Frustrated new grad with NO job opportunities

PACIFICWHALES · Jul 11, 2008

Dear heart,

I'm in Ohio, new grad Rn. Where are you in CA? I am moving back over there? I'm keeping you in my prayers.

What's temporary license? I looked around Ca, some people are hiring. Willing to give up hospitals that called me...

:nuke:

suzanne4, RN · Jul 12, 2008

CA issues a temporary license provided that one has a license in another state, until they receive the transcripts from nursing school, etc. The temporary license is only valid for 180 days and then expires.

-------------------------

The big problem that you are having is that the new grad programs have already started and they only start several times per year. Many apply several months out before they even graduate, so suspect that most of the positions were already gone when you got out here.

Where exactly have you applied? That would be easier to tell you what to do next. And what are you willing to do? Chances of finding what the dream job is at this time of year is going to be slim to none. But there are many other avenues available for you to try. But again, it would be easier knowing what you have done.

Feel free to send me an e-mail or pm if you do not want to post it here.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2008

You might want to try the LTC facilities until you can get into the hospitals....I'm assuming you want to work in the hospital...but if you're in need of money then I suggest going to the LTC facilities because they're ALWAYS HIRING!!!...Get your feet wet, and then move to the hospitals when you can....You might be lucky and only have to work there a few months and then might be able to get into the hospitals......At the LTC facilities you and the LVN are the same (except pay & scope of practice) and you'll be called to another unit there if there is something that needs to be done out of the scope of practice of the LVN....Good Luck!

PetuniaRN · Jul 15, 2008

I appreciate all of your comments. I have applied to Hoag, Western Medical, UCI Irvine, Saddleback, Mission Hospital, and multiple nursing homes, surgical centers, dermatology offices, etc. I fear you all are right--I just got here at the wrong time and didn't know we would be coming far enough in advance to get into the new grad programs. There are some starting in August, Sept, and October. I look everyday and today happened upon a few new grad listings and IMMEDIATELY applied even though they are not my "dream" job. I guess the problem was I had expectations that weren't realistic!! But please cross your fingers that one of these places will call me back for an interview. I guess the worst part is the blow to self-esteem when you can't find a job and sit at home most of the day. I am trying to stay optimistic. Again, thanks for the kind words. :nurse:

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2008

You are just applying everywhere and anywhere....at least you can say that you're actively looking and are not limiting yourself like most are....

I wanted toooooooo bad to get into the acute care that I didn't care which floor I would work in as long as I got into the acute care...When I finally got an interview with my current job, I went in and was told it was for Mother/Baby, and I was kinda disappointed, but I figured well let me get my foot in the door and then I can move into med-surg later on. I just needed my foot in the door. Well I got hired and I LOVE IT!!!!!...Would I want to move down to med-surg...HECK NO....Even though you want ICU, you never know, you might up liking the unit that you're hired for.....Keep looking, something will come up soon.....But also keep in mind that usually it takes time for one to get called for an interview and get hired....Between my interview and hire date there was a 6 week lapse.....GOOD LUCK!!!!

ck_nurse · Aug 7, 2008

Hi May08

I too, just moved to Southern CA from VA and am having a really hard time finding a job (i applied to almost all of the ones you did). Worse for me is that my NCLEX test date isnt until sep 12, which i am sure does not help (i was planning to take it earlier but didnt feel ready d/t the move from VA). i thought i couldn't get a job because i had a bsn and they'd might have to pay more. who knows. the economy is really bad here right now.

Please let us know if you found anything. inquiring minds want to know. :wink2: Good luck to you!

ck :typing (thats me applying to jobs) lol

suzanne4, RN · Aug 9, 2008

Hi May08
I too, just moved to Southern CA from VA and am having a really hard time finding a job (i applied to almost all of the ones you did). Worse for me is that my NCLEX test date isnt until sep 12, which i am sure does not help (i was planning to take it earlier but didnt feel ready d/t the move from VA). i thought i couldn't get a job because i had a bsn and they'd might have to pay more. who knows. the economy is really bad here right now.
Please let us know if you found anything. inquiring minds want to know. :wink2: Good luck to you!
ck :typing (thats me applying to jobs) lol

It has nothing at all to do with having the BSN, pay is less than a dollar more for that, and some do not pay more for it. What is hurting you is not having the NCLEX exam already passed, most want to see that done before even offering a job now.

