Paula Said:

How can I apply to nursing homes for jobs?

We Answered:

I would first start off at your local community college, most have a college newspaper with nursing and CNA openings, that you can draw from. Also check with your CNA training provider and ask them if they know of any openings in your area, a lot of times they too will know of hospitals or nursing homes hiring, you just need to ask.

The second piece of advice, is to make a list of all of the local facilities in your area that have openings, in addition to other facilities and drive to each one and physically drop off a resume and fill out an application there if possible. And try to speak with someone in HR or in the facility doing the hiring, sometimes it's possible other times it is not, remember these people are very busy and you aren't the only one apply for a job. You need to make yourself stand out.

The second point I would make is, even if they state they are not hiring ask to leave a resume with them anyway in case a position does open up. Sure there may not be an opening immediately but there could be one in a week or month... The same people that you are speaking to on the phone, chances are are nurses or staff at the facility and simply are really busy and want to get you off the phone as quickly as possible. While there may not be any openings, a lot of people use this as a tactic to quickly get rid of you on the phone or they simply aren't involved in the hiring process and aren't aware of their current staffing needs.

And lastly, make a point to follow up with each place you dropped off an application, this could be via phone, email or a hand written letter directed towards the person doing the hiring at the facility. Don't know the person doing the hiring? Well, when you are physically dropping of your resume, that is an excellent thing to ask for; a business card, the persons name and email and phone number to follow up with.

Also a great tip is, if you are sending along a follow up letter and you have the persons physical name, go to your local nursing store and pick up several $1-2 paper clips that have something nursing related. Or small item nursing related don't spend more than $2-3 on each item, and mail that along with a hand written note thanking them for their time, and a copy of your resume. It may sound a little cheesy, but believe it or not that HR person will remember you and your resume and it will make your resume/application stand out in a pile of 25 or 50 applications. And it cost you all of $2+ postage.