I graduated in 2008. How do I stay competative for jobs when I'm competing with more recent grads for the same jobs? My area how 8 nursing programs pumping out RN's. I've re-done my resume, cover letter, attempting to network, etc. Getting awfully tired of people telling me to get a job with an agency or HH knowing full well both of those require that magical one year's experience. Can't afford to take ACLS or PALS, or any certification in the area of nursing I'm really interested in. Heck, when my BCLS is up for renewal next year, if I don't have I job, I won't be able to afford to take it either. It's great to be told to go back to school, take classes, get your certifications, etc. I'd like to know who can actually afford to do that.

This week alone I put in over 15 applications, one I've already gotten a denial for. It's getting really hard to keep a positive attitude, but I'm trying.

You should prob get a job in another field while your looking, something to pay the bills. Save up to relocate and something to pay for the acls etc. Network with your former classmates, some of them must have gotten jobs. Call your proffesors and ask them to hook you up with people that might be able to help. 15 apps in a week is not a lot I did hundreds. How far away are you willing to commute/travel? Any family you can stay with & apply in that area>? Desperate times call for desperate measures. Have you had any job at all in the last 2 years? It is easier to find a job when you have one, even if it is non nursing. Sorry your having such a hard time. It defiantely gets depressing getting all the rejections. you just have to keep your head up and keep on keeping on.

I feel for ya! I just graduated about half a year ago and haven't found employment either. Technically, I'm not considered a "new grad" anymore in my state/province and don't qualify for all the "new grad recruitment" advantages that "NEW new grads" get.

As I've yet to be successful in the job hunt so far, I'm probably not in any position to offer good and meaningful advice other than to keep on trying. ACLS and extra certification courses in my area cost a few hundred dollars (not including books) per course and I'm saving up for those. I think those extra certifications would really bring value to any potential employer rather than having just the BCLS and your degree.

I'm currently working full-time in a low-wage, totally unrelated job (not much better than general labour) just to get the bills paid while I keep applying. As another poster has suggested, you might want to find part-time employment even if its not in your field. I say part-time (as opposed to full time) because it gives more flexibility if you sign up for classes or need days off for interviews.

Good luck!

My family and I are not open to relocating out of state again for a job that may or may not work out. If I were still single I'd consider it, but unless the place offers relocation assistance, can't do it. 15 apps this week is good since I'm applying to the facilities in my state that are actually hiring, that's not counting the twice daily checking of websites for jobs and networking info. I've applied for non-nursing jobs as well. Heck there is actually now an open position at the local bookstore that I'm going to apply again for.

I am lucky that my husband brings in a little money and we have a roof over our head and bills are paid. I just wonder how am I to compete for jobs with the New new grads? I'm applying for jobs all over my state within a 100 miles from where I live. I don't want to make the mistake again of taking the first job that offers just because they offer. I made that mistake in 2009 and it was a bad fit. I'm applying to places I know I want to make a career at on units I think I'd do well on. I'm not going to make the mistake again of overestimating my abilities, which is part of what happened with the one RN job I was offered.

I do wonder how I'll react when I actually get a call for an interview LOL

Just an idea -- check your local fire stations or rescue squads for BLS classes. You will need BLS at a minimum for most RN jobs, so it is an important one to keep current. The fire station where I volunteer offers BLS recert classes to everyone cheap cheap cheap, like for just the roster fee ($10). We usually just ask non-affiliated people to make a donation to the fire station, if they choose.

I feel for you. I too am a not so new grad. I graduated in 2003. I had problems, but eventually passed the NCLEX in March 2010. I took out a loan so that I could go to an RN Refresher course. I currently work as a CNA. My hospital won't even hire me. I took my ACLS because they helped pay for it. I just started to volunteer at the local RotaCare clinic. Even with all this, I still have not found an RN job. I am finding out that if you see a posting for a job, one must jump on it. It might be filled by tomorrow. Keep your chin up! It is a difficult job market out there. lol

Don't worry about the new grads. Just one more worry when you already have enough on your plate. Consider looking for, or posting an ad for, private duty positions. Sometimes you have to create your own job. Although, likely to be little more than standard caregiving, it would be something to put on your resume. Good luck.

