Job Search: Finding Your Match PDF

Chapter 27 Job Search: Finding Your Match Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.  Exploring Options  Knowing oneself  The choice of the first nursing position deserves study  Consult an instructor, a job counselor, or a trusted...

Chapter 27 Job Search: Finding Your Match Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.  Exploring Options  Knowing oneself  The choice of the first nursing position deserves study  Consult an instructor, a job counselor, or a trusted nursing mentor for objective input  Review general interests, abilities, and strengths  Consider physical and emotional stamina  Consider energy level and responsibilities to others  Consider long-term goals Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 2 Hallmarks of the Professional Practice Environment  Manifest a philosophy of clinical care, emphasizing quality, safety, interdisciplinary collaboration, continuity of care, and professional accountability  Recognize the value of nurses’ expertise as it relates to clinical care quality and patient outcomes Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 3 Hallmarks of the Professional Practice Environment (Cont.)  Promote executive level nursing leadership  Empower nurses’ participation in clinical decision making and organization of clinical care systems  Demonstrate professional development support for nurses  Maintain clinical advancement programs that are based on education, certification, and advanced preparation  Create collaborative relationships among members of the health care team  Apply technological advances in clinical care and information systems Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 4  Networking  Research potential employers by networking at school, community sites, and student nurse organizations  Explore websites of health care facilities; many have jobs posted and provide online applications  Question faculty, other nurses, employees, former employees, and alumni of one’s own school  Talk with nurses and other employees of potential institutions  Review employment sections of job fairs and the Internet  Listen to family members, neighbors, and friends who have been patients in facilities Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 5  Written Introductions  Cover letter  Provides an opportunity to sell oneself and make the recruiter look forward to meeting an attractive candidate  Reflects the nurse’s own style of writing, not copied from a book  Should be a clean, direct, and perfect letter on a single page of heavyweight bond paper  Addressed to a specific person  Single-spaced and three to four paragraphs, skipping a line between paragraphs Paragraph one: statement of purpose Paragraph two: emphasizes writer’s suitability Paragraph three: requests an interview appointment and gives a range of dates  Follow up by telephone 1 week later to make sure the letter was received. Be very courteous Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 6  How to Prepare a Résumé  Compress education and employment history into an attractive, easy-to-read summary  Three essential sections Identifying information Education Work experience and employment history  Optional information may include professional objectives, honors, achievements, and professional organization memberships  References do not need to be included but should be prepared and ready for presentation when requested  Produce the résumé neatly and inexpensively Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 7  Critical Thinking Question 1. Which of the following statements used in a résumé for a nurse just entering the workforce would produce the best results? A. “Graduation with high honors will be awarded along with my nursing degree” B. “I will be graduating with honors” C. “A project on diverse populations will be presented to the state nursing association before graduation as part of my course requirements” D. “Every week, volunteer work is donated by students from my school for the local senior citizen’s agency” Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 8  Portfolio  Hard copy or electronic  Allows nurse to showcase credentials  Provides concrete examples of professional competence  Supervisor evaluations from non-nursing positions  Clinical evaluations  Papers and other student projects  Letters of recommendation  Résumé  Diploma  Transcripts  Honors, awards  Evidence of professional community activities Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 9  Applicant’s Rights  Be informed of available positions and minimum qualifications  Apply for available position for which he or she is qualified  Be seriously and fairly considered  Have an interview and be shown a job description  Be informed of the benefits package  See the nursing unit, and meet the manager if one is being seriously considered  Be made aware of the orientation program  Be given an expected time when a decision will be made Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 10 Prepare for the Face-to-Face Interview  Dress appropriately  Business-style clothing: neat dress, suit, or pantsuit for women; tie and suit or sport coat for men  Jeans and clothes that are too tight, short, or trendy are not acceptable  Facial makeup should be light; avoid fragrances  Avoid large, distracting jewelry  Arrive on time  Bring a résumé even if one has already been submitted Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 11  Prepare for the Telephone or Video Interview  Dress appropriately  Consider time zones  Control surroundings  Have résumé available Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 12  Eight of the Most Frequently Asked Questions  What positions interest you?  Tell me about your work history  How did you choose to apply for a job here?  Do you want a full-time or a part-time position, and what shift are you looking for?  What are your strengths and weaknesses?  What would you do if…?  Why should we hire you?  What questions do you have? Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 13  How to Interview Effectively  The recruiter should inform applicants of basic human resource policies regarding job descriptions, compensation, benefits, and staff development  Examples of appropriate questions to ask:  May I see the job description?  What is the nurse-patient ratio?  How long is the orientation program?  How will my performance be evaluated?  What will my salary be?  What other benefits are there?  What will my schedule or shift be? Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 14  Critical Thinking Question 2. Which of the following questions would be inappropriate for a nurse recruiter to ask during an interview? A. “What is your religious preference?” B. “Why did you leave your last job?” C. “Why do you want to be a nurse?” D. “Why are you applying to this organization?” Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 15  The Employer’s Tasks  Determine qualifications  Meets the minimum requirements for the position?  Suitable for contributing to the mission of the health care delivery system?  Any evidence that the nurse is impaired in terms of providing safe nursing care? Incompetence or unprofessional conduct Unreliability in attendance Chemical dependency Criminal activity  Validate applications: work history and references will be checked to ensure accuracy Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 16  The Applicant’s Tasks  Assess the climate of the work environment  Is a tone of respect and pride used by the organization?  In the hallways, do people acknowledge each other?  Read in-house publications that are available to you Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 17  The Applicant’s Tasks (Cont.)  Ask for a tour  Ask to meet the immediate supervisor  Pay attention to pace, staff interactions, and morale  Is the manager accessible to the staff?  How do people seem to be getting along?  Note bulletin boards and public displays of staff recognition  Opportunities for the applicant to meet with the staff may be offered Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 18  The Applicant’s Tasks (Cont.)  Assessment tool for decision making  Standards of nursing practice are evident and integral to patient care  Nurse-patient ratio is adequate and is adjusted for patient acuity  Orientation is structured, individualized, and adequate for new graduates  Opportunities for horizontal transfer and advancement exist  Salary is competitive and reasonable  Benefits are competitive  Continuing education is available  A nurse administrator is responsible for delivery of nursing services Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 19  The Employer’s Tasks (Cont.)  Preemployment physical examination  Done at the employer’s expense  Ensures protection for patients  Ensures that the person can carry out the necessary physical responsibilities of the job  Even after a job offer is made, start dates might be contingent on final screenings, reference checks, and résumé verification  Preemployment skills testing: may include a pharmacology test and clinical skills test Copyright © 2019 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 20