New grad looking for internships in San Diego

U.S.A. California

Published

Hi! I'm looking for new grad internships in San Diego - the closer to the naval bases, the better. I just found out I'm moving there come this December. I'd really like a NICU internship, but the only reply so far from a recruiter was to tell me Sharp Mary Birch's NICU internship is full. Sigh. :/ I'll take L&D, any type of nurseries, but nooo peds besides infants.

Suninmyheart

186 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry, Hospice, Home Health.
Hi! I'm looking for new grad internships in San Diego - the closer to the naval bases, the better. I just found out I'm moving there come this December. I'd really like a NICU internship, but the only reply so far from a recruiter was to tell me Sharp Mary Birch's NICU internship is full. Sigh. :/ I'll take L&D, any type of nurseries, but nooo peds besides infants.

Apply to all the hospitals online. Follow-up with a phone call to the recruiter. If the recruiter forwards your resume to specific units find out the name of the nurse manager for the unit(s) and hand-deliver a copy of your resume and cover letter, along with an additional letter addressed to that units nurse manager. Include letters of recommendation and a copy of your license, cpr, acls, etc. A resume sent to a unit by the recruiter may just sit there on the NM's virtual desk top. It helps to stand out by hand-delivering your info. I did not ask to see the NM (I am sure they are busy) I just left my envelope in their mail slot on their office door. Some recruiters may frown on this so I just called the units to get the NM's names. I spent a month applying and talking to recruiters before I did this and it was only then, did I get an interview. (and got the job)

There is a huge nursing shortage - but for experienced nurses. A hospital can only fill so many slots with inexperienced nurses and the new grad market is saturated in San Diego. Most large metropolitan areas and areas that are desirable to live in are saturated and competitive. I am sure NICU is even more so.

Most of my friends back home got new grad jobs via knowing someone. Connections can go along way in landing a good job and nursing is not immune to this. I didn't know a soul when I moved to SD and I am thankful I finally got an offer that is challenging.

Good luck!

NeoNurseTX, RN

1,803 Posts

Specializes in NICU Level III.

I've applied like mad and called. Everything is full until August or so. I can't hand deliver anything because I live in Georgia right now so that is making this tough.

I had offers in the Texas Medical Center, but there I had connections because I did clinicals in those hospitals. Moving around took those away and now I feel like another face in the crowd. :(

piggylu

2 Posts

Have you tried the Naval Hospital?

http://www-nmcsd.med.navy.mil/command/jobs.cfm

NeoNurseTX, RN

1,803 Posts

Specializes in NICU Level III.
Have you tried the Naval Hospital?

http://www-nmcsd.med.navy.mil/command/jobs.cfm

Sure have! My husband's in the Navy, heh. Thanks though.

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