New Grad RNs-how is your job hunt going?

U.S.A. New York

Published

I just graduated in May, recently passed the NCLEX, and am now applying to positions but haven't had any call backs yet :( I just wanted to know how other NY new grads are doing in their search for a job. Have you gone on any interviews? Already working? Or not getting any responses?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I graduated in December, passed the boards in March and was just offered a position in the NICU at a hospital close to me in Queens! I start September 10. I've been working as a camp nurse this summer but other than that I've only gone on 3 interviews (including the one in the NICU). I've been applying since January and have sent out hundreds of resumes! I was lucky in that one of my professors from school got me the interview in the NICU. I had given her my resume back in December and finally a few positions opened up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in the same boat. I graudated with my BSN in may, passed NCLEX in july. Ive applied to every hospital in nyc and long island : all the city hospitals, mt. sinai, white plains hospital. I had 2 callbacks. One at new york presbyterian and visiting nurse service. Visting nurse serice never called to schedule an interview and i had an interview with new york presby. but i was rejected and i was an extern last summer. All in all this job search is getting discouraging and I am worried I wont work soon. Ive even applied upstate. Hang in there...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah its not terrific on my end either...same story, graduated in May (BSN), passed my boards beginning of August...but I did some preliminary workup starting in June. Nothing doing, no callbacks, no emails, no nothing. I tried to go in person to HR but no one lets me in. I do call and email periodically to check whats doing with my apps and so far I guess I havent annoyed enough people :)

I do understand why the hospitals are doing what they are doing, its alot cheaper to hire someone with experience, but I have to admit its a little frustrating. I am also scared that I am going to lose alot of my skills (in my school I had a preceptorship till March, and then I was switched to a senior center, which was kind of useless). So far this summer I took ACLS, renewed my BLS, and I am thinking about a phlebotomy course...but I want a short one (like less than a week) so options are somewhat limited. How are you keeping your skills sharp?

Im also not working anywhere else and I am scared to find a non-nursing related job in case I get a nursing job you know? I am even nervous to sign up for a volunteer job cause they want you there for awhile. What do you guys think?

Thanks for starting the post and letting me vent :) Good luck everyone, hope theres good news for all of us!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was thinking of taking an ACLS course as well an also an IV certification course too. But its tough hopefully things will get better for all of us. As anyone had interviews or callbacks for interviews?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I haven't taken an ACLS course or any other extra certifications besides BCLS. I looked into doing a phlebotomy course a couple of months ago but decided against it since it was too expensive. It's been 4 months since I've used any type of clinical skills too but I saved my nursing textbooks so I can review important info if I ever get a job. I've applied to most hospitals and nursing homes and haven't received any callbacks, so I decided to look into home care services now. It's not ideal but I think they are hiring and I'm willing to take anything at this point!

@soon2bnycRN- how far upstate did you apply? I've applied up to Orange and Putnam county hospitals. I haven't gone farther because then I would have to move but I heard that hospitals way upstate are in need of RNs, I don't know if that is still true...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I started doing volunteer work in May since I had absolutely no experience but it hasn't helped. I volunteer in a hospital and at blood drives around nyc. I was hesitant about signing up with a hospital because they do require a time commitment and the application process is long but I thought it could help me get a job at that hospital--so far it hasn't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@nycnursey: I applied up to Binghamton. I think its true that nurses are needed upstate esp. in the syracuse and albany area but thats so far. I went to school in binghamton so imfamilar with area but i live in nyc. Which hospitals in the city have you applied to? Have you tried long island and have westchester?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would recommend taking ACLS actually. It was relatively painless...although its another 200 dollars to shell out. But I do see alot of hospitals either requiring or saying it is beneficial to have it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

a lot of the people in my class have found jobs already, but i still havent found a full time position. i graduated in jan (BSN) and got licensed in NY in may. i have applied at hospitals in the city too, and have started looking at some places upstate.

i do have volunteer experience (lots of hours and even an award from the hospital) but have not gone forward with getting a job at that hospital. i also have IV cert training and ACLS since i needed these to be competitive when i got licensed in california (in march). i have gone on one interview in cali, and a few in NY. all of them seemed like it could move forward but there's no word at this point. all i can do right now is stay positive and keep moving on to the next thing, even if that's starting with an application all over again... hard as it is, i'm lucky and very thankful for the support system i have. us new grads still looking for jobs just need to go through this and keep going!:hug:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey new grads, don't be discouraged, I remember when I was a new grad years ago looking for work, it is so tiring and depressing I know.

But you got to get up and get out there. Go back to your professors (especially the ones still working as RN's) see if they can guide you or hook up up with a positon, or atleast give you a reference letter.

Go back to old clinical instructors and nurses you met throughout clinical that may be able to help you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi nycnursey, I just passed the NCLEX-RN and going crazy applying all over. I applied to AMC about 3 weeks ago today, could you message me and provide some insight as to how long the process took or how long it took to actually hear back from AMC?

Thank you!:nailbiting:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment