New Grad Job Help

Columnist · Sep 14, 2007

Hello new2boston and welcome to allnurses!!

Boston is a great city. Hopefully someone here will offer you some good tips on locating a job.

Good luck!

karma482 · Sep 15, 2007

Hi,

I am in the same situation. I live about 15 miles away from Boston, and have tried a LONG time to even get an interview. I have tried not just Boston hospitals, but also hospitals in other areas of Massachusetts. I am getting married in 3 weeks and am coming home from my honeymoon unemployed. I already quit my other job in a pharmacy b/c I figured that someone would have hired me by now. It's absolutely ridiculous. I have 2 bachelor degrees...one in pharmacy and one in nursing, so I feel like I have alot to offer, but it seems like everyone just wants to hire experienced nurses. How are new grads supposed to have a chance?

My friend from my nursing class passed her boards like 2 weeks after we graduated in May and got right into Beth Israel with no problem...i don't know if this is b/c she has had many years experience as an EMT, or b/c she applied before alot of May grads did.

I am so frustrated....does anyone know of any nursing homes, or ANYBODY that is hiring new grads? I will take anything at this point!

Thanks!

bostongrad07 · Sep 16, 2007

Hi -

I just want you all to know I understand your frustration... I started applying for jobs last January and I graduated from a Boston school this past may. It was the most frustrating time ever. And if I heard "I can't believe you're having a hard time finding a job, there's a nursing shortage" I could have screamed!! (when people said that I felt like they said it like I was doing something wrong).

I applied to all Boston hospitals TONS of times and I applied to hospitals all around Mass, and nothing for MONTHS!! I ended up interviewing in other states, and just didn't like anywhere else as much as Boston. The last two weeks of August I finally got interviews in Boston, and when i got one, i got three at the same time. I even got to interview for one of my dream jobs and got hired and start on the 1st. I truly believe being determined and staying on top of things will pay off. All I can say is apply for everything, I use to have BI, MGH, Children's, etc email me every day whenever new jobs were posted and if i even semi qualified I applied. And it worked!

I know NEMC is hiring for some pedi float positions (and new grads are being interviewied/hired) and Franciscan's Children's was hiring as well if you're interested in pedi. BI interviewed a lot of new grads around July, I'm not sure if they still are but I think they list them as CN I on the job site. MGH is still hiring new grads as well, just not as many as they hire for Dec/July.

I know A LOT of people in the same boat as you, and the nurse recruiters i have interviewed with know how hard of a time new grads are having. I think there's a shortage in Boston for EXPERIENCED nurses, not new grads unfortunately. When i interviewed outside of Massachusetts HR called me back within a day (sometimes within the same hour) after I submitted my application but, they just weren't the same as Boston.

Shopgirl1 · Sep 19, 2007

Yes, I am in complete agreement with everyone regarding this so called nursing shortage! I applied EVERYWHERE iin January, and was offered a job in May. I called and called and called and called! Was told not to call anymore, to apply elsewhere, even a nursing home! I was completely discouraged and thought that I would never find a job. The most important thing I have learned throughout all of this mess was it's not about what you know, but WHO you know. I know thats sad and pathetic, but it's the honest truth. In order to get your foot in the door, it seems as though it's a must! Even if it's not your dream job, maybe working somewhere smaller, and not as desireable just to get that 1 year of experience may help.

Good luck with all of your endeavors, and they will pay off eventually...keep the faith! :specs:

RNSuzq1, RN · Sep 25, 2007

Hi All,

I live in NC (my Husbands home), but originally from Boston. I was just checking around to see what the job market was like back home (I assumed there were tons of RN positions). Considering all the hospitals in the area, I was really surprised to read all the posts saying it's hard to find a job.

If any of you are interested - there are literally "tons" of Nursing jobs here in NC, especially at the Major Medical Centers - Duke, Chapel Hill, Pitt, WakeMed in Raleigh, etc., the papers are filled with jobs (you can check them out online). When I graduated last year, all the hospitals in the area were heavily recruiting New-Grads, offering some really good sign-on bonuses and quite a few were willing to help pay off school loans and pay relocation fees, etc.

My Brother and his wife have been RN's at Boston Med. Ctr for 20 years - they make great money, but I'm guessing their salary is not much different than someone down here with 20 years on the job. I started out last year making almost 40/hr weekend nights at a small community hospital (days are of course less), nights/weekend shift-diff at the bigger hospitals pay more, then there's critical care pay, etc. - just depends where you work. An added plus is that the cost of living down here is much cheaper than in Mass (which is why I'm still here). Anyways, just wanted to pass that along for anyone still looking for a job, Sue

Ty-134 · Nov 2, 2007

Hello All!!
I am from California and have been looking for a new grad nurse job for 5 MONTHS!!
I ended up working as a camp nurse all summer and now live right in the city and still am looking for a job. I have my BSN, and a current MA license!!!
I cannot believe how hard it has been to find a job. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I have called the HR's, apply all the time, go to career places, try to network, etc....
Anyone have any ideas for me?? I am getting pretty sad about this. :idea: I just dont know what more to do! I am trying to stay optomistic, and hopeful but its hard especially after working so hard to be a nurse! I really want to work at a boston area hospital, its been my dream!!

You should try Modesto area.