Graduate RN Job Search...

magnoliophyte · Sep 8, 2011

I'm in the same boat, you're not alone out there. I've been job hunting since I got my license in July and haven't even gotten an interview. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong either. Most of the time I don't even get the chance to follow up an application (like so many people suggest)... In fact, today I broke a new personal record. I received rejection notices from my applications in 2 hours!

They are unbelievably aggressive towards us, aren't they? That's the most frustrating part for me, personally. It feels like they are not willing to give me even a *chance*. Some key facts about me on paper are enough to write me off as worthless.

No one's suggestions of being aggressive in follow-ups are valid in the face of that kind of speedy rejection. Personally, I'm beginning to look into moving away from the larger cities to focus on more rural locations where there may be less HR aggressiveness towards new-grads.

ajt575s · Sep 9, 2011

Most of the new grads I know in Missouri have had good luck finding jobs, if you're willing/able to relocate. Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, and Springfield all have hospitals with new grad programs.

My other advice is to look beyond the hospitals. LTC, jails/prisons/correctional, health departments, clinics, etc. sometimes hire new grads. Some of my former classmates found jobs in other venues that pay much better than some of my classmates who have hospital jobs (myself included)!

RainMom · Sep 9, 2011

I'm in the same boat here in IL. I'm in a rural area & many of the other graduates in my class have found jobs, but I decided to take off this summer to spend with my kids. I had expected to find something I could start about the time school started for my sons this fall, but no luck yet. I've been pretty picky though, sticking to just the local hospitals, but I graduated at the top of my class with an outstanding GPA, so never expected that it would take so long to just get an interview. I have an application being reviewed at my first choice of hospitals (according to the status on their website) so am hoping to hear something soon. However, much longer & I will definitely have to start looking into LTC or maybe getting an IN license & travel a little farther.

Total frustration!

NENE RN · Sep 9, 2011

I just graduated not too long ago. I stayed at my hospital as a tech to increase my chances of getting on or being transfered to a unit as a nurse. My applications state transfered on the top. I haven't had an interview. It doesn't seem like anyone else that I know that workes/ed at the hospital has even had to go through what I am going to almost all have been offered jobs upon passing the boards. Stressed yes but I know that Im blessed. I have been through some hard times and everything has worked out. I believe that this will work out too. Keep praying.

magnoliophyte · Sep 9, 2011

It's very hard to stay positive, but I think we all must. I've found exercising every morning to really help my attitude for the rest of the day. You never know when you will need those endorphines for a good interview either!

I'm finding my branching out to more rural areas in the state that I live to be a little more hopeful, as they don't outright reject my apps and even some listings say they can take a new grad or two. If you live in a big city, look outside of it...

And yes, LTC just might be the way to go. Getting any experience is better than none and will at the very least set you apart from the legions of new-grads that come out every 5-6 months!

prepcub · Sep 27, 2011

Kansas City is pretty saturated...but if you are patient you will likely find one. I am looking hard and had interviews but nothing yet. Classmates have taken 2-3 months on average. Dunno about other areas in MO.