Would you find this annoying?

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Hi,

I want desperately to get into pediatric nursing, more so in a NICU than any other area. I have been emailing a nurse manager here and there when I see a position open in one of her units, which includes a special care nursery and a general pediatric unit.

When I first introduced myself I worked at the hospital, but I have since left. I do email here here and there when I see an opening, but most of the openings have just been per-diem and she wants an experienced person for that understandably. Would a manager find this behavior more annoying than welcoming? Should I just stop sending her emails when I apply for something and understand that she would email me if she were truly interested?

Thanks for any input.

Annie

[LessValuableNinja]

Depends on the manager's personality. Do you know her well? What do you know about her?

I would only find it annoying if I didn't like you when I'd known you in person. If I did like you, I would reply with something like, "Sorry, all our PRN positions require 2 years in the NICU. Will keep you in mind for other positions. Feel free to call or email or call if you see a nonprn position pop up." If I didn't like you, would probably reply with "req is >2 years NICU" and leave it at that.

Sometimes you can better gauge annoyance or lack thereof with a phone call. I just directly ask people if I'm annoying them with emails, but I'm pretty blunt after years in project management and sales, and blunt works for me.

[jrt4]

I am going to give you the hard, honest truth. As a manager I do find that kind of thing a little annoying unless I have a relationship with that person. I think its fine to express your interest in the position initially, but after the first interaction I do not really want additional correspondence unless I have asked for it. When I interview RNs sometimes and I don't have a position that will fit their skill set I will tell them to let me know if they apply for a position. Other than that the recruiters are going to screen your applications before they come to me. If you are referred to me by a current employee I will ask the recruiter to pull your application so I can interview...however, if it is more of a "cold call" I am probably just going to respond with "thank you for your interest" and delete.

If you haven't been brought in for an interview despite multiple applications, my advice would be to reach out to the recruiter and let them know your interest. The recruiter can often give insight as to what your application is lacking and give you direction on what you need to do to get the experience we are looking for. Sometimes it can be a misconception on your resume if its not a well typed resume.

Long story short, I would leave the manager alone unless they have asked for correspondence. I can appreciate the enthusiasm though! Good luck!

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Thank you for the input!!

Annie

[JoannieO]

If the manager hasn't responded to you, I'd take that as a No. You could reach out to HR + if in a financial position to do so, work per diem in order to get experience. I believe the "real deal" here is the Experience factor. You should try other hospitals and even doctors' offices to work with children, keep applying for all positions child-related. What about school nursing? Everything and anything--keep going + never give up. Advice from a nurse of almost 46 years and newly retired ...J.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Hi,

She does always respond to my emails and either lets me know she will keep me in mind or that she wants someone with experience. She has never ignored my emails, as she is a very polite person.

Annie

[Nipper48]

First, HR should be co-ordinating job postings, so I would be corresponding with them... Second, what was your work record before you left the hospital and does she have access to it either through HR or by asking your previous manager? If it was good, you are fine, but if you had issues during your previous position, that may be influencing her interest.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

One contact is fine, multiple makes me less likely to consider someone. It would be irritating unless it is someone who I already know and with whose work I am already familiar. I work for a state agency, so our applications and hiring go through a legislatively specified process. It doesn't matter how many e-mails that you send me or how many times that you call me, if your application isn't in, you won't be interviewed. Also, I only have one vote on a three-person interview panel, so if I am the only one who you impress, you won't be getting hired either. I may wield some individual influence in borderline cases, but if you tank the interview or their are red flags in your application, it's game over.

I once had a nurse stop me in the parking lot as I was leaving work one afternoon. She was there to ask about nursing openings. I would not have hired her just for sheer ignorance. There were no openings at the time, which told me that she just blindly showed up without having any idea whether we were hiring or not. I don't know how many other people she accosted before I came out. Had she at least called or e-mailed, I would have told her that there were no openings, and I would have told her how she could find out when we had any, and how to apply. I also would have told her that we do no hiring at the facility itself, that she would have to go through HR first.

I work in a prison setting, and random people stopping me as I am leaving is unnerving. I have no idea who they are, what they want or what their state of mind is.

[bellzybub]

If She is replying to your emails you are good! If I'm annoyed, not interested or bothered by that type of behavior I drop the email or text. There is no reason for me to respond to an email.