Thanks – Hope to her from you soon!

Michelle

It’s a sentiment voiced repeatedly by our RealityRN community—and the phenomenon is perplexing. After all, nursing students have been told there’s a nursing shortage: a hospital job in nursing should be a slam-dunk.

But the reality is the market is tight in some parts of the country. And different regions of North America, as well as the UK, Australia and the rest of the world experience the shortage differently. In some places, there is a glut of new nurses.  Nursing expert Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, author of new book The Ultimate Career Guide for Nurses, offers advice on how to find a job—even when it feels hopeless.

RealityRN: Why is there a sudden shortage of new jobs for graduates?

Donna Cardillo: First, many nurses predicted to retire aren’t retiring.  Some are working because they still need the money and the benefits.  Others just don’t want to retire – they want to stay engaged.  There are even some nurses who retire and then return because they miss it.

The sluggish economy is also part of the reason new nurses are having difficulty finding jobs. Some experienced nurses who were part-time are looking to pick up additional shifts to make more money.  Other nurses who temporarily left the work force to raise a family have spouses who have been laid off or just need to boost their family income–so they are returning to the job market to make ends meet.

And because many hospitals have a shortage of experienced nurses on staff, they don’t even have enough staff to orient new nurses, so are opting to hire only experienced nurses.

Is this happening everywhere?

No. It is not universal. I’ve heard California, the Boston area, parts of NJ/NYC and the Philadelphia area are the worst. But even in those tight job markets, it doesn’t mean that some of the hospitals aren’t hiring.

There’s no reason to panic. Don’t despair; things change. I’ve been in the nursing profession for over 30 years, and I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs. But new circumstances require a new approach to the job search.

What does this “new” approach entail?

It all starts while you’re a student nurse.

Look for summer internships at local hospitals where you can work as a student nurse. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door and become known by the staff.  Also, students might consider working at a hospital (especially a facility you are interested in working at post graduation) as a nurse’s aide or a tech. You not only build confidence but also become familiar with the facility and people.  If you do well and people like you, you’re going to have a much better shot at being hired as an RN once you get your license.

Just sending in a resume with a cover letter is an ineffective and tough way to market yourself in a tight market.

Once you’re a grad, what then?

It’s very important to get out to the career fairs and out to local chapter meetings of your state nurses associations.  You should join the association but if you don’t belong yet, go as a guest.  If you’re interested in a specialty, such as Operating Room or ICU, you should also attend meetings as well as join the associations of the related specialties, such as the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (www.aorn.org).

These gatherings are geared for networking. And when you’re looking for a job in a tight job market, it’s all about networking. It’s how you find mentors and role models, build a support system, tap into a pipeline of information, and find people to refer you. Networking is the number one way to find and get a good job.

What is the worst mentality a new grad can have about finding a job?

Believing there are no jobs out there and that new grads can’t get hired anywhere.  Generalizations are dangerous and are rarely true.

It might be a challenge to find the type of job that you want in your local market, but if you’re not finding what you want you have to:

A) Change your approach—what you’re doing isn’t working; and,

B) Look in new directions—there are plenty of opportunities for nurses; they may just not be your first choice.

So perhaps nurses need to shift their expectations for their first job?

Here’s the reality: You might not be able to find a position for yourself right away in a hospital.  That doesn’t mean you’re never going to work in a hospital. But it means initially you may need to look for employment in an alternate care setting—a rehabilitation facility, a sub-acute care facility, a long-term care acute facility, an outpatient facility, a psychiatric hospital, a cancer care patient facility, or an outpatient chemo/dialysis center.  There are so many options.

Or say you want to work days in the emergency room.  You may start out on nights to get your foot in the door. You can do something different afterwards.

So there’s hope?

Yes! Stick to the basics: good self marketing, networking, flexibility. Don’t be afraid to consider your other options.  It’s a great profession and there are many interesting and exciting opportunities out there.

Most of us have enough sense to not make these blunders. But they prove the point that as a candidate for that new nursing position, you must meet or exceed the expectations of your interviewer. Even the slight mess-ups can undermine your professional prowess.

Below are 10 things nurses can do to show their best during the interview process.

1. Dress like you mean business. You may be in scrubs and a pair of clogs during your shift, but the HR department dresses to a different standard. When in Rome, dress as the Romans do. Flip flops are out. One earring per ear, please (none for men). Dress for the executive suite, not a rodeo or rock concert. Polish those dress shoes. Appearance will be the interviewer’s first impression of your professional nature.

2. Get a grip. Your handshake sets the tone for the rest of the interview. Nobody, least of all business professionals, likes gripping a dead fish. A firm handshake can be the difference between success and failure. Recruiters have been known to disqualify candidates merely on the basis of a handshake.

