What if you couldn't find a job?

[missvanrn]

Hi all--I graduated with BSN in May, recently took and passed NCLEX... and haven't been able to find a job.

(I spoke to several recruiters in January--they all said to apply in the spring and that I'd be able to name my start date, even after I specified that I was spending the month of July out of the country. When spring came around, very few new grad jobs were posted, and the one I interviewed for sounded like they were going to hire me until they asked when I could start. The employment picture must have changed a LOT between January and April.)

The thing is, we don't need the money to live on (I know, we should all be so lucky, right?) so there's no real urgency to finding a job, but I want one! I'm going a little crazy not working, and I feel like I'm wasting time that I could be using to earn money for savings and student loans.

I can't relocate to find work, but are there any other avenues I should look into? It doesn't make sense to me to look for LTC work--I don't plan to work in that field, and I still want a new-grad orientation.

Any advice? Or should I just figure on waiting until December? (!)

[llg, PhD, RN]

If you have your heart set on specific employers and they have no openings at the moment, then you will have to wait. However, I would stay in touch with them and let them know that you would be willing to start at any time. As the new grads hired during the summer fail boards, fail to complete orientation, or decide they don't want their jobs, there may be a few positions opening up in the fall.

Also, if a few nurses leave and the administration starts thinking about staffing for the Christmas holidays and winter flu season, they may open up a few positions because of anticipated additional needs.

You'll want to be at the top of the list to be considered for those positions that might open up. So stay in touch and let them know you can be flexible with your schedule, which unit you work on, etc. You also may have to compromis a little on the orientation, but you should still get a good orientation even if it is not a special program for new grads.

[pRNss808]

I'm in the same boat as you...Grad in May, passed just 3 weeks ago and still jobless. I'm not much in a hurry as well, but going crazy not working.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

i'm a may grad, but i moved around after graduation bc my husband is in the military. we're permanently going to california so i'm trying to get an internship there, but they're full or past the deadline.