Yet another unemployed new grad..

U.S.A. Georgia

Published

Well it's official...I am one of those new grads that just CANNOT get a job (or an interview for that matter). I graduated in May with an ADN, had a 3.7 GPA, worked for 4 years as a tech and never thought I would be in this position. Part of the problem is that I moved to a new state where I have no contacts immediately after graduating (to be closer to family). I have applied to every new grad position and residency I can find but haven't gotten so much as a nibble. I have also tried other positions that don't specify experience. I spend 4-5 hours a day looking for and applying for jobs.

I have no money in my bank account. I just got an offer from Mollen to do flu shot clinics but have heard it's almost impossible to get hours. I am so discouraged. What am I doing wrong?! Where else can I look? I am open to do just about anything. I have thought about looking into Dr. offices but I know that most don't use RN's anymore and I don't even know where to begin looking for something like that! I have tried craigslist and it's not looking good.

Any advice? any connections you can offer?

Sorry for the long rant.

Thank you for your posts. To answer some of the questions: Yes, I have passed my boards. I have tried indeed, all the hospitals in NE GA, amedysis wants experience and I have been warned that home care isn't a very good choice for new grads. I would be open to trying to get a position at a SNF but I am unfamiliar with the area ...anyone have any suggestions in the ATL / NE GA area? Moving is not an option nor is continuing education/certifications because I literally have zero financial resources at the moment...I lost my job as a tech the second I passed the NCLEX. The hospital I worked for wouldn't allow me to continue as a tech if I was an RN, but I couldn't get a job as an RN if I wasn't licensed. My family has had a tragic couple of months which lead us to move from AZ to GA...we are living with the in laws who are also struggling. I have looked hesitantly into corrections but most of the posts I've seen want experience. I have also applied to psych hospitals. I have been considering going into the units to get some face time with managers but wasn't sure how appropriate this was. I have tried calling the hospitals to speak with recruiters but now-a-days it's nearly impossible to get through the menu and speak to a human.

Being new to the area puts my at a huge disadvantage. I don't know anyone and I don't know the facilities. I would love if any of you who are familiar with ATL/NE GA could lead me in the right direction. Where are the surgery clinics and where do they post positions? What physician office's do you know of that use RNs? And to those who have more experience than I do: Is it inappropriate to show up unexpectedly at a manager's office?

As a final note, I don't think having a high GPA makes me better or smarter than everyone else, I don't think it's an automatic in and I absolutely know I have a lot of learning left to do..I was simply stating that I worked hard in school, I worked hard as a tech and I thought that experience and competence would lead to an interview (after 200+ applications) at the very least. I have been applying to jobs since March. I have revised and revised my resume and cover letter and I do change them for each position.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

United health care and golden living has SNFs allover.. they are always hiring. Im not sure of your exact area but Im sure you could get a job quick at one of those SNFs pretty quickly

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

Sent you a pm

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Georgia Dept of Corrections has no open RN positions. what the heck! Am I seeing this right?!

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prettymica I can't send a pm back because I dont have 15 posts but thanks i'll look into it.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

It came through.. also if you can go in there and fill out the application

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
Georgia Dept of Corrections has no open RN positions. what the heck! Am I seeing this right?!

I work in Northern VA, but my company (Correct Care Solutions) has contracts in Georgia. I also know that Corizon Healthcare has a couple of contracts in Georgia as well. Check them out :) I think most of their contracts are with local jails, but I think that's a great experience. The RN's at my facility take the charge nurse role, and assist the doctor with clinic (he comes 2-3 days per week), respond to emergencies, change wound dressings, and administer the diabetic's medications. Corrections was my first job as an LPN & I'm very grateful for the opportunity. Around that time when I was hired, a lot of new grad RN's were hired as well.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Have you considered jumping right back into school for a BSN? It'll be something in the mean time and when you are done it would make you more marketable.

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Yes I want to go back to school for my BSN and my goal is to become an NP in the future. Problem is still no money. It's too late to apply for FAFSA for this year.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Telemetry/PCU, Bone & Joint.

I am a relatively new RN of just two years. When I graduated May 2010, the so called nursing shortage had just tanked. Hospital's wouldn't even take notice of me without any experience. The solution? Find employment at a nursing home like I did. They are more apt to hire newly graduated RN's and it's a great starting point and experience. I did it for one year and toward the end of that year, I started applying for hospital positions and I finally landed one at the end of my first year. Good timing! One other VERY important piece of advice is to be VERY aggressive in your pursuit. You have a lot of competition so after you submit your resume, call HR, get a name, call again and again and again. Don't be rude, don't be pushy, but let it be known you want to work for their organization and you want to work their bad. It took me two months of aggressive, but gentle prying for me to gain an interview, but I finally landed it and was hired. I've been there a year now and love it! Good luck!

Well it's official...I am one of those new grads that just CANNOT get a job (or an interview for that matter). I graduated in May with an ADN, had a 3.7 GPA, worked for 4 years as a tech and never thought I would be in this position. Part of the problem is that I moved to a new state where I have no contacts immediately after graduating (to be closer to family). I have applied to every new grad position and residency I can find but haven't gotten so much as a nibble. I have also tried other positions that don't specify experience. I spend 4-5 hours a day looking for and applying for jobs.

I have no money in my bank account. I just got an offer from Mollen to do flu shot clinics but have heard it's almost impossible to get hours. I am so discouraged. What am I doing wrong?! Where else can I look? I am open to do just about anything. I have thought about looking into Dr. offices but I know that most don't use RN's anymore and I don't even know where to begin looking for something like that! I have tried craigslist and it's not looking good.

Any advice? any connections you can offer?

Sorry for the long rant.

0 Votes
Well it's official...I am one of those new grads that just CANNOT get a job (or an interview for that matter). I graduated in May with an ADN, had a 3.7 GPA, worked for 4 years as a tech and never thought I would be in this position. Part of the problem is that I moved to a new state where I have no contacts immediately after graduating (to be closer to family). I have applied to every new grad position and residency I can find but haven't gotten so much as a nibble. I have also tried other positions that don't specify experience. I spend 4-5 hours a day looking for and applying for jobs.

I have no money in my bank account. I just got an offer from Mollen to do flu shot clinics but have heard it's almost impossible to get hours. I am so discouraged. What am I doing wrong?! Where else can I look? I am open to do just about anything. I have thought about looking into Dr. offices but I know that most don't use RN's anymore and I don't even know where to begin looking for something like that! I have tried craigslist and it's not looking good.

Any advice? any connections you can offer?

Sorry for the long rant.

One idea you might want to try that many folks may not have thought of is the prison system. There is ALWAYS a shortage of nurses and often times your salary is very flexible. I know of nurses who started working at $60,000 or more in the higher custody level prisons. I have been working for the prison system most of my employed life as an officer and can tell you that working in them isn't exactly a picnic, BUT if it's job security and well, a job at all you want, the prison system may be a good place to at least get started. Another good thing is that if you work in the state or federal prison system, it comes with a huge window of opportunities for transfer if you ever decide to move or change jobs. Knowing that finding nursing jobs is tough right now, I myself plan to start there until I can find decent employment else where or at least get higher degrees. www.bop.gov is the website to the federal prison system (bureau of prisons). I wish you the best of luck!

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What state are you working in? Im Rn with AS degree and BA in psychology.

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