Can't find a job!!! Not a "new grad" anymore! :( HELP.

Nurses New Nurse

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I graduated in 2007 and got my license in June 2008. I just had my 2nd baby and have been actively searching for a job for about 6-7 months. NO ONE HAS EVEN CALLED ME!!!

I have my BLS for HC providers. I don't have any job experience except retail. I have had my rotations in different hospitals which is listed on my resume.

I live in the Bay Area, California (San Jose). I'm so frustrated because most jobs require 6 months-2 years experience. New grad programs are requiring that you graduated within a year from this year or something.

I've applied to HUNDREDS of positions. I don't know what else I can do. I've called recruiters, faxed resumes, emailed. Hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers, etc. etc. etc.

I thought when I got my license, it would be the BEST thing that could happen to my family. I would get a job, we would get a house, etc. etc. etc. We aren't doing terribly, but I want to WORK! I am a stay at home mom who sits and watches re runs of Grey's Anatomy and ER in envy of the nurses LOL.

Is ANYONE else experiencing this job drought??? I feel so alone and UNWANTED by the nursing community, please tell me it's not just me...and please give me some advice!

Thanks.

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When I got tired of being unemployed in your area, I moved, and got two jobs when I walked in the door.

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Where did you move????? My husband and I are planning on moving if I don't get anything by July.

When I got tired of being unemployed in your area, I moved, and got two jobs when I walked in the door.
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Yep, you can get one here fast, we got plenty of jobs here. If you are interested in Lawton, OK let me know.

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Southern Cali. But be prepared for culture shock. The pay is lower and the environment will never be as pleasant as the Bay area.

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My husband's family live in the Orange County area.

I will probably start looking around down south or places like Bakersfield, Tracy, Stockton, Salinas.......

I can't believe how hard it is to get a job here in the bay. It's so frustrating.

Southern Cali. But be prepared for culture shock. The pay is lower and the environment will never be as pleasant as the Bay area.
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My husband's family live in the Orange County area.

I will probably start looking around down south or places like Bakersfield, Tracy, Stockton, Salinas.......

I can't believe how hard it is to get a job here in the bay. It's so frustrating.

Don't bother with Salinas or Monterey. I moved to San Jose when I couldn't find work there.

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Really? Thanks for the advice.

Don't bother with Salinas or Monterey. I moved to San Jose when I couldn't find work there.
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I'm trying to stay in the California area, but I am keeping out of state opportunities in mind.

Yep, you can get one here fast, we got plenty of jobs here. If you are interested in Lawton, OK let me know.
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How much experience and what kind of certifications did you hold upon applying for the jobs?

When I got tired of being unemployed in your area, I moved, and got two jobs when I walked in the door.
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LVN with 15 years experience. Nobody wants LVNs when there is an RN around. Same everywhere. I've found there is work for LVNs when the employer wants to pay low wages. An RN has been unable to find work in the Salinas area for more than two years according to a friend. I could have told her that she needs to go elsewhere. People stay in the same job until they retire. New grads move immediately once they graduate. It is also getting hard to get work in the LA area, but it is still possible.

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I was in the same position, not too long ago... There are various reasons that hospitals won't hire 'stale' new grads. First, even though nursing school is rigorous and you learn a lot, you also forget a lot of what you learned unless you quickly enter the profession and have everything reinforced. It's your first year or two on the job where you gain all the experience that makes you valuable.

There are a few ways I discovered to enter nursing with no experience. You can take a refresher course; some community colleges offer them as do some nursing schools. Some hospitals offer programs that achieve the same results. Contact local hospitals and ask the nurse recruiter if they have a retraining program. I know this sounds like a horrible option-- after all, you just went through at least two years of intense nursing school.

Another possibility is to volunteer with an agency that provides medical care to the underserved. From these positions you have something to add to your resume. This worked for me: I was able to find a job based on my experience as a nurse volunteer. I know... you still don't like this option!

OK... Another suggestion is that you apply for CNA positions and work into nursing roles. Yep, another bad option, huh? I know a couple nurses who did this to reenter the field. It feels like taking two steps back, but it worked for both of them. Both were offered RN jobs within six months.

We assume that with the nursing shortage and all that time, effort and money spent in nursing school, hospitals should be anxious to hire us. Now that I am working as a nurse, I realize what a bad decision it was to postpone employment after graduation. It took a long time on the job to catch up to where I was upon graduation (in regard to skills, understanding of medical conditions, and confidence). You probably believe that you are as capable, efficient and skilled as you were a year ago when you were fresh out of nursing school--I know I did! (but I see now how wrong I was.) I know my suggestions don't sound great, but I was in your position not too long ago and I had to make choices that I didn't feel were fair. My other piece of advice is to do something NOW before it becomes two years or three years since you graduated... it will become almost impossible to find a job at that point. Good luck to you!

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