When to apply for jobs? May 2010 grad

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Still a medic at heart but ICU, M/S, SVU.

Does anyone know on average when hospitals start opening up slots for May 2010 RN grads? It would be greatly appreciated! At this point I'm willing to go anywhere I can get a job because many hospitals are already proclaiming "No New Grad Positions Available". Depressing.

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Specializes in rehab.

Where are you located?

If you are in cali,

UCLA January 2010

Good samaritan, Febuary 2010

Hoag in New Port Beach Feb 2010

Call frequently, apply now...

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Start applying now....(With the tight market check out the VA, corrections and public health..)

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.

Start looking now! This hospital started accepting applications today for the June 2010 residency:

http://www.seton.net/employment/nursing/rn_residency/versant_rn_residency_form

http://www.indeed.com is also a nice, easy way to check a whole state or specialty at the same time.

Get your cover letter, resume, and letters of recommendation ready to go so once the positions begin opening up, you can jump on them quickly. Also, it is so much easier and less stressful to have everything polished before you get bogged down with your last semester of school.

I started applying in August before the semester began and was the first to get a job in my class; I was offered in mid-October. It was such a relief to have that job locked up so I could focus on graduating.

You know, the hospitals in my area pulled the "we are not hiring" song and dance as well. After hearing this, I decided to apply to every major city in Texas. As it turns out, they did wind up hiring several of my classmates, just not as many as they normally do. I am relocating for my job.

The fact that you are willing to move will definitely give you more opportunities. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Still a medic at heart but ICU, M/S, SVU.

Thank you all for the replies. So...quick question about references. I have many people willing to write reference letters for me. Is it "rude" to have a basic "To whom this may concern" or something similiar so I can use the same letters over and over for institutions? Thank you all and good luck!!

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Specializes in rehab.

Find out who your hiring managers are, there exact names, correct spelling and address each cover letter to whom is interviewing/ hiring you...

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Specializes in Still a medic at heart but ICU, M/S, SVU.

Thanks! I figured it'd end up being that way. I was just looking for an easy way out! ;) j/k

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, OB, MedSurg.

Well this would be nice IF you can attain the nurse manager names. I have tried repeatedly to get this information when applying for positions but I am told it cannot be released and I must just go through HR for all positions. Getting an interview for a job is like winning the lottery it all depends if HR likes you or not. Good luck!

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Specializes in CVICU, anesthesia.

I had the exact same question!!!

I already work at a large teaching hospital as a nursing assistant, and I could have a position on the floor I currently work on, but I really would like to get into critical care. My nurse manager has offered to introduce me to the NMs in the CICU and SICU at our hospital, and she fully supports my goal of getting a job in critical care. I've been working on perfecting my resume and cover letter, but here is another question:

When I first meet the NMs and give them my resume and cover letter, should I also give them a few recommendation letters? I have a generic one ("to whom it may concern") from a previous employer. Should I also get one from my current nurse manager and a nursing instructor? Or are those better when they are confidential and the person writing the letter sends it directly to the prospective employer?

Also, I am not going to wait until they post jobs on the website. I'm going to go straight to the nurse manager. When is the ideal time to do this? Is January too early? Should I wait till February or March?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.

I had this question as well, and I am getting frightened because I had hoped to move to Atlanta, GA upon graduation and land a GN position there, but there are slim to no job openings in that area, much less any area!

The ones that I have seen for a GN are wanting you to already have a RN license for that state, and I am not sure when I will be applying for the nclex.

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, OB, MedSurg.

If this is the way things are done in your area/hospital then I'd say go for it immediately. Like I mentioned in my previous post I tried to contact a few nurse managers directly and was reprimanded for stepping out of the hiring chain of command, so I would just be careful. The NM's in my area don't want to be bothered by GN's looking for work. I'm afraid of being black balled for my ignorance, and since nearly every hospital in my metropolitan area is part of the same organization I may not get job until they forget my name.

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Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

Apply now! Even if there isn't anything for new grads posted on the hospital website, send an email or a regular letter to HR in general to express your interest. Oh and if you are going to go the VA route as another poster suggested, definitely apply now. They can take up to six months to clear you security-wise.

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