Right- before I hit send, should I REALLY apply for this job (newly qualified nurses most welcome to respond!)

[tiredemma]

I saw a job on the nhs site earlier this week for Band 5 nurses (even NQ with no experience) to apply for a job on a Child and adolescent mental health ward. I phoned up the ward manager to see if I was being a bit premature in applying ( I qualify in the summer) and he had a chat about what I had done so far etc and said, yes apply, it may take months for CRB, Occy health to come through anyway.

So i decided to apply, I have filled the form in to send etc, but feeling a bit unsure. I cant work out if its because im unsure about the specialist area that it is or whether its because its my first 'real' application and im worried that if my application is rejected in the first round then it will knock my confidence and make me too scared to apply for other roles that come up.

Does that make sense? It has taken me 2 years of college and almost 3 years of University to get to the point where I am finally able to apply for a qualified nurses role, and all of a sudden- to be blunt, im bricking it.

I think you should apply and just see what happens. Even if you don't get it, the interview would be good experience.

It could be ages before they interview and so you can think about it, weigh it up and then if they do offer it to you, you can always say no.

Yes but im more scared that I wont even get as far as an interview. It will knock my confidence for six im sure.

This feels awful, really it does, dont know why but the thought of applying for jobs is terrifying me.

sorry not a nurse or anything, but have had loads of different job and am quite good at applications.

It is ALWAYS worth applying; you should get used to not being shortlisted. They will honestly be sitting there with the person description and your application ticking what you have/ haven't got. The trick is to apply for loads all at once so you don't fixate on the odd one, and when (if!) you don't get an interview you can think, 'oh well, there's always that other one...'

So my (quite unclear sorry) point is - yes! apply!

Definetly apply.

If you don't get shortlisted its not always due to your application. Me and my friends once applied for a job (several jobs available) and 2 of them got interviews, I didn't and 2 of my friends didn't either. I was gutted. Then 2 months later I got a letter asking me for an interview, turns ot they had so many applicants they couldn't cope with all the forms.

Look at the essential qualities and desire qualities lists in the job description and make sure you cover all those points in your application form.

done. gone.

eek.

...if the unit manager said he was happy for you to apply then he meant it. Believe me, he will have discouraged you if he were not willing to consider you, as if you fit the job specification (and for a new Band 5 that consists, basically, of a pulse and a PIN number) he will either have to interview you or explain to HR why not....

...it is frightening when you first qualify. But be reassured. No-one really expects you to know very much. You will be supported, especially in a unit of this nature. Admittedly my only experience of such a unit was a placement as part of a Paediatric conversion course, but staffing ratios are high, and you will be closely supervised and mentored.

...qualifying does not mean that you know everything. It simply means that you have the basic grounding upon which knowledge relevant to your chosen area can be built.

....so apply for it. You may well get it. Don't be afraid of putting in applications 'on spec' either, to other areas that might appeal. The likelihood is that most places of any size will have a band 5 vacancy at some point between now and the summer, you might as well beat the advert.

...you will get a job. Newly qualified nurses are (a) enthusiastic and (b) cheap. Managers like both of those qualities....

...just re-read that.

It was meant to sound supportive! Try again...

..glad you have applied. From the sound of things you have a good chance, but even if you don't get it really don't worry. Plenty of good places will need and want you...

Thanks Rg