New Grad feeling like a failure...

Nurses New Nurse

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Hello. I am a new graduate with my MSN (I completed my RN-MSN together out of state). I have six months of experience as an RN. But I am struggling...I have filled out over 150 applications, with only two interviews. Am I ever going to be hired? How long do I hold out for? When does Nebraska come into play (I currently live in Utah)? Any advice would be amazing!

Thank you.

Nikki

Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho, Acute Care Rehab.

Congrats on getting your MSN...It is tough out there...Don't loose hope and continue to keep your head up...Something with come up eventually at the right time...God Bless...:)

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Keep trying... I know that sounds cliche! I graduated in May 2010 and did not get a job until this past March. It's a great job though and I'm learning a lot! But, it did take almost a year to get it! :/ With your 6 months experience you will be GREAT in interviews! With me, I was a nervous wreck b/c I had absolutely zero experiences as an RN to talk about or fall back on. You will be just fine girl :) Good luck, keep us updated!

I feel your pain. I have become so frustrated I'm a mix between crying and prayer. I have been a LVN for 3 years and just completed my RN degree. I have applied everywhere. Most employers want experience and aren't glancing at my LVN experience. I've been told I need to do an internship by the big hospitals so I applied for 4 at Baylor and have been told no on 3 with no explaination why. Looking for an applicant that better matches the requirements: grad of accredited RN school, yes; ability to obtain RN license, yes I've taken and passed NCLEX; CPR, YES! I'm to the point of applying as a LVN for a hospital job just to get my foot in. I am currently working at my job of 2+ yrs but am making $0.50 more than what I was offered for an LVN position 2 yrs ago. Help! Any advice?

Thank you for the replies everyone. Sometimes it is difficult to be optimistic.

I am going drop into HR departments next week and see what the future looks like!

It took me several months to get my first job as a nurse. I would strongly suggest finding out who is doing the hiring for the position, and popping in with your resume, even if the position is an online app. It's a must in a slow job market. I just walked in and chatted with nurse managers, and had interviews offered on the spot. Stay positive!

I tried that 2 weeks ago. I went to all the places I applied. It wasn't pretty. The first place I stopped, I told the receptionist that I had put in an application and wanted to talk to someone in HR. He told me how to get there and I stopped outside the office because the woman was on the phone. Her assistant asked me what I wanted and I explained. She became very irritated asking "Who let you back here? They know they're not supposed to do that anymore. Was it the man or the woman? It's all onlne. We'll contact YOU." Then she led me to another receptionist who verified my contact info. Another place told me they were on a hirin freeze dt low census. The others just kept saying to check up online. It's been a month. It's so disheartening. :confused:

I got the same thing...Fill it the applications online, only call if you have questions.

I am going to mail each hospital a copy of my resume with a personalized cover letter. Telling them why they should hire me and how many positions I have applied to at their organization. I am also going to include a picture of myself, making the process more personal. They might throw it out and go through all their computer forms, but at least I can say I tried something different.

For the month of July I applied to over 35 jobs with one interview...::crying2:

I finally had an interview on Tuesday. They said they're interviewing 4 and I was the third. I'm supposed to hear back some time next week. Should I be sending in a thank you letter for the interview? There were two that interviewed me. I'm also waiting to hear from an internship position from a bigger hospital. I'm so afraid I will get a job at one, then qualify for the internship in September. It's a much bigger hospital and closer to my house.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
I finally had an interview on Tuesday. They said they're interviewing 4 and I was the third. I'm supposed to hear back some time next week. Should I be sending in a thank you letter for the interview? There were two that interviewed me. I'm also waiting to hear from an internship position from a bigger hospital. I'm so afraid I will get a job at one, then qualify for the internship in September. It's a much bigger hospital and closer to my house.

Definitely send a thank you note. Why would you even consider NOT sending one? You want to make a positive impression -- and keep that positive impression in their minds as they make their hiring decision. You want to stand out as being great, not fade away into the woodwork.

i was wondering where everyone was located? I am finishing up my final semester this coming fall, and I am in NYC, all my friends who graduated the in the last year found jobs, not right away but within the year. And now im worried that will there still be openings when i graduate? And, how come theres so many negative articles and post's about job placement, just curious where exactly in the US is hiring and where it's not? Hopefully, I'm in an area that is!

Everyone should stay positive, i've learned that the only way people acknowledge your efforts, and skills is when you do them with confidence! An interview alone requires skills in communication, so confidence is key in landing any position your interviewing for!

Definitely send a thank you note. Why would you even consider NOT sending one? You want to make a positive impression -- and keep that positive impression in their minds as they make their hiring decision. You want to stand out as being great, not fade away into the woodwork.

Thank you for your comment. I don't know why I hesitated in the first place! I have since sent out thank you letters to the two who interviewed (same job.) My current job i a madhouse! We had a mock survey that they just had to stop because it was so bad. My interview was tuesday then we had a staff meeting on wednes to address all the stuff from the survey. My mind is just on a million things, but the thank you letter is very important!

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