RN New Grad- can't find a job!

U.S.A. California

Published

Hi all,

Newbie here. I graduated last month and have been applying like crazy and can't seem to land a job. :oAny suggestions? I'm beginning to think my IP is worthless. I plan on taking my boards sometime next month. Any tips on studying for the NCLEX?:specs:

Thanks all!

Specializes in Med-surgical; telemetry; STROKE.
While I would LOVE to have more recognition of this problem (licensed nurses who can't find jobs) in the media--I'm so tired of hearing the other story about the nursing shortage and how we need to educate more nurses, which persists even in this area--the problem is not that the jobs that would be going to new grads are going to foreign nurses instead. We aren't going to win any credibility points trying to play that card. Also, there are still areas of the country where it is easy for new grads to find jobs, so it isn't that new grads can't find jobs "in USA"--I know there are lots of people who can't leave the area for one reason or another, but that's not the same thing as not being able to find jobs in the USA.

Good luck to everyone who is job-seeking. I know you never thought you would be in this situation as a nurse.

I applied for one of the hospitals in Nevada and didn't get even confirmation that the HR received my resume, cover letter, etc.

Wendy, what areas still need newgrads?

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Specializes in ICU.

Its the same still out here in az, I finished school in early aug, had my license by early sept., and still no job. Actually was a able to have a few interviews but no luck. I have even tryed nursing homes in my area, and still no luck. The only new grads getting jobs out here are the ones who went to a hospital sponsored programs because they have a contract with them, if there even still get hired. But have even heard that experinced rns cant even get jobs here now since almost all the hospitals are on a hiring freeze since no one is paying there bills with the way the economys has turned. My sister who is also a nurse said that some of the hospitals have even broke there contracts with travelers since they couldn't afford to keep them. I never figured it would be like this after finishing school.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

Are most of you ticked off because you can't find that "perfect" job in the Bay Area or just upset you can't find a job period? If most of you just get off of this whining jag about not being able to work exactlly where you want to work and just look around in other areas you just might find something. Being a new grad doesn't give you that door-opening advantage that others have enjoyed over the years. To get that experience that ALL employers want you have to think outside the box. Go to other areas for awhile to gain the experience and then think about the areas you would like to live in later. I just got off a web site for a hospital in the Sierras that had 15 job postings for M/S and encouraged new grads to apply. I am not sure how often they update the site, but they have to have at least half of these still available. Wake up and look around! The jobs are there if you really want them.

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Specializes in Med-surgical; telemetry; STROKE.
Are most of you ticked off because you can't find that "perfect" job in the Bay Area or just upset you can't find a job period? If most of you just get off of this whining jag about not being able to work exactlly where you want to work and just look around in other areas you just might find something. Being a new grad doesn't give you that door-opening advantage that others have enjoyed over the years. To get that experience that ALL employers want you have to think outside the box. Go to other areas for awhile to gain the experience and then think about the areas you would like to live in later. I just got off a web site for a hospital in the Sierras that had 15 job postings for M/S and encouraged new grads to apply. I am not sure how often they update the site, but they have to have at least half of these still available. Wake up and look around! The jobs are there if you really want them.

Hi Shodobe.

The situation is more serious than you might think.

There are so many of us right now that hospitals can be very picky. I was very stubborn right after I finished my school and when a recruiter called and asked me if I want to attend an interview for med surg, I politely refused saying that I applied for labor and delivery unit (same hospital) and would like to wait. I am very flexible now. I would be glad to begin my nursing career on med surg or any other floor, but nobody returns my calls.

Some of the recruiters explained this mystery saying that they look for experience in the field: l&D for l&D, med surg for med surg, etc.