I would focus on passing that exam right now as that will give you little better odds of landing a job.

Best of luck to you.

ck_nurse · Aug 9, 2008

thanks suzanne, you're probably right. i know back home new grads were getting hired with IPs, maybe that's not the case here. maybe i will use the extra time to get my pals and acls done. couldn't hurt. :yawn:

AviatrixRN · Aug 10, 2008

Ok, so I graduated in May 08 from a school in SC and got my RN license there. Then we moved to California later that month and I applied for a Cali license. I now have my temporary CA license and CANNOT find a job. I missed out on all the new grad programs in my area because they started around June 23 and my license wasn't issued until June 17! Now I cannot find a job anywhere and the recruiters at the hospitals are not very helpful or friendly. I am willing to work in any hospital in Orange County, but no luck. My dream job is in the ICU at a trauma level one teaching hospital because I worked as a student nurse technician in one in SC. They were willing to hire me, but we had to move for my husband's job. I am so frustrated and disheartened here. I have put out so many resumes and joined so many sites. Please help me if you have any ideas. I am an ADN by the way. Rent is killing us here since I am not working.

Hello and welcome to Cali!

After 1 1/2 yrs of med/surg experience I returned to my airline job. I am going to be layed off again so have started to put the feelers out for another full time RN position. Did you happen to attend the nursing career fair this past week at the Disneyland Hotel. All the local hospitals were there and it seemed like they were all actively recruiting new grads. If you missed it you may want to attend Hoag's New Grad Open House..It's going to be on Sept 22. I know that is kind of a long ways away when you are looking for a job but it's an idea anyway. It's a great way to get your "face out there" to the nurse managers. I have several friends that work there and they love it. If you want more info pm me and I will look at the flyer and see what time it starts (can't remember off the top of my head).

I am going..the nurse recruiter told me to go even though I am no longer a new grad.

Anyway, I just thought that might help. Good luck to you in your search!

CaArmyWife · Aug 10, 2008

Keep applying!! A friend of mine from nursing school worked in a Psych facility after nursing school because she was not able to be hired at a hospital; after applying and applying she ended up getting a job at a local hospital here.

PetuniaRN · Aug 13, 2008

Hi May08
I too, just moved to Southern CA from VA and am having a really hard time finding a job (i applied to almost all of the ones you did). Worse for me is that my NCLEX test date isnt until sep 12, which i am sure does not help (i was planning to take it earlier but didnt feel ready d/t the move from VA). i thought i couldn't get a job because i had a bsn and they'd might have to pay more. who knows. the economy is really bad here right now.
Please let us know if you found anything. inquiring minds want to know. :wink2: Good luck to you!
ck :typing (thats me applying to jobs) lol

Well, welcome to California!!

I have recently come across some good news...I got a job :bow: ! I don't start until September sometime, but I will be at Saddleback (right...by...my...house!). They were actually the only place that called me back--except I actually got a call from UCIrvine while I was parking at Saddleback to go to my interview. They offered to interview me for a position in my dream job(ICU) but they said it wouldn't start until January. I politely told her I would be happy to interview, but I am looking for something sooner. She said she didn't want to do all the paperwork if I might just find another job so she told me to reapply in like early November if I was still interested. So you apply there! The key to finding open positions for new grads there is to click on each job number. It will open another window that shows pay rate, specific duties, etc. It will also say in BOLD letters that it is for a clinical I or clinical II. So these are their equivalent of "new grad" jobs. They are hidden and sneaky. Look, they had tons. So good luck.

And not that you asked, :coollook: but my advice on the NCLEX is to take it ASAP and not to wait if you don't have to. Knowledge slips piece by piece as time slips by. I want you to be successful and I think waiting (if you don't have to) could be detrimental. Honestly, I passed the first time, but I walked out saying I felt incompetent and lost on over half of the questions. They seemed to be so different from all the ERI and practice tests and review course questions. So good luck. And let me know if you need any additional info or help :redpinkhe