[OctoberBride]

I'm a new grad and have been actively looking to secure a job for the past 8 months. Once I graduated I really stepped it up, but I have yet to receive one phone call or email back. The Boston market is extremely saturated with new grads, and I've applied all over Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and even RI! I graduated with high honors, Dean's List, Sigma, etc, have three years of experience at three hospitals so I feel like I did all I could as a student to ensure getting a good job. What am I doing wrong. I'm really nervous I won't find a job soon, and my bills are PILING up. A few major hospitals in Boston have a hiring freeze and I've been told the turnover is extremely low. I'm really nervous I won't find a job soon, and my bills are PILING up. Can anyone relate or offer advice? Thanks.

[Jules A]

Have you tried agency or private duty nursing? Even if it isn't where you eventually want to be I would do it because not working for 8 months would have me nuts. Good luck.

[lsvalliant]

Follow up 2 business days after you apply for every job. Also, I noticed it helps if you go into the hospitals HR and apply, instead of online. And be persistant.

Also, your cover letter of your resume should really sell yourself. State you graduated with honors, etc. That should help too.

Good luck!!

[Proverbs 16:3]

I didn't even think to include that i graduated with honors on my cover letter. I just highligted my educational background, various co-op and extern positions i've had and positions i held in some of the organizations in my school. i did do a good job of stating that i excelled despite juggling a full time job, holding office positions in 3 organizations and blah..blah..blah..
I have a nice template for cover letters. i got that from Jefferson hosp. ...no i didn't go to school there...just work for 'em. If you want it i can email it to you so you can modify it and brush it up.

I don't think it has to do with you though. I was in the same boat as you were, highest honors, lots of awards, externships, other jobs, extra curricular, you name it but the thing was that hospitals in philly have hiring freezes...some of them and the rest want experience. Also, are you the picky type? i know i am. I only wanted to work for specific hospitals here and if they weren't hiring then screw the rest. I also wanted the ICU only so that made it worse. You may need to look elsewhere, different state, different position, etc... and maybe you may find luck there. I finally did get a call from one of the highest paying hospitals here, scheduled the interview but called to cancel because i wasn't gonna take my chances. I'd been offered jobs in a different state and i've decided to move. You can go get experience somewhere and go back to Boston.
I wish you all the best in your job search

[Chicago to NewHaven]

I had a hard time finding a job at first too so I started calling hospital HR departments and asking to speak with a nurse recruiter. This was the only way for me to find out what positions were actually available (it always seemed that employment webpages were out of date). I was able to work with a couple of different recruiters at two hospitals and was offered a couple of positions in no time... compared to just filling out online applications.

So what I have learned from going through the process is that you have to call HR and be PERSISTENT (keep calling)!!!
Don't give up there are positions out there for all of us.