Feeling Lost about A2 area Job Search

U.S.A. Michigan

Published

Hey all, I'm a new grad (May 2013) that is fully licensed in the state of MI and just moved here from doing a 1 year accelerated program in El Paso, TX. So far I have over 50 applications out with U of M, St. Joe's, Providence, VA and Oakwood. I graduated in the top 5 percent of my class with honors from the university with a BSN.

At this point I feel I have applied for everything out there I am qualified for as a graduate nurse without a single call for an interview. I have talked with recruiters and still feel like I'm in limbo. As an out of state graduate, what more can I do to network with the area hospitals? I feel that I am at a disadvantage due to not performing clinicals at any of the area hospitals. Is there any hiring fairs the hospitals host or participate in? How did you get your first RN job?

I don't have any tips for you, but I just wanted to say I'm in the same boat. I've read on here that many people apply for 100-200+ jobs before getting interviews... just didn't think I'd be one of them! I've even had a friend help my fix up my resume (he does a lot of hiring so knows exactly what should be in a resume) and that hasn't even helped so far. Sigh:unsure:

Specializes in Med/Surg, International Health, Psych.

Hi Amj789,

Your observations are correct. Ann Arbor does not offer many nursing opportunities outside those institutions that you mentioned and they may be hard to break into for a new grad. Some start at LTC facilities for experience or go to Detroit for experience and then are able to get in. Try contacting the nurse recruiter at St. Joe's. I don't know if she is still there, but she was helpful to me as a new grad when I was looking for a job. Thanks.

Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

Keep trying, I work in Motts ER and we're new grad friendly when the positions are open, the tricky part is if internal applicants beat you out. The manager might love you but their hands are tied if some one internal applies, we've had allot of shift changing going on, check the site again, I hear the adult side is getting short again too, but I've never worked in the main ER so not sure of their climate. We also had quite a few come from St Jo's so they may be hiring again soon. I'm still getting rejections from VA over 2 years later and I'm prior service lol Good Luck! Oh and almost forgot I think Mercy in Monroe is hiring too, have heard good things from friends that work there

Have you had any luck? i saw this week U of M had 19 positions open for new grads. So looks like they're truly short on the adult side. One suggestion is that there is a list of most of the managers here: UMHS Nursing So I began tailoring each cover letter to each unit and addressing the specific managers. Not sure if that makes a big difference or not but it might show that you're doing your homework and going the extra mile :) Another thought is to try towards metro Detroit.. alot of those hospitals are hiring (DMC, Karmanos, Henry Ford, Beaumont). Not sure how far you want to drive... I just got hired in at one of the hospitals downtown so there are definitely jobs for new grads! Be persistent!

Thanks all for the words of support, but alas no position yet or phone calls. I have applied for all the long term care facilities in the A2 area and have extended my search all the way out to Novi, Southfield and Detroit. I have been in contact with the nurse recruiter from St. Joe's but so far that hasn't led anywhere and the one nurse contact I do know there works in the ICU and the ICU does not hire new grads. About once every 2 weeks I chat with one of the nurse recruiter's on U of M's nursing site hoping to gain more insight.

ZooMommyRN thank-you for your service, my husband just ETS'ed so I get the whole applying at the VA and fun rejection notices as well. At this point I'm getting a bit desperate with my student loans about to hit, and have started to even apply for tech positions just to get my foot in the door in any facility. Which makes me wonder that if I'm an RN do I have to get a special certification to be a CNA here?

Pretty much I've started to try and think of "out-side the box" ways to get hired and don't be surprised if I end up making the news for standing outside various hospitals with an "Will RN to pay student loans" sign...sigh. Keeping the faith that something will pop up soon.

Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

You may be able to get an extension on your loans because you have been unable to get a job yet. Not sure if you are allowed to work below your license, I have a friend who is a newly licensed NP but work as staff RN until she can get an NP position, have you tried Mercy Memorial in Monroe? How central to AA are you? There are more nursing homes an hour south of you that seem to be hiring quite often, a few hospitals but I wouldn't recommend them for a new grad

I'm more Ypsi vs. A2. I'm trying to avoid an hour drive unless it's full time but which hospitals should I stay away from? I'm thinking out of the box as well as in community health. I'm trying to avoid the prison's due to my lack of experience.

Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

I sent you a pm, not sure if you can reply because you're new to the site, if you can't let me know.

Specializes in ER.
I sent you a pm, not sure if you can reply because you're new to the site, if you can't let me know.

I have just received my license a few weeks ago. I am in the process of applying to different hospitals in the area. Do you have any suggestions? I tried St Joes, St Johns, DMC, Henry Ford, and Mclaren.

Well the good news is that today I got my first call back for a job interview at a home health care agency with the interview tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have good news in a few days.

Zoomommy thanks for the heads up. And you nailed it, no messaging for me yet. The good news is that I have an interview tomorrow with a home health care agency which is located in Lincoln Park so hopefully something good will come from it.

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