Hello Nurse Beth, I graduated in Feb. 2016 and obtained my RN in May (first try). I have been applying since and it seems as if I am struggling to find something. I am getting rather down and frustrated. I am aware that they want experience but how can I get any experience if no one is willing to give me a chance to show that I want to work hard for them and they won't regret their decision... all my classmates have jobs now and I am still in search for a chance. I have given my resume to friends to critique, but they all say it is great but the experience area is lacking. I have gotten references from friends, wrote the nurse manager on the floor, and now I feel like I will stand in front of a hospital with a sign saying "RN will work for experience". I would love your help in any way.

Dear Discouraged, First of all, congratulations on passing your NCLEX, RN! Hang in there- you will land a job. It's been a relatively short time, so don't despair. You do need a plan. In today's market, it takes strategy to land a new grad nursing interview, stand out, and WOW them. Your joke about standing in front of a hospital with a sign saying "RN will work for experience" is funny (although I know you are not feeling it right now) and actually on target for "standing out from the others", but too extreme. Read "How to Land Your First Nursing Job" for helpful hints. You say that all your classmates have jobs. In thinking about it, what have you determined is the difference between you and all your classmates? This is key. You all have the same qualifications. You say they have landed jobs while you have not. Timing Did you wait to apply until you passed the NCLEX? For readers out there, start applying in your last semester. Waiting until you pass your NCLEX can put you months behind your classmates and competitors. Many new grad programs accept applicants into the program contingent upon obtaining their nursing license prior to the start of the residency program, or close to it. References References from friends do not carry weight. You need a reference from a Clinical Instructor who supervised you. References from clinical instructors carry a lot of weight for several reasons. They observed you during your clinical rotations when you were under stress to perform. Clinical instructors often have strong ties to the local hospitals, and many even work in hospitals. Their recommendation is invaluable. Again, a note to nursing students who may be reading this- obtain these all-important references while you are still in school. At the end of a clinical rotation, ask your instructor for a letter of reference. They should be on school letterhead (but they know this). Resume If you are not landing interviews, then your resume may be the culprit. The fact that your friends say your resume is "great" - again, does not carry weight. Read "Revamp Your Resume" and make sure your resume is succinct, tailored to each employer, and contains pertinent keywords. Your resume must be error-free and visually appealing. Avoid lengthy descriptions of your clinical rotations- they do not add value. It's a given that you "administered medications" and "inserted Foleys"- but these do not set you apart from other candidates. Application Letter Many employers ask new nurses applying to a new grad residency program to submit an application letter along with their application. They may ask the applicants to answer one of a few choices of questions in a short essay. Examples of these type of questions may include "Why did you become a nurse?" "Why do you want to work here (at St. John's, or Adventist Health, etc.)?" Often times a point system is employed to rank new grad applicants. For example, applicants can score 1-9 points. Take special care with your letter, as it is worth points in the application process. Interview Prep What have you done to prepare for your nursing interviews? Have you anticipated commonly asked questions, such as " What's Your Greatest Weakness?" and "Tell Us About Yourself"....because you will be asked. You must have two or three story form examples you plan to use that illustrate your skills. Here's an example of what nurse interviewers really think . Try to think like an employer. Employers are looking for employees who fit in. Nurse managers are protective of the culture and work ethic they have promoted. During an interview, if you can show that you fit into the culture and are eager to learn, you stand a good chance.

New Grad: How can I get experience if nobody will give me a chance?

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation! Nurses Nurse Beth Nursing Q/A

You are reading page 3 of New Grad: How can I get experience if nobody will give me a chance?

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Newbie_RN17

121 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency.

Are you kidding? There's a nursing shortage for heaven sakes! They should take you for an internship- anywhere!! Your job is around the corner, but add, when posting, or looking, 'internship'. Please don't even think twice about 'ever' getting a position. You will!!
Chris

Yeah...but heres the thing: there isnt a national shortage. Yes, some areas are very short of nurses but a lot are VERY oversaturated.

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OrganizedChaos, LVN

1 Article; 6,883 Posts

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Are you kidding? There's a nursing shortage for heaven sakes! They should take you for an internship- anywhere!! Your job is around the corner, but add, when posting, or looking, 'internship'. Please don't even think twice about 'ever' getting a position. You will!!
Chris

There is not an out & about national shortage of nurses. If you actually really look, most places want experienced nurses. Or the jobs for new grads are in undesirable locations. So no, there is no nursing shortage. There might be in your area & I know the hospital in my town is always desperate for nurses but I don't live in a great area.

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~Shrek~

347 Posts

If you are willing to work outside the hospital setting or move, you will get a job in no time!

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LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN

8,429 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

DTWriter said:

Oh, and the whole "this type of RN experience will block you out of that type of RN experience" is BS. Any type of RN experience (whether it be hospital, SNF, LTC, clinic, doctor's office, etc.) is valuable. There are hiring managers out there who will take nurses who have RN experience in something rather than those who did nothing for months on end because they were waiting for that "perfect" job; you just have to go out there and find them. Be "One Piece" about it.

Side note: Though, don't get me wrong. I am not saying that you should accept just "any" job offer. At least, do not feel compel to stay in a place where you feel uncomfortable and constantly depressed, especially if you can afford to move on.

Agree.

I went from Critical Care (not a fit) to LTC, to Post Acute to an ED. It is very possible; it also helps working outside of the hospital setting because there are so many conditions managed at home or in a nursing home when those patients appear in the ED, having that working knowledge is essential. :yes:

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osi2011

191 Posts

OMG! I can't believe people would actually do something like that!!! Why fuzzy pjs?!! Sometimes I wonder if common sense is actually common...

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strawberryluv, BSN, RN

768 Posts

Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

Maybe consider looking outside of acute care. I got my first job at a long term care with short term rehab. It was a horrible three months in that position that drove me crazy but I learned a lot. It was almost having the acute care vibe working rehab. It is definitely a challenge to work rehab. If you want a taste of acutr care, try short term rehab a.k.a subacute.

Nursing homes generally seem to take new grads quickly and I am loving long term care even though I looked down on it while in school as not being the specialty I wanted to be in. Well, look at me now...seven months post passing nclex and I am still in this speciality. Try some other areas to see if it's a fit.

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amaiasmom

33 Posts

I'm also a new grad looking for my first job. I graduated with a MSN from a top school, have almost a 4.0, amazing letters of recommendation from clinical faculty, many years of research experience, clinical experiences from a highly ranked teaching hospital, a polished resume approved by my university's career experts, extensive global and community volunteer experiences, and was the recipient of a couple prestigious awards and I have been offered 1 interview since May and didn't get the job. I have been rejected by almost all of the hospitals I have applied to without an offer for an interview! It's still early for me and I'm hopeful but I completely understand your frustration and I'm just telling you my story to let you know you're not alone. I did everything in my power to set myself apart from other candidates. At this point it's in God's hands. Best of luck to you.

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