Opportunities for a Lifetime with Duke, Your Whole Life Has Been Leading To This… Now What?

For many, the college experience is one of the most challenging and exciting times in life – a unique opportunity to learn and grow, to gain exposure to new people and ideas, and to develop skills and perspectives that will influence the rest of your life. Not surprisingly, these are the exact same opportunities and rewards we desire as we approach graduation, and set our sights on beginning our professional careers.

So, you’re about to graduate, or recently have. Now what? Even in robust job markets, the process of identifying the job or company that best matches your professional skills and goals can be confusing and a little daunting. But now, in these challenging economic times, it’s even more critical that job-seekers clearly focus on courting not only the right potential employers, but also on approaching them the right way.

Many students begin their search by considering the most highlyregarded and prominent organizations in their fields – desiring to work for and with the best of the best. For nurses, allied health professionals, and other seeking employment in today’s still burgeoning healthcare industry – that road often leads to Duke Medicine.

With six incredible facilities (with three hospitals achieving Magnet designation), 30 comprehensive specialties and the world-class education and research resources of Duke University, Duke Medicine is among America’s truly elite healthcare networks. Duke’s variety and quality of challenge and reward draw the nation’s top talent, offering more than just jobs – providing true opportunities for a lifetime.

So, for those aspiring to help lead the next generation of health care advancement, how do you break through the clutter of candidates, and truly position yourself as the perfect candidate for that open position with your ideal employer?

Duke Medicine Recruiter, LanToya Hobbs shares some valuable insight and tips on how to approach, and what to expect from, the application and hiring process at Duke.

Q: Why should I choose Duke, over other career destinations?

Nowhere else will you find such complete opportunities for a lifetime. No matter how high or wide your ambitions are, you can achieve excellence here, without ever leaving the Duke system. Great flexibility, benefits, development – it’s all right here.

Q: How do I know what positions are available at Duke Medicine?

The first thing I would invite all potential candidates to do is visit our great careers web site at www.dukenursing.org. Here, you’ll find plenty of information about our system, and can search for available positions by location, area of specialty or keywords. Plus, you can apply directly online for positions that meet your skills and interest.

Q: What types of positions are in the greatest demand right now?

Needs are constantly changing in regards to openings within specific specialty areas. We encourage professionals in all specialties to visit our web site to view current openings.

Q: What exactly happens after I submit my resume to Duke?

Qualified candidates will be contacted by a recruiter, via phone or email to gather any additional information, and to ask about interview availability. A Human Resources Specialist will then coordinate an interview date for the applicant, based on the Nurse Manager’s availability. If the unit requires a shadow experience (approximately four hours per shadow session) then it is also coordinated into this visit and completed prior to interviewing with the nurse manager. After the interview (and unit-specific shadow), the candidate meets with a Nurse Recruiter to discuss benefit information. If references have been provided and confirmed, an offer could be extended, however the manager will typically interview several applicants before making a hiring decision. If an offer is extended, we typically allow a candidate 1-2 weeks to accept the offer.

Q: How long does the application process take?

Ideally, we can move a candidate from submission to acceptance in 2- 3 weeks. Depending on individual circumstances and schedules, this may take longer in some cases.

Q: What are the most important things you look for in a resume? We really look for resumes that reference previous and/or current clinical internships. We also look for anticipated graduation date, so that we can prioritize candidates.

Q: How can I best prepare for an interview with Duke Medicine?

Visit our web site to learn about our health system. We begin interviewing and offering positions to senior nursing students as early as six months prior to their graduation date, so apply early. During the interview process, you should ask questions – for example: what a typical day on the unit is like, opportunities for growth and development, when does the manager anticipate making a hiring decision, etc.

Q: What other qualities do you look for in a candidate? Most importantly, you have to have a positive attitude and a passion for providing excellent care. You must be open to feedback and willing to be flexible.

Q: Does Duke have any resources specifically for current students or recent grads?

Yes. For recent graduates that are hired, there is a unit-specific orientation that ranges from 8-16 weeks. After completion of unit orientation, nurses participate in our Nurse Residency Program. This program is designed to support the transition from student to professional nurse in the form of bimonthly sessions involving clinical topics as well as avenues for professional development.

Q: Does Duke offer internships or part-time opportunities?

Yes. Through our Professional Nursing Assistant Program, Duke offers a 10-week summer internship to rising junior and senior RN students. During this paid internship, students have the opportunity to develop positive mentoring relationships while working a 36-40 hr/wk rotating schedule. Specific details about the program and how to apply are located on our website.

Q: Do Duke recruiters make campus visits to my school or others near me?

Yes. Locally, we attend campus career days to speak to schools about our application process. For experienced RNs, we attend various national conferences throughout the year. A calendar of events is located on our web site.

You’ve invested a lot of time, energy and resources getting to this point in your life. Now, as you embark on the challenge of identifying and securing great career opportunities, it’s important to maintain the level of focus, determination and professionalism that have positioned you for success so far.

If you are truly dedicated to providing the highest level of quality care, and to becoming part of an organization that will help lead the future of healthcare, we invite you to learn more about the opportunities for a lifetime available with us at Duke Medicine. For more details, visit www.dukenursing.org today. Good luck!