Tips for getting past the Recruiter?

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Hello everyone.

I am having a heck of a time getting the nursing recruiter to call or email me. I applied for a PRN position on a LDRP unit about a month ago and have not heard anything. The site says my application is being considered but I would like to have an opportunity to talk with her, well preferably the hiring manager but I cannot get through.

I have 4 1/2 years experience working on a postpartum unit (couplet care). The last 1 1/2 years I have worked at a free standing birth center. On my resume I stated seeking postpartum position and would look forward to training to L&D as the opportunity arose (knowing that I would have to increase to at least part time). There are 4 positions open right now so I thought they could at least use my postpartum experience for now.

I know that I am not the only person having trouble getting through to this recruiter but I am not sure where else to go. I tried calling the hiring manager but didn't hear back from her either (afraid she wants to wait for the recruiter to send over the info).

Anyway, anyone have any suggestions?

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

Try back to the recruiter at least once a week? I feel for you....I really do. It's brutal out there right now. I guess we should be grateful, in some places there's a shortage....so many people have no options right now. Anyway, good luck!:specs: Are there any nursing recruiters out there who will share tips?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I would call to follow up. I had to with one of my jobs. Good luck.

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Specializes in Rural Health.

I would be tempted at this point to put on some nice clothes and pay a visit to the ol' HR office and find the recruiter. Hard to blow you off when you are standing in their office.

Good luck!!!

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Having been a recruiter that is the exact way to do it---put on nice clothes and go show up. Have 2 clean crisp copies of your resume and a copy of your license as well as any othe cert ACLS etc etc etc.

Never rely on email/voice mail alone--too easy to get deleted/ignored.

Also try and set up a job shadow--nothing better than showing the entire dept how great you are, they will be your biggest advocates in getting you on the shced.

Best of luck---but be pt, this time of year right now, odds are you wont start or get on sched till after Jan

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I would be tempted at this point to put on some nice clothes and pay a visit to the ol' HR office and find the recruiter. Hard to blow you off when you are standing in their office.

Good luck!!!

I was thinking the same thing. Or even stroll through the unit and talk to the nurse manager. Good luck.

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Specializes in Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery.

Being a nurse manager, I have had more "on the fly" interviews than anything...people that just show up in the recruiters office. I don't know if that is the answer, but I interviewed 2 people that way. I don't know what it is, but I can't evem get a hold of the recruiter unless I physically go down there. Just make sure you make a nice impression by wearing something nice and having your resume with you. By the way, I offered positions to both of my walk-ins.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I second the suggestion to drop in to see the recruiter. It may turn into an interview including the unit manager, if she is available. But I caution against showing up on the unit trying to meet the manager, especially in maternal-child health, where this may be viewed as a security issue.

If you are hoping for contact with the nurse manager, call hospital information and ask for the OB manager's name, number and e-mail address. By contacting her directly, you are not necessarily bypassing HR, but you will be able to ask if she has seen your resume and application, and ask for an appointment to meet with her. It is not unusual for resumes to get lost in HR and never make it to the intended unit.

Good luck!

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drop in...definitely. although, when i dropped in the first time i wasn't expecting to actually see the recruiter himself. i was in shorts and flip flops - i was just going to drop off my resume and have the receptionist give it to him. well lo and behold out comes walking the recruiter...with me in non-professional attire! i mean, shorts and flip flops, of all things! i have finally been offered a position, after nearly 3 months of hounding. mind you, this is for a PCA position, not an RN position. that'll be in 3 years...lord willin' and the creek don't rise!

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Thanks everyone for giving great advice. I was worried that I would put them off by hounding but it sounds like thats what it takes. I would like to talk with the hiring manager but it is a locked unit and I will respect that. I will just keep calling or drop in on the recruiter and maybe try the floor again after the Holidays. Thanks again for your help. I never had this difficulty before and I have been a nurse for over 6 years so just took me by surprise. Have a great Thanksgiving!

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Hi,

I've been trying to get into L&D since nursing school. Not able to get in right out of school I took a job as a MICU nurse. After a moving states I was fed up with the HR run-around and waiting for my dream job, so I took the bull by the horns and went to the L&D unit, talked to the manager and she hired me on the spot. I cried (afterward of course :wink2:) I was so happy. It's worth it to get in touch with the manager.

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