3. Chew at home. Chewing during an interview can be construed as a sign of insecurity, or worse, a lack of respect for the interview process.

4. Sit up. Sit forward. Appear engaged. Posture and eye contact show the interviewer that you’re serious about winning. Body language (i.e. folding your arms or crossing your legs) can be read as a sign of close mindedness, or defiance.

5. Remember your paperwork. Bring three extra copies of your CV/Resume and a neatly typed list of references. Give a set to the interviewer. Never assume that the interviewer will have your resume in-hand for review.

6. Arrive early, and don’t fidget. Give the impression that you’re good at managing time. Late is not an option!

7. Be prepared! You know they’re going to ask questions about your attitude, ability to adapt, skill qualifications, etc. – so have in mind what you’ll say beforehand.

8. Engage the interviewer. Quickly scan the interviewer’s office for something that you can comment on, such as a family picture or window view, to break the ice. Finding something in common puts you on a more personal level with the hiring professional. If you don’t see anything, be prepared to comment on something like the weather.

9. Say thanks. Be sure to close the interview with a thank you and another firm handshake. Leave the same impression you came in with.

10. Follow up with a thank you note. It may seem trivial, but everyone appreciates personal recognition. It’s a sign that you’re detail-oriented and serious about your prospects at the hospital.

Unfortunately, many new nurses skimp on this important phase of the job-acquisition process.

According to Carolyn Steffel, a nurse recruiter at Edward Hospital (a magnet hospital) in Naperville, IL, new nurses need to ace the application and resume to be taken seriously. Read here her best advice for doing so:

Don’t cut corners on the application process.
Your application is just as important as the interview—if not more important since it’s what gets your foot in the door. But many new nurses rush through the process, especially if applying online, because it feels informal. Be cautious: You need to slow down and be fastidious in how you fill out your application because recruiters evaluate candidates based on them.

Nursing is technologically advanced today, so you need to be able to demonstrate that you can use the automated system through which you are submitting your application. Also, when your application’s documentation is not clear and thorough, many recruiters draw conclusions that you will be similarly careless with your documentation on the job. And you need to give complete information. Don’t say, “See resume.” The application is the legal document, seen even before a recruiter reviews your resume. You don’t want to leave a recruiter wondering what you have and haven’t done—or lead them to believe you’re a corner-cutter by nature.

Proofread. Proofread. Proofread.
Believe it or not, Mrs. Gerund’s 7th-grade grammar class was critical to your present job-seeking success. According to a recent study published by Accountemps, 34% of applications and resumes have grammatical and typo errors. Remember this: Your worth is found in the details. If you rush through your application and resume, peppering it with misplaced commas, misspelled words, and fragments, your professional competency is questionable. Recruiters wonder how you’ll manage a fast-paced career like nursing and keep errors at a minimum. They also question if your lack of attention to detail is an indicator that you’ll be slack with the day-to-day tasks.

Highlight your best—but be truthful.
Think of your resume as your sales brochure. You want to showcase your skills, professional and educational background, and accomplishments–with the purpose of demonstrating how you will benefit the organization. This means you’ll need to research the organization, so you know what its core competencies are. It also will entail picking your “best-of” experiences, so the organization gets a snapshot of your capabilities and won’t get bored by the details. Too much information leads to getting lost among the legions of applications. Also, if you list a competency, skill, or experience, be prepared to discuss it during the interview. Recruiters can catch you stretching the truth by asking for details. Baggy answers point to incapacity. In short: Be clear. Be crisp. Be honest.

Pick the right references—and inform them.
During the application process, you will go through a rigorous screening process. Having references who can speak specifically and positively of your capabilities is critical to standing out among the crowd of applicants. You intuitively know who will speak highest of you based on the quality of relationship you have. But it’s still important to inform your references and maintain a positive relationship with them. Let them know about the job you are applying for and provide them the most up-to-date information about you. This way they know what to highlight about you in their conversation with the interviewer. Also, make sure you have their most current information as well; if they’ve added a title to their name, like Ph.D., you’ll want to include that. Misrepresenting you references demonstrates sub-par professionalism.

Follow up in an appropriate way.
Most organizations have automated applicant tracking systems that immediately notify an applicant via e-mail that his/her application has been received. The length of time it takes to receive a response can vary, depending on if you are applying to an actual open position or sending an unsolicited resume. There can be thousands of applications and resumes that job recruiters are sifting through. Because of this, it often takes two weeks—sometimes longer—to respond to applicants. So don’t follow up on your application for at least that long.

When you do follow up, don’t clog up a recruiter’s e-mail inbox with inquiries. A professional call would be better received and also gives you the opportunity to showcase your communication skills. Be concise, professional, and polite in your follow-up communication. It’s also beneficial to reference the specific position you applied to, versus saying “I want to follow up on my application.” Or, “I have not heard anything about my application.”

