When do you go from being a "new grad" to an "old grad" w/o experience?

Nurses New Nurse

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

I feel like the longer I am out of school, the less likely I am to be hired. I graduated in May and haven't been able to find a job. I have applied to LTC, hospitals (every shift), flu clinics, etc. Now that people are graduating in Dec who will want to hire me???? I know I would prefer a fresh graduate instead of a graduate who has been out of school for over 6 months. Should I take a refresher course? I have tried to be strong but this isn't getting any easier. People keep saying to keep trying but I am getting so discouraged. I cried for about an hour last night. I don't know how much more I can take :cry:

btw, I know it is all my fault that my resume isn't good enough or my cover letter isn't good or I should be more open to different positions or I need to force HR to call me, blah, blah, blah. I have heard it all. Sorry....I'm just sick of people trying to blame this all on me. My husband even says the same thing. Oh and I know about the 100 positions available on so and so website...I applied to them all!

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I know the feeling all too well. I think I have applied to positions that were not even posted for an hour, it has consumed my life. Some days I sit in front of the computer and go from one hospital website to another. It's sad!! I have been strung along by hr and nurse managers at two different hospitals and they still don't have a position for me. It scares me too that there are new grads in like a week. I hate when I am waitressing or socializing and people say what do you mean you can't find a nursing job that's crazy, etc, etc. So just letting you know I'm hearing ya!!! :) and good luck!!!

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I feel your pain. I graduated dec of last year and since then, i've been hoping to get a hospital job. Unfortunately, no one wants to hire a new grad. I made a list of places I want to apply (even out of state) and kept on calling them on a daily basis. The response I get is either: "we already hired someone who is more qualified" or "we're only hiring experience nurses." Most of the time, I don't get a call back from nurse recruiters.

Probably, they already have someone in-line for the job (a friend, relative, family, etc). Its hard not to think about it, but it happens. Don't give up. Someday, we will get the job we wanted.

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I would also work on getting as many relevant certifications as possible that you can add to your resume, and learn a foreign language too (spanish!!!). I'm graduating this May, and I'm so not looking foward to this!

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I'm just finishing my first semester of an accelerated program and finding a job is something I've already thought about. Luckily I won't be having to worry about it any longer. I decided to join the Navy. They have a nursing corps and its a job for at least 4 years. When you're done you will be the top choice most likely at civilian hospitals because of the leadership experience you'll have already been exposed to. Plus you can live in some cool places almost completely on the governments bill! They have three HUGE hospitals and you get to put down in order of preference where you would like to be stationed initially. Personally I'm going to try for San Diego. The military might not be something you really want to do but it's a great option to look into. Great job experience, great leadership experience, and you'll be an officer (assuming you got a BSN). Def. something I would think about!

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I know what you mean. I graduated from last year May, life threw me some curve balls and i have not passed my exam as of yet, but never the less i have been looking for a job, even as CNA and all i am hearing is , " We can't help you, b/c you are not CNA certified", and i am like thinking to myself i have experience where i worked as a Nurse Tech, which to me is the same as a CNA for almost 5 years, like what more experience do they want me to have, and if the problem is so much b/c i am not certified, I'm like why should i spend extra money to go take a CNA class( which i don't have by the way) when i am already trained as a nurse, but just don't have my license now like i am supposed to. I feel like where else can i look, maybe i am not looking into the right places, and then the people in my life that think i am not trying to find a job or whatever, just makes it more frustrating to me.

With that said i welcome any advice, ideas or suggestions on what i can do, or what you may think i am doing wrong, as i am confused and frustrated at the moment!

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

I would consider the Navy if I didn't have two kids. I don't want to leave them for that long. As much as I love nursing, I love my kids much more. Thank you for the tip though! Sounds really interesting. I wanted to join the Peace Corps when I was younger. Unfortunately life got in the way ;).

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

There are other government options besides military, like the Indian Health Service (ihs.gov) and the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (usphs.gov/profession/nurse/). I think the USPHS requires a BSN, but IHS doesn't. Might be worth a look.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

Are you getting interviews? Is your resume a skills based resume? Are you willing to travel? It sounds like you have heard all the advice...what do YOU think the problem is??

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.
I know what you mean. I graduated from last year May, life threw me some curve balls and i have not passed my exam as of yet, but never the less i have been looking for a job, even as CNA and all i am hearing is , " We can't help you, b/c you are not CNA certified", and i am like thinking to myself i have experience where i worked as a Nurse Tech, which to me is the same as a CNA for almost 5 years, like what more experience do they want me to have, and if the problem is so much b/c i am not certified, I'm like why should i spend extra money to go take a CNA class( which i don't have by the way) when i am already trained as a nurse, but just don't have my license now like i am supposed to. I feel like where else can i look, maybe i am not looking into the right places, and then the people in my life that think i am not trying to find a job or whatever, just makes it more frustrating to me.

With that said i welcome any advice, ideas or suggestions on what i can do, or what you may think i am doing wrong, as i am confused and frustrated at the moment!

You don't have a license to practice, plain and simple the end. Study up and take your NCLEX

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I know what you mean. I graduated from last year May, life threw me some curve balls and i have not passed my exam as of yet, but never the less i have been looking for a job, even as CNA and all i am hearing is , " We can't help you, b/c you are not CNA certified", and i am like thinking to myself i have experience where i worked as a Nurse Tech, which to me is the same as a CNA for almost 5 years, like what more experience do they want me to have, and if the problem is so much b/c i am not certified, I'm like why should i spend extra money to go take a CNA class( which i don't have by the way) when i am already trained as a nurse, but just don't have my license now like i am supposed to. I feel like where else can i look, maybe i am not looking into the right places, and then the people in my life that think i am not trying to find a job or whatever, just makes it more frustrating to me.

With that said i welcome any advice, ideas or suggestions on what i can do, or what you may think i am doing wrong, as i am confused and frustrated at the moment!

I am in California, where if you attended an RN program, you can get a CNA license by showing up, taking the practical and written test. It is a lot of steps, but you do not have to attend a separate training program.

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I am in California, where if you attended an RN program, you can get a CNA license by showing up, taking the practical and written test. It is a lot of steps, but you do not have to attend a separate training program.

I just wanted to thank you for responding. I actually found out that i passed my exam and am so happy right now....

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