Hi! I am a new graduate RN,BSN graduated 6 months ago, passed boards 5 months ago. My dream is pursue a career in women's health. I have pursued certifications in AWONN, NRP, ACLS, MAB in order to "stand out". I also spent over 300 hours precepting in different women's health areas. I thought this would set me apart but the new graduate system in southern california is no joke. I have applied to over 200 jobs in a variety of settings. I hired a professional resume writer. I have had 8 interviews and shortly worked in psych before resigning to pursue a career in women's health... I am running out of things to do! Only half my graduating class has been hired in hospitals and I'm getting depressed not working. Any advice would be awesome...yes I have applied in all areas of nursing not just women's health.

It's tough, I agree. I graduated in May, and I've had interviews in a few different areas, but women's health is my primary interest as well. About half of my class has acute care experience now, but the rest of us are working on it.

Try to gain ANY RN experience possible- it all counts for something. I've been doing health fairs and home infusions, that that's helped a lot. I have also made connections in the process. It all looks better than having zero RN experience.

Like I mentioned in your last thread, CA has a notoriously high unemployment rate for new nurses. The average time to find a position is like 1.5 years.

Network, network, network. Contact your preceptor, clinical instructors, etc.

I thought this would set me apart but the new graduate system in southern california is no joke. Any advice would be awesome...yes I have applied in all areas of nursing not just women's health.

Hi there! My advice..try to get in a New Grad Program first...get familiar with the hospital system..then after a year or so some hospitals offer a New Specialty Program to internal candidates in Labor & Delivery. If that is what you are truly interested in..keep up with your certifications If trying to get into a New Grad Program..even experience at a Skilled Nursing Facility will get you further than NO work experience at all. Hope that helps! Good Luck!

It took me 2 months to land a job as an RN with my BSN. Times are tough. Take anything you can get! I did not get my dream job right off the bat but I got some experience in my first job and now have my dream job! :) Good luck!

Dont give up keep trying. Note that its difficult to specialize as a new grad and womens health usually needs a couple years experience in med surg first. Revise your interviewing strategy to not mention specific areas of specialization. During interviews use more generalized goals such as if they ask where you see yourself in 1 year say something like, in that time I hope to at least become a competent nurse. If they ask goals in 5 years, don't mentions specifics, just say I hope to gain a lot of experience as a new nurse and become more involved in nursing committees, preceptorship and continuing to learn as an experienced nurse. For example, I really want to be a CRNA, but most employers knows that means I'm off to school in a couple years, my last interview I said I interested in critical care area but as a new nurse I like to keep my options open and I not ready at this time to make a specific choice of specialty. They were ok with that and I got the job...its my second job in 3 months. Keep applying, some employers might be just waiting for the fiscal year to wind down and start hiring in January.

Dont give up keep trying. Note that its difficult to specialize as a new grad and womens health usually needs a couple years experience in med surg first. Revise your interviewing strategy to not mention specific areas of specialization. During interviews use more generalized goals such as if they ask where you see yourself in 1 year say something like, in that time I hope to at least become a competent nurse. If they ask goals in 5 years, don't mentions specifics, just say I hope to gain a lot of experience as a new nurse and become more involved in nursing committees, preceptorship and continuing to learn as an experienced nurse. For example, I really want to be a CRNA, but most employers knows that means I'm off to school in a couple years, my last interview I said I interested in critical care area but as a new nurse I like to keep my options open and I not ready at this time to make a specific choice of specialty. They were ok with that and I got the job...its my second job in 3 months. Keep applying, some employers might be just waiting for the fiscal year to wind down and start hiring in January.

I agree with limiting what your career intentions and goals are during an interview. Some places don't hire new grads simply cause they burn money and bounce. I'm assuming you are applying to all positions and considering out of state ?

I agree with limiting what your career intentions and goals are during an interview. Some places don't hire new grads simply cause they burn money and bounce. I'm assuming you are applying to all positions and considering out of state ?

I did not have to go out of state thanfully but I certainly do not work next door.I applied to all hospitials in my county and all ones up to 3 and 4 counties away. I suck to med surg positions only and ones that say new nurse eligible, some said new grad bsn, nurse residency, nurse fellowship or nurse graduate program. I got job offers all but 1 distant. The one thats closer does not pay well so I drive a little over 1.5 hours to work . Its actually at a hospital where I wanted to be, but initially I ruled it out because of distance. Turns out to be the highest paying in my region so its worth the drive. I opted for nights so the shift differential more than covers gas money. The application for this job I got did not say new nurse it was posted as a med surg position with 1 year experience required, when they called me for interview I was surprised but I immediately told them I'm new grad so do not waste my time if the position needs experience. The recruiter said no experience was needed thats how I got in.

Based on what I experienced the ones that call back tended to be teaching hospitals and or level 1 trauma centers. 1 called me a week after applying so I started there but recently left for the one I at now. It took them about 3 months to respond to my application. Keep looking at application statuses daily. If it says route that means you have been chosen for interview. Review my other threads/posts to see what I did.

It's tough. But, you have a choice. You can stay in CA and continue to hunt for a job for the next 6mo+, gaining no nursing experience or you can move. Employed as a nurse in another state = experience; which can lead you back to CA and your "dream job"

Finally, I know moving is not an option for everyone.

Yeah, it's definitely tough in California. I kept my options wide open. I have my RN BSN, but I have no experience outside of nursing school, except for a job that's pretty much home care for one client. I graduated in December 2012 but didn't pass my boards until June 2014!

I applied all over the state of California, and I haven't heard from a single hospital. I tried acute care and I tried SNFs. I applied to a couple of other states outside of California and I got an interview within a week or two and a job offer very shortly after that. I plan to work in a different state, far away from home, for about a year or two before I intend to come back and look for a job back home in California.

If you can afford to move and work out-of-state, it's a great idea!

I am from California. I had no problems finding jobs in the nice parts of CA near the coast. You don't just send in an online application and ignore it and hope someone calls you. I did not apply exclusively to hospital new grad programs or jobs that did not require experience.

You may have to look in other states to be honest. Certain areas will hire you in the blink of an eye because they need nurses. If you can, consider moving. If not, volunteer as much as you can, consider the Red Cross and any local hospitals that use volunteers. Local walk-in clinics, free clinics, school nurses, camp nurses now that summer is coming up. I worked as a health care officer over last summer at a girl scout camp. Not great money, but it's experience at least. I graduated in December, started working in April but it was still a struggle just to get a call back. Don't be afraid to call THEM. Good luck!!