Should I: get applications, send a resume, or both?

I'm not really sure, but most places I have applied (I'm not thru with school yet, but for PCT positions) their online app has a place to upload a resume and sometimes a cover letter too. I think most places expect a resume along with an application, so I don't think it's overkill at all.

BOTH ARE DEF NOT OVERKILL! I am also a new pn as of about a month ago. I always go to possible job interviews in professional attire with a resume on cotton resume paper and a resume envelope. I fill out the application (i always bring a black pen and have a small clipboard to write on) at the site while trying to make small talk with some of the employees. making sure that i spell things correctly and neat writing and that everything is the same as the resume (at another non-nursing job i had, if you had a resume and an app with different dates and stuff like that it was an automatic no with us) then give the app & resume directly to the one in charge of hiring. I NEVER LEFT MY RESUME AND APP WITH A RECEPTIONIST OR ANOTHER NURSE! Then make a quick statement about how you'd love to be a part of their team, a quick education synopsis, and the hours or rotations you'd like to work.

I've done this on every interview (for nursing and prior to nursing) and I have always gotten the job I interviewed for. I got my first nursing job that I'm at now before I even left from dropping off my resume and app. She asked me back to interview because of legalistic aspect but I was guaranteed a job making more than I was expecting.

And I'd fill out apps at places that aren't hiring. You never know when they will be and if you make an impression, maybe they will think of you when the time comes!

GOOD LUCK!!