Things to Do While Job Hunting

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 22, 2008

Anyone have suggestions of things to do while looking for a job? Anything that will help my resume and maybe even keep some of my skills up to date would be helpful. I've taken a couple of certification classes (even though almost all nurses have said "don't... the hospital will pay for them once you're hired") and am looking for more ideas.

Volunteer work -- particularly if you can volunteer in a place/way that is relevant to the job you are looking for. You will enhance your skills, demonstrate your interest and willingess to work, get people there who can write reommendations for you, and also have a chance to meet people that might help you in your search.

BonnieSc · Mar 22, 2008

What kind of volunteer work? I haven't found many opportunities specifically for nursing (since I'm looking for something with job relevance), except for trips abroad; and I don't know quite how to go about signing up for any long-term volunteer commitments, since I'm hoping to get a job soon and I don't know what that schedule will be like. Any thoughts on that much appreciated.

Any classes people would recommend? One or two-day certifications, or online classes, would be very doable.

BonnieSc · Mar 25, 2008

OK, I spoke with one hospital recruiter today who said to go ahead and look for a volunteer position on a unit where I'd like to work. I thought it would be weird for an RN to be getting patients water and making unoccupied beds--not that those aren't things RNs do, but to do those things exclusively seemed funny. So I'm going to go ahead and try that. She wasn't too optimistic about chances for jobs around here and said it "looks bad" to have a long gap without doing anything with your license, but I really don't know what else to do.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 26, 2008

If you're taking one or two day classes, don't miss the opportunity to network; you never know when you might run into someone who has something to do with hiring!!