Talking to a unit manager about a job

[JDD1017]

Hello,

I am currently a nursing student and will be graduating as an RN in December. I have been trying to get hired on as a nurse tech at a hospital here in town and there are either no positions open, or when I do apply I get a rejection letter a couple of days later. It is becoming very frustrating! My ideal job would be in the NICU, but I imagine there are very few nurse tech positions that open up in that unit. I am a great employee and get along with everyone and I know that if I was given the chance to interview they might like me, but I NEVER get to interview. With the application process being online now I am just a faceless applicant...

Here's my question: I had clinicals with someone who works as a nurse tech at the hospital and he suggested that I bypass HR all together and go directly to the hospital and meet the unit manager...just introduce myself and tell them I'm interested in a nurse tech position. It sounds so simple when I type it, but I am NOT the type of gutsy person to approach a busy unit manager and beg for a job. I don't even know exactly what I would say! I imagine having to stand in the hallway of the hospital and give her my speech and I would really rather avoid having everyone hear how desperate I am for a job lol. On top of that, I have only been to this hospital once, I don't know my way around, and I don't even know how I would find the unit manager, other than showing up at the nurses station and asking to see her. Has anyone else done this before and what do you do and how did it go? What was the outcome? Would it be better to wait until a position comes available, then apply online and also go up there after filling out the application? Does anyone else have other advise for me? ANY advice would be appreciated!

Also-I just spoke with the hospital regarding volunteering and I am going to try to start volunteering there. I am hoping it will help me network with some people and maybe something will come from that. Has anyone had any luck starting out as a volunteer and then getting a job as a nurse tech or an RN? Thanks SO much for your advice!

[llg, PhD, RN]

Volunteering is a good way to get your foot in the door. It will give you opportunities to meet people -- maybe even the manager of the NICU. Once you are "in" the hospital, you can ask for an appointment with the manager to talk about job opportunities. Stalking her and/or showing up out of nowhere is just plain inconsiderate. Ask to talk with her to get some career advice as to how to get into the NICU someday. That's a much better way to do it.

[JDD1017]

Volunteering is a good way to get your foot in the door. It will give you opportunities to meet people -- maybe even the manager of the NICU. Once you are "in" the hospital, you can ask for an appointment with the manager to talk about job opportunities. Stalking her and/or showing up out of nowhere is just plain inconsiderate. Ask to talk with her to get some career advice as to how to get into the NICU someday. That's a much better way to do it.

Thank you for your response! I felt that it was inconsiderate to show up unannounced as well and I wanted to get other people's opinions about it. I am hoping to start volunteering within the next few weeks. I have to fill out the application and then go in for an interview. The only downside is I have to spend 40 hours volunteering in regular guest services (passing out flowers, mail, etc...) before I can go to a specific department. But if it's the only way to get my face out there and network then I am willing to put in my time:) Thanks again for your input! I appreciate it:)