Can't get a job as new RN

U.S.A. Florida

Published

Hello all,

I'm hoping someone will be able to help me...I'm a brand new RN in Orlando, FL and I've been looking for a hospital job for the last 5 months with no luck. Every job opening I see requires you to have at least 1 year of hospital experience but no one will hire me. I've applied to about 200 jobs and nothing....every recruiter/HR dept tells me it is because I don't have experience. Anyone else around here going through this?? :o

Hey, I had quite a few classmates that WORKED for baycare all through nursing school who had challenges finding positions. I really don't know what kind of advice to give but I know that I'm always looking for a second job and fully acknowledge that I won't be able to find one until I have a full year of experience under my belt. Then my options open up.

Hi, NRSNFL! Would you recommend EAYL? I've just applied and not sure what to expect. Did you get what you wanted in terms of unit/hours when you completed school? I'm nervous for the interview portion...eeek! Any advice?

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Specializes in med surgical.

I can't agree more. I read a lot of post regarding new grad can't

a job offer after 1 year's search. It is very frustrating indeed.

I would rather go out there trying anything else first to get my

feet wet.

snoopy_nurse

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try morton plant hospitals ans Sarasota hospital and a job Fair

the Nursing spectrum anounces them

also the FNA is having a Convention in Sept 2009 it their 100th year

try CORE Nursing Placement or Intellistaff /MSN permanent placements

they have connections and could get you a position even as a float RN in a healthcare system: That position even pays more but less benefits

they are a nursing travel agents also that do permanent Job placements

Try Winter Haven Hospital ,Helen Ellis all the hospitals that are out of the way in rural areas to.

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Hi all. I feel your pain. I moved to Tampa right after my graduation because my military husband was restationed here. I have been searching for a registered nurse position since May. I thought maybe it would be better once I actually had my license in hand but it hasn't. I have applied everywhere with in an hour and half drive from my house. Every hospital I have talked to has told me that they hired lots of graduate nurses in May(right before I got here) and to check back in a few months. I actually did a clinical rotation and my focused preceptorship at the VA in another state so that was the first place I checked with. After trying for a month to talk to the hiring coordinator there I was told they dont hire ADN nurses except twice a year only BSN's. The ADN nurses have to go through an internship program offered twice a year, with the next one being Jan. 2010. I have applied with the prison system and local jails. Also the health department and nursing homes. At this point I have started to give up on getting a job right now and have enrolled into an online BSN program. Good luck to all of you in this area and I hope we will all find something soon!!

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Specializes in Progressive Care.
I am confused; how does one get a BSN degree with no healthcare experience (it was quoted in another post as "no healthcare experience" only management or something to that effect). You have to work as an RN to get your clinical credits for BSN? Right? I must be missing something--you have to have the clinical hours in whether your get paid or not. I would think you would have gosh, a year and a half to two years it takes to complete a BSN, worth of experience working as RN to receive those BSN credits? Or they just considered it as having no healthcare experience?

I'm confused with this question. You don't have to be an RN to get a BSN. That's why colleges have a 4 year program.

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I feel you!!!! It feels so disheartening. Especially when people who didn't even go through the traumatic experience of nursing school think that you can just walk into a hospital and boom. you have a job. It does hurt. I do not have any good advice. I am sorry. I am looking, too. But if I come across any good ways for new grads to tackle this issue, I will be pasting it here.

Good Luck.... Keep your head up. :)

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Some of my friends have found jobs in nursing homes. They start as PRN nurses, and get on full time when a job becomes available.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

It's not that nursing doesn't entail job security.

It does.

If it didn't, ALL nurses would be complaining -- not just the new grads.

Some or many noobs (depending on the region) can't get their foot in the door. The experienced nurses STILL have loads of opportunities. I see it in the paper every day.

Another part of the problem? The old nurses are still hanging on.

I have a few RNs and LPNs in my family who came off retirement to go back to work in 08...

They're STILL working. But what could they do? Their 401K's had dwindled to nothing. They had to work. They're in their late 60's to early 70's, btw.

I'm not sure how widespread this occurence is, but I'm sure that it happens more often than not. It may be cheaper to higher new folks but if there's a shortage (of experienced RNs) and many experienced RNs have been thrust back into the workforce, of course they'll select them over the new grads...I'm thinking.

So...ok -- maybe you don't start off as this kick-a** wise-cracking ER RN, like Nurse Jackie or HawthoRNe on TNT... *laugh*

What's wrong with the nursing homes? I'm working towards a BSN myself but I'm preparing myself for a struggle. I'm going to try to manuever my way into the hospital and pull as many nepotist strings as I can. *laugh*

I've a few tricks up my sleeves!

But - the bottom line? Everyone has to pay their dues. Sometimes you have to work your way up and create opportunities for *yourself*.

Unless you're experienced, they probably won't be handed to you.

Good luck everyone and STAY POSITIVE.

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I agree. Becoming a nurse doesn't happen the minute you finish nursing school. I have never seen that nurse Jackie show, but the truth is that is not kick **s in the beginning. And especially in these financial times, it is hard. They used to hire warm bodies. And now JUST ONE YEAR experience is pure gold where as, comparably, being a newbie "feels" like being disintegrating newspaper. That is how it feels when you have worked this hard. I agree it is important to stay positive, but it is also important to be understood and to recognize how you are feeling and how others are feeling. Staying positive does not necessarily mean not recognizing what's going on with you.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, M/S.
Hi

I'm from Philadelphia and the situation is same up here as well. Hospitals don't want NEW GRADS!! Then how are we new grads supposed to get experience and move forward? :banghead:

I live in NE Ohio and it seems like every hospital is on a hiring freeze up here. I'm an RN of 4 years and have had interviews, but "No Dice". Things went from the "Skys the limit to hospitals closing there doors".

I've talked to a friend who's a psych nurse and he was approached about floating to a Labor and Delivery department. I didn't go, but I said he thought he was going have a baby after that.

My point is that more hospitals are trying to do without excess staff and fill gaps with current staff.

Don't worry. Things will come back. I know easier said then done. Roller.

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I am licensed in Nevada and willing to go anywhere in the state. I have applied for so many jobs I lost track. I too have been getting the thanks but no thanks you need a year to be considered. I have been a Paramedic for over 20 years with a spotless record, but that doesn't count! I am so frustrated!

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I am thinking of going back and get my BSN while the job market is so tight! Do you think this is wise?

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