Looking for a new job is never easy. But searching for one when
you have no significant experience can be a nightmare. So make
sure to leave enough time to look for work. If you're just
changing jobs, begin your search a minimum of two months before
you plan to start in your new workplace. If you're a new
graduate, it's best to start your employment search one year
before your date of graduation.
Do Your Homework
Attending job fairs and career days is a great way to look for
nursing-specific opportunities. You should also visit college
career placement offices and read ads in newspaper and telephone
yellow pages, healthcare publications, and professional journals.
Network with friends, faculty, relatives, and co-workers. Attend
professional meetings for practical advice and for referrals for
job opportunities.
Once you're interested in a particular organization, phone
their recruiting offices or personnel department requesting
information about the hospital or organization, an application,
and a job description. Start a folder on each employer you are
considering. Gather all the information about a prospective
employer and evaluate it carefully.
Ask Questions About Possible
Employers
Investigating potential employers before you send out resumes or
show up for the interview gives you a competitive extra edge.
You'll know in advance whether the company deals with the area
you're interested in, whether there's room for growth and
promotion, and what the company's growth potential is like. Based
on these facts, you'll be able to evaluate the companies for
yourself, ruling out some employers, and creating a list of
favorite companies.
You'll also be able to incorporate this knowledge into your
cover letter or interview, which will no doubt impress the
potential employer. So what types of information should you know?
Try finding out the answers to some of these questions:
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What is the location and size of the
institution? |
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Is it a community based or national
corporation? |
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Is it affiliated with a university and is it
research-oriented? |
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What specialty areas are available? |
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What services are provided to
consumers? |
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What is the organizational structure, that
is, the lines of authority? |
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What is the financial status? |
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Is this a profit or not-for-profit
institution?
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Check Out the Annual Report and
Mission Statement
Another aspect to investigate during your job search are the
values of the organization. This is especially important in
several sectors of the healthcare industry. For instance, if
you're a devout Catholic, you may not want to take a job at a
health clinic that is pro-choice. Make sure that you don't have
issues with the values, management style, or benefits of the
organization you are investigating.
Some issues to find out about are:
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Is the institution sickness or wellness
oriented? |
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What does the institution value most? |
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What is the management style? |
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What is the philosophy of nursing? |
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How is patient care organized: primary care
or the team concept? |
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What are the work schedule options? |
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What is the salary? |
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What benefits are available? |
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What is the basis for raises? |
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Do they have tuition reimbursement,
retirement plans, or profit-sharing programs? |
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Are there career advancement
opportunities?
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