiter, hr manager, office manager, etc. i have gone so far as sending my resume to the ceo (who then sends it downward to human resources....and got the job! :))

example of an exploratory letter:

...this may sound a bit cheesy :uhoh3: because i'm not using my actual letter wording; you will word it in a manner that suits you...

paragraph #1 - this letter is being written to explore possible registered nurse > positions that may become available within your organization. the attached resume should provide you with information regarding my education and work history.

paragraph #2 - i am a recent graduate of >. i received my > in nursing in >. i passed my national council licensure examination (nclex) in >. if you have no previous health care experience, briefly describe each of your clinical rotations in school >. if you have been working as a nurse, briefly describe where you have worked >>

paragraph #3 - describe how your college education (or your previous work experience) has provided you with the skills and abilities to do the job that you which to have. i.e.: i have utilized microsoft office software applications (excel, powerpoint, word) on a daily basis when i worked as a unit secretary on a bariatric unit. while working as a unit secretary, i learned to prioritize my work and multi-task while meeting deadlines for nurses, physicians and other multidisciplinary team members, in a fast-paced work environment. i am able to incorporate each of these attributes, while utilizing my nursing knowledge, skills and abilities, as a registered nurse. ...i know...a bit lame but you get the drift!!... :bugeyes:

paragraph #4/last paragraph - something like: i communicate well with others and i am willing to take on all new challenges that are put before me. i am eager to learn and will go the extra mile to be the best nurse that i can be. if you feel that my skills and abilities might fit the requirements that are needed for any rn positions that may become available >, please contact me at (123) 456-7890 or via email at [email protected].

note: as for the position in the dermatologist office, you may want to incorporate why you have an interest in working at an office like this (i.e. your school clinical experience may have been at area hospitals/community facilities and you have an interest in office nursing); because, if you are called for an interview, i'm sure they will be asking this same question. do some research online to see what nurses in a physican's office/dermatology office deal with. what procedures are performed in-house that you will be assisting the doctor with....

sorry for the long post. hope this helps!!!

congratulations on passing the nclex!!! :yeah: :yeah:

good luck with your job hunting!!! just be patient and know that the right job for you is out there.... :up:

LovelyAM · Aug 1, 2012

what if your patient has a reaction to a medacine and goes into anaphilactic shock that airway exsperience would be very helpful then. Or if they suddenly go into a seizure might need the suction :) just saying

You know Chad, looking at your response just now I had sort of a *DUH* moment.. of course I would need those skills in a multitude of situations. I will just chalk that brain lapse up to the NCLEX having wiped out all of my good sense! :bugeyes:

LovelyAM · Aug 1, 2012

you will need nursing skills in most all medical environments. chad collins provided a good example. also, if it is a large practice, you may have the opportunity to utilize computer charting, do initial assessments (head-to-toe, psycho/social, med history, etc.). these are skills that you will need in most hospitals if you work as an rn bedside nurse. you will need to decide if your preference is a hospital setting, office setting, public health, psych, etc. as time goes by. additionally, if you were to work with a dermatologist, you can always look for a prn (per diem, no benefits, but higher salary) on a hospital floor/unit and pick up part-time hourse once a week/twice a month, in order to experience the hospital environment.
***********************************************
you would want to sent an "exploratory" letter to places you are interested in working but they do not have any positions posted. i have sent exploratory letters to companies that did not have open positions; however, they retained my resume and called me before they were even in the process of placing an ad in the local paper.
first - call the facility/practice and determine the name/title of the individual who oversees applications (nurse recruiter, hr manager, office manager, etc. i have gone so far as sending my resume to the ceo (who then sends it downward to human resources....and got the job! :))

example of an exploratory letter:
...this may sound a bit cheesy because i'm not using my actual letter wording; you will word it in a manner that suits you...
paragraph #1 - this letter is being written to explore possible registered nurse > positions that may become available within your organization. the attached resume should provide you with information regarding my education and work history.
paragraph #2 - i am a recent graduate of >. i received my > in nursing in >. i passed my national council licensure examination (nclex) in >. if you have no previous health care experience, briefly describe each of your clinical rotations in school >. if you have been working as a nurse, briefly describe where you have worked >>
paragraph #3 - describe how your college education (or your previous work experience) has provided you with the skills and abilities to do the job that you which to have. i.e.: i have utilized microsoft office software applications (excel, powerpoint, word) on a daily basis when i worked as a unit secretary on a bariatric unit. while working as a unit secretary, i learned to prioritize my work and multi-task while meeting deadlines for nurses, physicians and other multidisciplinary team members, in a fast-paced work environment. i am able to incorporate each of these attributes, while utilizing my nursing knowledge, skills and abilities, as a registered nurse. ...i know...a bit lame but you get the drift!!...
paragraph #4/last paragraph - something like: i communicate well with others and i am willing to take on all new challenges that are put before me. i am eager to learn and will go the extra mile to be the best nurse that i can be. if you feel that my skills and abilities might fit the requirements that are needed for any rn positions that may become available >, please contact me at (123) 456-7890 or via email at [email protected].
note: as for the position in the dermatologist office, you may want to incorporate why you have an interest in working at an office like this (i.e. your school clinical experience may have been at area hospitals/community facilities and you have an interest in office nursing); because, if you are called for an interview, i'm sure they will be asking this same question. do some research online to see what nurses in a physican's office/dermatology office deal with. what procedures are performed in-house that you will be assisting the doctor with....
sorry for the long post. hope this helps!!!
congratulations on passing the nclex!!! :yeah:
good luck with your job hunting!!! just be patient and know that the right job for you is out there....

thank you so much for your insight! this is all incredibly helpful information. also i don't know why i didn't think about working prn in a larger setting but it sounds like a wonderful idea. now if only i could find a hospital out here willing to hire an adn..

well, here goes nothin'! many thanks!!