Career Development and Employment

Thursday 26 June, 2014

Applying for Graduate Nursing Programs Interstate – 2014

Today’s workshop will cover:

Understanding the graduate nursing recruitment process

Application documents:

Cover letters

Resumes

Selection criteria

Interstate options for graduate nursing programs

Life After University

• Interstate Graduate Nursing Program?

• Tasmanian DHHS Transition to Nursing Program?

• Private Hospital?

• Aged Care?

• Other?

A few thoughts ….

• Many, but NOT ALL, nurses start their professional careers

by undertaking a graduate program.

• Graduate programs are formalised transition programs

offered by employers for those in their first year of practice.

• They are not mandatory but do offer new graduates

structure and support in their first year of practice.

• They may not suit everybody and some people may not get

an opportunity to enter a graduate program.

Getting ready…

• Take a pro-active and professional approach.

• Take the time and effort to make your application high quality and one that represents you in the best way.

• Do some research to find out what is on offer and what you personally need from a workplace.

• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! The hospital or health service you choose may have many great applicants, but just not enough jobs to offer everyone a place.

Marketing yourself

Employers can only take on so many graduates. Why will an employer select you? Stand out from the crowd!

Who are you writing your application for ?

What evidence do you have to demonstrate your

skills and experiences to a graduate employer?

The application ‘package’

Not just a resume - a threefold attack! Usually:

Cover letter Resume Response to selection criteria

Could also be asked for:

clinical placement reports academic transcript application form

The application ‘package’

All the required documents must be submitted

Additional documents required prior to commencement in a program

e.g. Proof of nursing registration, immunisation records

Start collecting relevant information early

Check for variations in requirements across programs

For example, South Australia…

How to Apply

When it's time to apply, you will need access to the following documents and will need to upload some of them with your

application:

• A current resume/curriculum vitae. Please ensure you list the dates and location of all Clinical Placements undertaken as a

nursing student - (to be uploaded with your application)

• Evidence of your most recent Grade Point Average (GPA) - evidence to be uploaded needs to include University name and

logo, Student Name and details, academic results and GPA

• Where you have changed your name you will need to upload satisfactory evidence eg marriage certificate, divorce

certificate, change of name by deed poll etc

• Your two most recent and FULL Clinical Placement reports - this means every page of the report - (to be uploaded with your

application)

Cover letters

Purpose of a cover letter

• Introduction – gives the employer a quick snapshot

• Marketing tool – demonstrates your skills and why you would be suitable for the job

• First impressions count – a strong cover letter will spark interest

• Is an example of your writing skills and your eye for detail

So what should I include?

• A cover letter should demonstrate to the reader that you have read the application requirements carefully and that you are truly interested in working for them - and why

• Don't rewrite your resume in your cover letter, but do draw attention to your most relevant and important achievements that relate to the job.

3 key points to communicate

– Why you are applying for a graduate program

– Why you make an excellent candidate – what you can offer

– Why you want to work for that specific hospital/employer

Good cover letters are …

• To the point. Should clearly link your experience to the role being advertised and are targeted to a particular employer.

• No more than 1 page (unless requested)

• Professional business letter format.

• Positive and upbeat. Make the employer interested in reading your resume.

What is a Resume?

• A brief written account of your personal, educational and professional qualifications and experiences

• A marketing tool, to sell your skills, qualifications and achievements to a prospective employer.

• An evolving document which you should update regularly with new experiences, skills and abilities.

Resume basics

• White space, easy-to-read fonts

• 2-4 pages maximum

• Reverse chronological order throughout

• Sequence sections for relevance

Resume headings

1. Contact Details

2. Career Objective

3. Education

4. Clinical Placements

5. Employment History

6. Key Skills

7. Professional Development

8. Professional Memberships

9. Voluntary Work/Extra-curricular Activities

10. Referees

2013

Clinical Placements

2013 Northern Health Palliative Care (15 days)

• List dates, where you did your placement and relevant details.

• Can list key clinical placement experiences, learning gained and achievements

in this section, under Key Skills, or as requested by the employer.

• Skills, knowledge and experience gained through Clinical Placements can

promote your potential as an employee.