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Are most of you ticked off because you can't find that "perfect" job in the Bay Area or just upset you can't find a job period? If most of you just get off of this whining jag about not being able to work exactlly where you want to work and just look around in other areas you just might find something. Being a new grad doesn't give you that door-opening advantage that others have enjoyed over the years. To get that experience that ALL employers want you have to think outside the box. Go to other areas for awhile to gain the experience and then think about the areas you would like to live in later. I just got off a web site for a hospital in the Sierras that had 15 job postings for M/S and encouraged new grads to apply. I am not sure how often they update the site, but they have to have at least half of these still available. Wake up and look around! The jobs are there if you really want them.

It's easy for some and harder for others, especially those whose husbands have to stay at work in the area or children, to relocate. Although I myself have decided to relocate for awhile to get some much needed experience, I cannot really expect others to do the same...we are all in different circumstances . I see your point though, but sometimes people just need to get things off of their chest...

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.
It's easy for some and harder for others, especially those whose husbands have to stay at work in the area or children, to relocate. Although I myself have decided to relocate for awhile to get some much needed experience, I cannot really expect others to do the same...we are all in different circumstances . I see your point though, but sometimes people just need to get things off of their chest...

I agree it is very difficult to move and relocate to another city. It seems that there are a number that complain about not finding a job that are fixated on one location. These are from people who are moving from other locations, such as the east coast. They need to think outside their area of interest because there are jobs out there. The Bay area is becoming the Mecca of nursing, I don't know why, and everyone wants to live there(extremely expensive). This gives the employers the upper hand on who they hire. The Bay area is not experiencing a nursing shortage and probbaly won't for a long time.

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Specializes in Pediatric ICU.

Enloe in Chico is very new grad friendly! Just apply for any med/surg position.

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Specializes in ER.

So what about new grads in orange county??

anyone having any better luck than me? i keep getting the same response that i need to keep checking online for openings and that it is best to check each day so i can ensure I'm the first one to apply...well i've been checking 6 major hospitals in orange county EVERY day since september and have only been able to apply to two. one never returned any of my phone calls and the other one (which only had an opening on one unit) said that they wouldn't be able to give me an interview because too many people applied for the position.

i'm graduating with a BSN and one of the main reasons i got it instead of ADN was I heard it was more favorable and looks better to employers(not that ADNs are bad). so whats the deal? where are the jobs???

this is getting very frustrating!

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I agree it is very difficult to move and relocate to another city. It seems that there are a number that complain about not finding a job that are fixated on one location. These are from people who are moving from other locations, such as the east coast. They need to think outside their area of interest because there are jobs out there. The Bay area is becoming the Mecca of nursing, I don't know why, and everyone wants to live there(extremely expensive). This gives the employers the upper hand on who they hire. The Bay area is not experiencing a nursing shortage and probbaly won't for a long time.

I just went to an info meeting for Samuel Merritt College in Oakland.. I have applied for their 2nd degree ABSN program.. The director said that they are getting their students now to get their resume together in January and start handing it out.. These are the students that will graduate in May and that the hospitals are not hiring now without a license.. She said that you have to be willing to take anything and have to work to get a job... That is all okay -- the only scary thing is that there school costs 50 thousand just for tuition and it is accelerated- you cannot work.. Typical loan is 75,000.. So in this situation I am guessing the graduates would need to get bay area wages to pay those high student loans.. They said that nurses aren't retiring as fast as they thought with the economy and I guess with the high salaries the bay area is getting a flux of experienced nurses in.... anyway just wanted to add what I had heard.....

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I just checked that out.. sounds very nice.. Do you know anything about their wages? I was looking at their reimbursement program.. Said they would pay for last year.. wonder if they would pay for a one year program.. think I will check it out.. thanks

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Enloe in Chico is very new grad friendly! Just apply for any med/surg position.

I just checked that out.. sounds very nice.. Do you know anything about their wages? I was looking at their reimbursement program.. Said they would pay for last year.. wonder if they would pay for a one year program.. think I will check it out.. thanks :yeah:

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Specializes in med surgical.

I have applied for a couple of months now but no response. Worse

thing is that I heard some of my classmates even got the jobs

I was applying for. I am happy for them, but can't help wondering

why I did wrong. Oh!! :cry:

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