Follow-up does not guarantee you will secure a job. But it does leave a positive impression when done correctly.

That’s the essence of behavioral-based interviewing, which aims to discover how the interviewee acted in specific employment-related situations.

Why is behavioral-based interviewing so popular? Because, according to Carolyn Steffel, a recruiter at Edward Hospital, a magnet hospital in Naperville, IL, “You can teach someone skills, but you cannot easily teach someone a behavior. Despite the nursing shortage, we say no to nurses who don’t fit our organization’s core competencies.”

Core competencies are behaviors that an employer deems necessary for the job for which you are interviewing. By doing a little investigative work (i.e., visiting the hospital’s web site to study its history and mission, reviewing the job description, or revisiting the job posting), you can find out the core competencies an employer is looking for. It’s critical to be fluent in these competencies, because behavioral interviewing hinges on them.

For instance, most hospitals want nurses to demonstrate strong customer service abilities. Instead of focusing on, “How would you handle a patient who is screaming about the care he is receiving?” a behavioral interview asks, “Give an example of when you went above and beyond the call of duty to make a patient comfortable.”

Steffel recalls a memorable answer to this question: “One nurse actually took home laundry for a patient’s family member, who was far away from home and didn’t have the resources to take care of it herself. This demonstrated the nurse’s willingness to address the full scope of a patient’s needs.”

Other core competencies employers look for include leadership abilities, problem solving skills, communication skills, initiative, and ease at developing and maintaining peer relationships. Before the interview, it’s important to anticipate questions and formulate answers that tell a clear, detailed personal story.

Following are some questions to consider:

• How have you gone above and beyond the call of duty? Why did you?
• What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? Give an example of how you handle it.
• Have you had to ask a team member to do a task they weren’t thrilled about? How did you motivate them?
• How have you handled a difficult situation with a co-worker?
• Give an example of how you worked effectively under pressure.
• Give an example of an occasion when you used logic to solve a problem.
• Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.

During the interview if you don’t understand a specific question, ask for clarification before answering. And after you’ve answered, expect the interviewer to follow-up with more questions. Even if you shine on the first, second, and third question, your fate might be determined if you fumble the last question.

According to Steffel, you must be consistent in your answers and persevere through the final question. Steffel recalls an interview in which the nurse handled all the questions well except the last, which focused on peer relationships. She made many pejorative comments about a peer, and as Steffel probed deeper, she realized this nurse wasn’t a good fit for their organization.

According to Steffel, “At our hospital, like most hospitals, we want people who embrace challenges. Even if we don’t always agree, we want people who are willing to compromise and work toward a solution.”

So, take a look at your behavior: Will you fit in at the organization that you are applying with? Maybe. Maybe not. The interview is a way for both interviewer and interviewee to find out—so you’ll stick with the job and find satisfaction.

1. Dress professionally.
You may have a stellar resume—aced nursing school, received high marks on your NCLEX, hold great recommendations—but if you come in as Sally or Sal Slop, your credibility will plunge. Steffel has had nurses arrive at interviews wearing shorts and flip-flops. Guess whether they got the job. Steffel recommends staying away from anything that will distract the interviewer from what you’ll bring to the organization—hiked-up hemlines, street attire, wrinkled slacks, flashy jewelry, disheveled hair, overpowering fragrances, or gum smacking. Since you’re applying for a professional position, look the part: Keep it conservative, neat, and clean. First impressions are lasting.

2. Watch your non-verbal cues.
According to Steffel, interviewers are looking for a nurse to be well composed and professional.

They discern this through the nurse’s non-verbal cues. Don’t forget interviewing fundamentals, like a firm handshake, a pleasant smile, direct eye contact, uncrossed arms, and an energetic tone of voice. Aside from displaying enthusiasm and sharpness, these gestures also reveal how you will interact with future customers (patients). And your poise points to how you will handle the countless unfamiliar and frightening scenarios a nurse faces during his/her career. In short,interviewers appraise your non-verbal communication as much as your verbal communication.

3. Exude enthusiasm.
When Steffel interviews nurses, she also looks for a passion for the profession and the organization for which the nurse is applying. Steffel knows people are nervous and might occasionally flounder for words—that’s expected. Still, nurses should demonstrate excitement about their careers, that they have something unique to offer, and that they are fond of the organization for a specific reason (i.e., their mission statement or they’re a magnet hospital). Engaging the interviewer in conversation about the organization, also demonstrates your eagerness and ability to interact with people (which nursing is all about). While you may not have years of experience to buttress your credibility, your excitement and interest in the organization will do so.

4. Turn off your phone.
In a world in which we are constantly reminded to turn off our cell phones and pagers, you would think it would be a no-brainer to do so before a job interview.