Just an idea -- check your local fire stations or rescue squads for BLS classes. You will need BLS at a minimum for most RN jobs, so it is an important one to keep current. The fire station where I volunteer offers BLS recert classes to everyone cheap cheap cheap, like for just the roster fee ($10). We usually just ask non-affiliated people to make a donation to the fire station, if they choose.

I hadn't thought of that, good idea thanks. I wonder if they might offer ACLS, won't hurt to ask.

Don't worry about the new grads. Just one more worry when you already have enough on your plate. Consider looking for, or posting an ad for, private duty positions. Sometimes you have to create your own job. Although, likely to be little more than standard caregiving, it would be something to put on your resume. Good luck.

I just started to try that this weekend. I hope something might come out of it and as you say, good to add to the old resume.

The rejection is a tough one to deal with.

Everybody, hang in there and good luck.

The rejection is THE worst part of it. I mean right after graduation I'd at least get interviews. Now I get nothing except rejection emails. It's hard not to throw in the towel, but this is what I want to do. I WANT to be a pediatric nurse even though I know I have to work adult first.

My family and I are not open to relocating out of state again for a job that may or may not work out. If I were still single I'd consider it, but unless the place offers relocation assistance, can't do it. 15 apps this week is good since I'm applying to the facilities in my state that are actually hiring, that's not counting the twice daily checking of websites for jobs and networking info. I've applied for non-nursing jobs as well. Heck there is actually now an open position at the local bookstore that I'm going to apply again for.

I am lucky that my husband brings in a little money and we have a roof over our head and bills are paid. I just wonder how am I to compete for jobs with the New new grads? I'm applying for jobs all over my state within a 100 miles from where I live. I don't want to make the mistake again of taking the first job that offers just because they offer. I made that mistake in 2009 and it was a bad fit. I'm applying to places I know I want to make a career at on units I think I'd do well on. I'm not going to make the mistake again of overestimating my abilities, which is part of what happened with the one RN job I was offered.

I do wonder how I'll react when I actually get a call for an interview LOL

Wait so you did find a new grad job? What happened? How long did you stay? I wonder if this is why you are not getting hired? How do you explain it at interviews?

I should clarify. I did find a job in 2009 and moved to NC. Unfortunately I bit off more than I could chew on this one, it was a surgical intermediate unit and I thought I could do it since I had worked similar units as an LPN. Boy was I wrong, no matter what I did I just didn't seem to make progress accroding to my preceptor. I talked it over with my manager and we attempted to transfer me to a medical-surgical floor. Unfortunately there were no more positions open to new RN's at that time. I lasted all of 1-2 months. Part of the problem and the nurse retention manager brought it up, was that I might actually have been having a problem with the LPN to RN transition and my preceptor nor the unit educator caught it....I sure didn't. On top of that, I found out I was pregnant 2 weeks into orientation and ended up having to go to the high risk OB. Hind sight being 20/20 it was for the best that things didn't work out. I wasn't terminated per se, you can't work on the unit you are trying to transfer from so after 3 months of not working I was let go eligible for rehire.

It was a good unit and a good hospital, just not a good fit. And that's how I'll explain it if I ever get the chance to. Because of the short time I was there I'm still classified a new RN, but because of the length of time since graduation I'm not eligible for new grad internship type jobs. I still consider myself as new grad RN as I haven't a clue how to actually BE and RN yet. The thinking is so much different I discovered the hard way. Is this the reason I haven't found a job, maybe. I've been told not to even put it on my resume just the application. Even that advice is confusing.

I'm just frustrated that because of my own stupidity I probably will not get a job as an RN. I put in applications several days a week every week and nothing. I had a good GPA and as an LPN never had anything bad on my license. I'm not one to blame others for my own mistakes, I've made plenty. I guess those and the economy have conspired to make my job hunt even harder.