New Grad/RN Program in California

I RN A:

You state that you have tried everything in Southern California. A few questions:

1. Are you being called for telephone interviews by nurse recruiters/unit managers?
This is often the first step in the interview process (a telephone screening by
nurse recruiters so they can determine "where" you would "fit" best in the nurse
staffing structure).
2. Are you being called to schedule interviews?

If you answer "no" to these questions, you may have to review your resume (and/or cover letter). Both of them may need to be beefed up (improved) a little bit. If you are scheduling interviews, how do you feel they are going? If you are unsure, call the interviewers and ask for suggestions on how you can improve yourself.

...just some suggestions...

As for a CNA position...I wouldn't go that route; however only you know what you need to be do in order to survive financially.

Often we (nurses, nursing students) limit our thinking to just hospitals and LTC facilities. Open your mind up and think "outside the box." It may not be what you want to do right now; but have you tried physician offices? Also, don't forget your state's job opportunity website (public health departments, state hospitals, jails/prisons...in your area). Even better, check www.USAjobs.com (or is it dot .org, something like that! ) this is the federal government's website (V.A. hospitals/clinics, federal prisons/penitentary, etc.).

Keep your head up. Stay positive. Be patient.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your advice. Actually, all of the hospitals on a hiring freeze, and I can't even start applying untill April because the new grad programs will start in June, July, August, September. My concern is that at that time more people will be graduating and the cycle will repeat it self. As for physicians offices I just started to call some of them and had no luck yet. But I will definately try to go on the website you have suggested and check it out. Does 1 year of experience account in any setting? I really want to be a trauma nurse, but I can't pick and choose and will do whatever it takes to get me there.

I RN A:

For any position you apply for, there will ALWAYS be a description of responsibilities and MINIMUM qualifications. The state and federal job sites ALWAYS provide you with this information. Also, with the federal site (USAjobs) they will even inform you about tuition repayment plans, etc. The USAjobs website may look confusing at first; but once you get used to it you will know which tabs to view. Also, you can input your resume online (ONE TIME) and use it to apply for all the positions you are interested in. They also have a tab on the website (this is after you set up your own username and password) where you can initiate specific searches (that can be saved) that will be sent directly to your personal email address. This saves you from having to go to the website ALL THE TIME and do searches. DON'T FORGET, the Federal system (V.A. Hospitals) has new grad programs also. On the website, the position will not be listed as New RN Grad/Nurse Residency... so don't expect to see these words when you hunt/search for jobs. As you begin searching (on the USAJobs site), even if you don't see a position that fits your current level of experience REVIEW the point-of-contacts for the nursing jobs that are listed. The nursing recruiter/point-of-contact will point you into the right direction and he/she may even send you a packet (a LARGE packet) to complete for any new grad programs in his/her area (city). If you do not see any positions in the cities/states you want ...don't forget OVERSEAS... if you want to travel to get more experience... Just plan to phone or email the recruiter that is listed within the job posting.

Again, good luck!!

If it helps, my place is hiring for a nurse right now.

Where are you located?

Im located in central valley, the job is in lodi, ca

Wow...smn2009! you gave out very important information...I just graduated Friday May 15, 2009 and very optimistic some will call me. I hope so at least, with this economical times you never know. I have applied to every hospital in Southern California with a new grad program and those that are willing to hire new grads. Some hospitals will specify "NO new grads accepted for this position" upon posting the job description. State and federal sites are some sites to look into...I have search for jobs in immigration (no opennings at this time), correctional (applied to several positions in Az), and the VA hospitals in both CA & AZ but they want me to pass the NCLEX first before taking me under their wing, there are no opportunities for hospital jobs in Az. Anyways, I've gone bananas applying to many positions in Southern California and crossing my fingers ! I was reading through the sites to see if there was anything else I have missed on and your cover letter hints have narrowed my thoughts to more specific information that would greatly benefit my chances of getting into this profession I so dearly love and want to grow old with.

Thank you for your professional point of view!

Emma

I have the same difficulty with I RN A, only that i live in Louisiana and has California license. It's not easy. Some of the places where i turned in my resume called me but they need at least a year of experience which i don't have because i only had my license around january 2009. my license endorsement in Louisiana is taking forever though..a friend of mind said she had to wait for 7 to 8 months.

I just graduated in May of 2009. Got my license in july of 2009. I personally applied to each job in southern ca with my resume and a coverletter and was not getting any relpies, I thought it was going to be easy to find a job because I have a bachelors (non nursing degree) and a RN. I called the nursing recruiter from the hospital I really wanted to work at and explained to her my need for a critical care position. I got a interview on last monday and they hired me on the spot. I start on Monday. Sometimes you have to go the extra mile and call in for this position there was over 800 applicants for 3 spots. hope this helps

wow!! thas great. i hav a bsn and got my license in early july. i have applied to every hospital in la county just about..and have not received much luck.

what hospital is this that you called? and did you attend school in soCal? or out of state?