Not so. Steffel has interviewed nurses whose cell phones rang in the middle of the interview… and one time a nurse actually answered it. Not only are your phones and pagers a potential distraction, but the interruption demonstrates that you are not fully present for the interview— and that it’s not a priority.

“Interviewers are fully present for the interview,” says Steffel. “The candidate needs to abide by those same principles.”

5. Research the organization.
Be prepared to answer the questions: “Why are you interested in our organization? What brings you here? Why do you want to work at this hospital?” And don’t say, “Because it’s the closest to where I live.” Take time to review the hospital’s mission statement, read articles written about the hospital, or review the job posting—find any information you can about the hospital and study it. It will be invaluable information during your interview.

For instance, if you researched Edward Hospital, where Steffel is a recruiter, you’d find it’s a magnet hospital and about their brand promise to deliver care “for people who don’t like hospitals.” During the interview, use information like this to demonstrate your interest in the organization. But don’t simply say, “I want to be hired because I want to be at a magnet hospital.” Take it a step further, Steffel recommends, and explain why you want to be at a magnet hospital: because of the nurse support, the preceptor program, the internship, the transition training program, etc. This attention to detail shows the interviewer how serious you are about the position you are vying for.

6. Ask the right questions.
“You’re interviewing the organization just as much as we’re interviewing you,” says Steffel, “so you need to have questions prepared.” Maybe there was something that the interviewer said during the interview that you’d like to be clarified. Don’t hesitate to ask. Now is the time to find out what won’t work for your personality—rather than later, once you’ve signed the dotted line.

Questions nurses should ask include the following:

• What is your orientation program like? Do you have a preceptor program? What is its duration?
• Do you allow time off for and/or pay for continuing ed?
• Do you have nurse educators, and how often are they available?
• How are performance evaluations done, and how frequently?
• Will I have to work weekends and holidays? Will I be on call?
• What is your retirement plan like? Will you contribute?

Preparation at every level will set you apart from your competition—and may help you even
enjoy the process.

You’re not alone. The feelings are common in the nursing community, but few realize that they do have options! In this RealityRN interview, Diane Kubal, President and Founder of Fulcrum Network, discusses the reasons to leave a disagreeable position and the possibilities at your fingertips.

RealityRN: What should signal to a nurse that it’s time to move on?

Diane Kubal: If you’re short with and barking at people, you may be unhappy. Also, if you consistently don’t want to go to work, you’re late a lot, or you can’t wait for your time off, don’t ignore that. When a person isn’t happy in a position, the body finds a reason to make you take a day off.

Nursing requires all of you–your mind, body, and spirit. You need to be fully present and not daydreaming about somewhere else.

How long should you stick out with a job fraught with conflict?

That depends on your tolerance and ability to cope. Are you having effective discussions with your colleagues and supervisor that are communicating your views? Are you able to agree to disagree? Or the opposite: Is the conflict making work uncomfortable every day?

If you decide the problems can’t be resolved, don’t stick it out for long. Stress will take over. And then when you finally leave, you’ll be looking for a new job with negative energy.

How important is closure when moving from one job to the next?

You don’t want to bring baggage along with you to interviews. Let go of whatever it was that you were leaving. Most people think they can leave one job and start the next two weeks later. However, without time to process, they end up with emotions they never dealt with. Write a letter or start a journal– find a way to get rid of lingering negative feelings.

What options are available to nurses besides a full-time hospital position?

Most hospitals offer part-time work that will allow you to keep your benefits. If you’re worried about leaving for a long period of time and then starting over, there is the option of working every other weekend, and you can keep your pay level.

If you’re a mom, you might consider working Saturdays and Sundays. School nurses are mom-friendly jobs. You have the advantage of hours that coincide with the kids.

Doctor’s offices are generally less stressful and can be closer to home. Also, you can work for a home health agency, traveling to patients’ homes within the hours that you choose to work. The added advantage is that you develop stronger relationships with your patients.

Also consider adding to your education. You can work towards becoming an APN (Advanced Practice Nurse), which has its own state license. This requires at least a master’s degree. You can choose one of the four APN categories: Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Another option is to use your nursing skills as a nurse educator.

If you are not interested in post-graduate degrees, consider legal nurse consulting. After completing a short program, attorneys will send you charts to review for malpractice lawsuits. This pays well and can be done at home.

What questions should you ask when considering a nursing position?

What are your priorities? What is most important to you? Do you love to help people, and how is that going to show up in this particular role?

Think about pay, location, the people, the supervisor, the benefits, and the feel of the place. Figure out what makes you happy and how you can find a role that is going to provide a good percentage of time to your most important satisfiers, whatever those are.

The people you meet in the process of finding a new job will catch your excitement and passion–and may even want to hire you if there’s an opening!