NURS 6600 - Final Discussion - 16-17 Hours at the Max Please

As this Master’s program ends, many students will be seeking new opportunities which utilize their newly acquired skills.  In this post, I will discuss how I would conduct a job search; the resources utilized; a description of the selected job; the application and interview plan; and how my specific qualifications meet the needs of the job.

Job Search

Conducting a job search can be stressful; the effort and intensity used in the search is indicative of success (Wang, Xu, Zhang, & Fang, 2017).  Internet resources have increased the opportunity for job seekers to easily look outside of their current geographic area.  An example of this is the prospective role of Vice President of Patient Care Services at a 306 bed, Level II trauma center, Catholic hospital in Bismarck, North Dakota (Health Careers, 2013).  While this job piqued my interest, I am well rooted in my current geographical location.  My three children and seven grandchildren live within an hour of me; I do not foresee myself permanently moving from my location.

Resources Utilized

Utilizing national search engines, such as LinkedIn, HealtheCareers, Gannet HealthCare Group, and Nursing Jobs, did not provide information on local opportunities.  Interesting positions were located in the states of Florida, Texas, North Dakota, and Oregon.  None were identified within Michigan.

This desire to remain local prompted me to search for different opportunities locally.  I began a more local search utilizing the actual websites of local organizations within a sixty-mile radius.  This search led me to two job opportunities locally; a critical care hospital, which recently became a subsidiary of our closest competitor, has two open positions which may match my career goals (Job Opportunities, 2017).

Identified Description

The two identified positions are Vice President/Chief Operating Officer and Director of Quality/Risk Management.  The critical care hospital, located twelve miles from my home, is a 43 bed with a three bed ICU, obstetrical department, and a four-suite surgical center. 

The Vice President/Chief Operating Officer position requires a Master’s Degree with five years of relevant management experience and reports directly to the President.  This position oversees the physician practices, ancillary departments, regulatory compliance, and performance improvement (Job Opportunities, 2017).

The second possible position is the Director of Quality/Risk Management requires a Bachelor’s degree with a Master’s preferred.  Ten years or progressive operating management skills and a strong clinical background are necessary.  The successful candidate with have a history of managing both physician and employee relations and a strong knowledge base of process improvement techniques including both Continuous Quality Improvement and Lean Six Sigma (Job Opportunities, 2017). Both positions match my management history and educational background.

Application and Interview Plan

The online application appeared very streamlined but must be printed and mailed following completion. The position postings provide the same email address to send an inquiry and resume.  The opportunity to make solid impression and gain an interview is limited based on the methods being utilized to acquire potential candidates.  The quality of the resume or curriculum vitae must be complete but concise to gain attention with this type of process.  Dean (2016) indicated the addition of a personal mission statement tailored to the position and the utilization of active words will gain the attention of the reader.

Prior to attending the interview, I would review the mission and vision of the organization and ensure they correlate with my personal values.  I would research initiatives, quality awards, and leadership biographies as well.  This process would ensure I could develop some appropriate, insightful questions to ask during the interview process. 

At this level of position, I would anticipate an initial interview followed by a tour of the facility.  Following this. a group interview with organizational leaders would be anticipated followed by at least one interview at the corporate headquarters.   Each additional interview would be contingent on success with the previous interview.  

Conveying Qualifications

Successful candidates present their work history, themselves, and successes positively.  Walden Career Services (2017) indicate candidates must demonstrate their passion for their field, manage their online professionalism through the appropriate use of social media, and follow up interviews with a note of appreciation. 

Prior to the interview process, I would prepare outlines of the quality improvement processes I have implemented and successes with managed colleagues.  I would use the knowledge acquired about the organization to correlate the application of similar processes within their organization.  I would also ask about opportunities to job shadow individuals in a variety of roles throughout the organization to complete my assessment of correlation with my personal values.

Summary

A job search can be a fulltime job.  Managing your online image must be accomplished long before beginning a job search. Finding an organization with values that match your personal values, mutual goals, and in a conducive geographical area can be challenging.  This challenge increases when one is not willing to move.  After locating an appropriate position, selling yourself and your strengths are essential to success. 

References

Dean, E. (2016). MAKE A CV WORK HARDER. Nursing Standard, 30(23), 63.

HealtheCareers. (2013). Nursing jobs. Retrieved from http://www.healthecareers.com/nursing-jobs

Job opportunities. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/charlevoixjobs

Nursing Jobs. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.nursingjobs.org/

Walden Career Services. (2017). Retrieved from www.academicguides.walden.edu/career services

Wang, L., Xu, H., Zhang, X., & Fang, P. (2017). The relationship between emotion regulation strategies and job search behavior among fourth-year university students. Journal Of Adolescence, 59139-147. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.06.004