Ways to PROVE how bad I want to be a medsurg nurse

[Ginnym1981]

Any ideas to make my resume/cover letter stand out to nurse managers?

Background: Graduated June 2013 with my ADN, passed the boards July 2013 and started working at a LTC/SNF facility August 2013.

I also began volunteering (purposely) on a busiest medsurg floor at my ideal hospital Sept 2013.

Since I began working FT right of the bat, I haven't started my BSN yet but I took a new PT/on-call LTC position and am starting the new PT job and RN-BSN program FT on Monday (March 31st) so I'll be done by the end of the year, Lord willing.

Let me say that the floor I volunteer on is amazing. I work my butt off when I go there each week and the nurses have taken notice. They are always asking me when I'm going to work with them and the assistant mngr told me yesterday that they have an opening coming up, she immediately thought of me and that I should talk to the unit mngr. I actually had a scheduled appt with her for an information interview that day so it seemed perfect! I was excited/nervous that this could be my chance to shine and get to where I want to be!

Long story short. The meeting went well. She told me she really liked me and that all the nurses were rooting for me to come work with them but that she couldn't promise me anything, mostly because I lack the BSN. (In my area it is required by 2018)

I know the hospital is still hiring ADNs bc I have a classmate who just got hired on a few weeks ago on another unit but it is rare. They are a magnet hospital.

The mngr advised me to state in my cover letter WHY I want to be in medsurg and SHOW them what I'm doing get there. Basically PROVE it to them by showing evidence. Things like attending conferences and listing what articles I've recently read etc.

I looked up conferences the minute I got home and couldn't find any upcoming in my area. (Portland, OR)

Any ideas on what I can do besides conferences and maybe joining AMSN? (Obviously I'll continue volunteering too)

And for the record, I'm not just trying to get a year of acute experience and leave medsurg. Medsurg IS my goal. I'm hoping to specialize in medsurg and become the super nurse I think ALL of you are!

My main reason is the diversity of pts/their diagnoses, the challenge of dealing with comorbidities, the teaching opportunities etc. There is nothing better that moment when things "click" together and you understand why A is r/t B and caused XYZ. I truly love it!

[generalRN2008]

I worked full time and online BSN completion program. It was not hard to do. It was a tough state school program too not a degree mill school. You can list sub acute skills as med surg skills. You do get copd MIs wounds and such right?

[plainfieldguy]

Here are a few suggestions that I could think of:

-Show her that you've applied/been accepted to a BSN program. Even if you don't have the BSN many hospitals will be satisfied if you are enrolled in a program.

-Tell her what journals you subscribe to. NURSING 2014 is an easy-to-read med-surg journal that I started reading while in nursing school.

-Join a professional association such as the Academy for Med-Surg Nurses

-Have the colleagues on the unit where you are volunteering to WRITE you a letter of recommendation/support. Hearing them praise you is one thing.. getting a written letter of support shows their committment to helping you join their team.

-Identify one/more skills that you have learned or perfected while volunteering on the unit.

-Report on any special projects you completed related to med-surg nursing from nursing school.

-Emphasize the fact that since you've been volunteering on the unit, you are familiar with the unit routines, staff, etc. which make it easier for training purposes. Also, if there is a nurse willing to be your preceptor, ask them to step up and speak out on your behalf.

I was in a similar situation as you. I have an ADN, but got my foot in the door as a patient care technician and made a good impression. The manager passed over BSN candidates for me and I am very grateful for it.