Trying to find work

tardisnurse · Dec 27, 2017

If it's any consolation, this is not unheard of with new grads. I finished school and got my registration in the summer, and didn't find a job till the next March.

Two suggestions:

1) Two weeks of PSW work is a small price to pay to find a job as a nurse. But if you really don't want that...

2) Make use of the New Grad Initiative. Even if it's only 6 months guaranteed work, that's 6 months of experience that will give you a leg up with future job applications.

3) How *aggressive* are you with your applications? Are you just mailing resumes? Because that won't work. When you apply to a unit, find out who the clinical team manager or nurse manager is. Make sure your cover letter addresses them.

4) Find them and/or the hiring personnel on LinkedIn, send them a quick note and let them know you're interested (don't stalk them though). Also, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and complete. Add your experience as a nursing student if you don't have other health care experience.

5) Know the values of each institution you apply to and work that into your cover letter. It makes them realize you've actually done your research. Also, make your cover letter specific to that unit. For example, try to find out if that unit has any recent achievements (did they do well with some quality indicator, were they on the news, any successful previous hires) and work that in.

6) If and when you have interviews, MAKE SURE you message them to say thank you for their time. Makes a HUGE difference.

7) On that note, send a message to the recruiter from the palliative unit where you had the interview, ask them if they would be willing to provide feedback.

Job applications are work. I applied to close to 100 jobs. The returns are few and far between. Just don't give up :-)

KimBarbossa · Dec 27, 2017

@tardisnurse I appreciate your help, thank you so much

dishes, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2017

Resumes submitted before an applicant has their registration are not eligible for interviews in most work places. It's a surplus market and there are more qualified, licensed applicants applying than there are jobs. If you do not have more on your resume than successful completion of a nursing program and registration, it will be easy for employers to overlook your resume for others who have relevant work and volunteer experience, plus references from current staff or managers. This isn't a market for employees to be choosy, your best bet is to accept the agency position, at least it may result in PN experience.