[MiaNJ]

I graduated with a BSN last summer, but due to an immediate family illness (cancer), I could not work right away. I passed the NCLEX, and have been looking for an entry level job for over 3 months now. Most places ask for experience, and I can't seem to find graduate nurse positions. I have also been told by a couple recruiters that it doesn't look good that graduated last year and haven't had nursing experience. But how do I explain personal issues on a cover letter, and would they care?
I am feeling hopeless and don't know what to do. I feel like all the stress and money I spent in nursing school will not pay off, and I may never be able to find a job. I had my heart set on nursing and think that now it will never happen.
Are there people who just never find an entry level nursing job?
Anyone have any advice?

[margo2007]

I am sorry to hear that!

[KCIN]

Get an internship program, or take a refresher course at a community college that is affiliated with a nursing school. some places like http://www.giantcareers.com/gsn_gn_home.htm#june2008 will train you and have excellent opportunities. which state are you in?

[llg]

Definitely explain your delay in job-seeking in your cover letter. They don't need the details, but they need to be reassured that there is no reason not to hire you. You should be able to do it in 3 or 4 sentences. Say something like:

"As you can see from my resume, I took a little time between graduation and searching for my first RN job. I needed that time to care for a seriously ill family member (or whatever). That situation is resolved now and I look forward to beginning my career and am prepared to make a full time committment to work at your hospiatl." ..... or something along those lines.

Also, be sure your application is top-notch -- resume, letters of recommendation, etc. Be prepared to be flexible with your work schedule ... the specific specialty ... etc. You are just trying to get your foot in the door at this point: don't insist on perfection. Network ... go to job fairs, open houses, etc. Do some volunteer work to meet people in health care who might be able to help you get a job.

Whatever you do ... DON'T just submit an online application and wait for them to call you. You need to meet people face-to-face (or at least talk on the phone) so that you have the opportunity to make a good impression on them. Direct communication will also give you information on your local job market. Ask questions of recruiters and other people "in the know" to find out what is happening in your town, what people are looking for, etc. Then become that person they are looking for.

[lovelightRN]

wow this is shocking, there is a world wide nursing shortage.. where do you live?? ANY CITY i know of is screaming for nurses, even new grad programs are EVERYWHERE out west..you should relocate, california has a million new grad programs in like every specialty...

[MiaNJ]

Originally Posted by KCIN

Get an internship program, or take a refresher course at a community college that is affiliated with a nursing school. some places like http://www.giantcareers.com/gsn_gn_home.htm#june2008 will train you and have excellent opportunities. which state are you in?

Thanks for the link. I'm in NJ. I didn't think about taking a refresher since to me last year seems so recent, and I still remember alot of skills. I thought refresher courses were for people who had been out of work for years. I also spent alot of time in the hospital with my family member, and observed alot of nurses. I can't really afford the time/money for another college course now. I already had taken off more than a yr off full time work for the nursing program. I really need a job, and I just hope I find at least one entry level oppty.

[MiaNJ]

Originally Posted by lovelightRN

wow this is shocking, there is a world wide nursing shortage.. where do you live?? ANY CITY i know of is screaming for nurses, even new grad programs are EVERYWHERE out west..you should relocate, california has a million new grad programs in like every specialty...

It seems shocking, but even some of my classmates told me it took them a while to find jobs, since I think there is a nursing shortage, but mostly for 'experienced' nurses, and not all hospitals have new grad programs all the time. The ones that do have them usually seem to have them starting in summer after graduation, or at least the more than a dozen hospitals I've checked into in surrounding areas.
They told us in school that jobs are everywhere, but they didn't say that it's also very competitive to get that 'first' graduate job, in many places, esp. where there are alot of graduates. I've heard some hospitals may have over 50 applicants for just a few graduate nurse positions. I guess for some people it's easy to find a job, but it hasn't been for me, and most open positions say experienced required. I haven't seen tons of graduate internship positions. I wish I could relocate, but unfortunately can't. I thought the east coast had alot of opptys too, but I guess I just have to keep trying.

[MiaNJ]

Originally Posted by llg

Definitely explain your delay in job-seeking in your cover letter. They don't need the details, but they need to be reassured that there is no reason not to hire you. You should be able to do it in 3 or 4 sentences. Say something like:

"As you can see from my resume, I took a little time between graduation and searching for my first RN job. I needed that time to care for a seriously ill family member (or whatever). That situation is resolved now and I look forward to beginning my career and am prepared to make a full time committment to work at your hospiatl." ..... or something along those lines.

Also, be sure your application is top-notch -- resume, letters of recommendation, etc. Be prepared to be flexible with your work schedule ... the specific specialty ... etc. You are just trying to get your foot in the door at this point: don't insist on perfection. Network ... go to job fairs, open houses, etc. Do some volunteer work to meet people in health care who might be able to help you get a job.

Whatever you do ... DON'T just submit an online application and wait for them to call you. You need to meet people face-to-face (or at least talk on the phone) so that you have the opportunity to make a good impression on them. Direct communication will also give you information on your local job market. Ask questions of recruiters and other people "in the know" to find out what is happening in your town, what people are looking for, etc. Then become that person they are looking for.

Thank you so much for the suggestions for the cover letter, and all your advice. I wish that my instructors had told me in school that it would be good to have recommendation letters. I didn't think to ask for one, since I kept hearing that there's such a shortage, and it's easy to get a job once you get the RN license. I don't know if they even would remember now, to go back and get letters from them. I feel so dumb for not thinking ahead, before I even graduated. But I had so many issues with family, trying to pass my classes, do projects, etc. that I just wanted to get through school and thought it woudn't be hard to find a job.
I thought email resumes were preferred these days. I did go to a couple hospitals, HR office, and they just told me to 'go online' and I'll find all the details about applying there. They seemed like they didn't like people going in person and 'bothering' them. They told me if a recruiter was interested, they would contact me. I guess I will have to try career fairs when they are open.

[lovelightRN]

yes i know what you are talking about, im from the east coast, i had to relocate to texas for my internship in the NICU!!! texas and california has the most internships available usually several times per year..in all specialties..
can you relocate out of NJ??
I bet NYC has a ton of internships or miami, florida..
good luck girl!!!

[felixfelix]

I'm out west and there are very few jobs for new grads....you're golden if you have >1 yr. experience and you're fool's gold if you're new.

Originally Posted by lovelightRN

wow this is shocking, there is a world wide nursing shortage.. where do you live?? ANY CITY i know of is screaming for nurses, even new grad programs are EVERYWHERE out west..you should relocate, california has a million new grad programs in like every specialty...