Employment

Dates Job Title Employer

• Briefly describe key duties and responsibilities, skills gained and quantify or

describe achievements.

• Important to include details of all paid jobs, even if not directly relevant to your

studies, as these require skills and show abilities in other ways e.g. hospitality

• Use active language to describe tasks – verbs, ‘doing words’

e.g. Developed, Observed, Documented, Assisted

What Skills Do I Have?

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

Communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Planning & Organisation

Initiative and Enterprise

Self management

Technology

Learning

INDUSTRY/TECHNICAL SKILLS

Specific skills and knowledge from your course

Voluntary Work?

Extra-curricular activities? Interests?

Employers are interested to see more than your

academic and employment qualifications.

Voluntary work & extra curricular activities are highly regarded and can help set you apart from other candidates

Interests - consider relevance and whether they enhance your application.

Referees

Referees are people who can verify the claims and statements you have made in your resume

you need to ask their permission

they need to know you well

Can include:

– Employers – current or past

– Clinical placement supervisor (preceptors), senior colleagues

– Academic staff

What is being requested by employer?

Things to remember

• Use concise statements

• Bullet points

• Link your skills to the position

• Use active language

• Check spelling and grammar

Addressing selection criteria

Selection criteria

• Are the key competencies required for a position.

• Are used to quickly and effectively shortlist candidates according to the specific needs of the role.

• Applications are rated on how closely they meet the selection criteria. You need to give factual evidence in support of your claims.

• Simply asserting your opinion that you have the skills is not enough.

One example…

Ability to work efficiently to a deadline.

The ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines is one of my strongest

skills. I have held various positions where I have had to have the ability to

handle multiple tasks efficiently within set timelines. I have been an effective

employee, and have good relations with my peers and clients, because I can

be relied upon. I feel confident that I can bring these skills to the position of

graduate nurse and use them effectively.

Comments?

How do I answer selection criteria?

2013

Ability to work efficiently to a deadline

I work well under pressure and am able to meet deadlines. This was demonstrated

during my placement at Calvary Hospital. (Situation).

During this placement, I was required to assist the registered nurse with medication

rounds as well as get one patient ready for discharge at 11am that day.(Task) To do this I spoke with the patient and their family, to the doctors in charge of her care, to transport and ensured her medications were ready, whilst also helping with morning medications for four other patients. I began by making a list of the patients requiring medication, prioritised this in order of urgency and checked this with my supervisor. I went to the patient being discharged and spoke about what was going to happen to prepare her for the day. I checked again that her medication and transport arrangements would be ready by 11am.(Action) By breaking down the tasks, I successfully supported four patients with morning medications, and ensured that the patient being discharged was ready and felt aware of the plans. (Result)

The process

• Write down each selection criteria and break up complex criteria into workable parts

• Brainstorm examples in which you can provide evidence (not just opinion)

• Revise and refine

2013

Graduate Nursing Programs

Interstate

Graduate Program Options

Every state / organisation has different requirements and processes, so it

is important to start researching now!

Most states will have online application processes, but be mindful that

some now use ‘computer matching’ systems, which take a bit more

thought and preparation in relation to your preferences.

Public and Private systems

Useful resource:

www.utas.edu.au/students/careers/students/nursing-and-midwifery-careers

Closing dates

It is your responsibility to check the appropriate websites and confirm the details and application procedures.

Some states are closing for applications soon, for example…

NSW: Closes 1 July 2014

VIC: Closes 24 July

Private health organisations

Healthscope www.healthscope.com.au/

Ramsay Healthcare www.ramsayhealth.com.au/

Australian Private Hospitals Australia

www.apha.org.au/index.php

Don’t be afraid to use Google in your search!

Tasmanian options

• We will have Tasmanian providers present their graduation options Aug/Sept when they are more certain of their intake/program for 2015.

• In the meantime, take a look at their websites to familiarise yourself.

Assistance from Career Development and Employment

CDE page: www.utas.edu.au/students/careers

• Resume Link

• Resources

Career Hub: https://careerhub.utas.edu.au

• Individual appointments (phone)

Ph: 03 - 6226 2511 Email: Careers.Service@utas.edu.au

Sydney Workshop

2014