****Highly decorated RN new grad can't find a job...Any advice???****

When I started applying for jobs I focused heavily on listing my clinical time as experience and listed specifically tasks and patients I had managed during school.

A little more focus on this should give you more of an "experienced" look, then coupled with your achievements in school.

Also letters of recommendation from instructors on your clinical experience and knowledge are always a bonus.

Best of luck!

Tait

My first reaction was military vet looking for a job. In my world "highly decorated" refers to service personnel with a rack of medals.

Moved to Nursing Career Advice forum.

Check our thread: Wondering why you can't get hired or promoted: Resume + Interview hints!

2008-2009 will be remembered by nursing graduates + HR departments as tough time to graduate and hire. Due to the economic down turn, this is the tightest nursing job market in 15 years for new graduates --and experienced nurses alike. Philadelphia to Boston is one of the tightest areas for new grads. Yet 5-10 years from now, 40% current RN workforce will begin retirement, some moving to part time positions rather than full retirement due to economic hit our savings taken over past 2 years and easing our of career. This has also been my experience with RN's retiring in the last 5 --all 3 stayed on per diem; one working till age 75, only stopped as spouse got sick.
Due to economic forces/reimbursement issues, Skilled nursing facilities in Philly area are not hiring new RN grads for floor positions utilizing LPN's instead.
Please look at the link above for resume and career interview advice, especially questions to expect in interview and ways to answer. Agree with leslie :-D, make sure your desperation to land RN position not coming off as "hard sell" individual. Managers want people who are capable of working together as a team, eager to learn, show interest in organization as a whole and have prior work experience of 1-2 years duration (shows capable of sustained interest, not job hopper) along with education that meets job requirements.

In my 7 yrs as Manager, those that come across as overconfident in an interview, often don't last through orientation as not receptive to learning from staff, are perceived by colleagues as "me" needing to get out on time, wanting everything NOW when colleague in middle of crisis situation, and don't see the "we" in offering to help out colleagues when own work caught up. I once lost a job where I'd worked agency and had applied for staff --just having 2nd child wanted 2-3 days per diem, voiced how position would fit ME ---and staff perceived not a team player and offer rescinded.

Last RN and clerical positions I've hired, very disappointed that applicants are listing educational/clinical settings as work experience --it's' not the same! List separately as "Clinical Experience". Do not list not list "EXZ college graduation 2011" when you have not yet matriculated or only taking 1-2 courses.
DO list college major and years attending program: 2nd yr student in business administration, 3rd year Nursing Major, Senior in Healthcare Administration program etc.
No paid job experience but have volunteer experience --list under that heading. Very important to include as shows willing to be a member of a community.
Resumes should have 1 inch margins so when I print from online job website info not chopped off the page ---also allows me to highlight /comment on skill in margins.

When interview granted, bring crisp typed Reference List! Shows you are prepared instead of asking for piece of paper from interviewer, digging in handbag for crumbled prior photocopy list, looking in cell phone for names or telling me you'll email list. Dress for interview success in business casual without children in tow. Turn cell phone OFF or on vibrate during interview. My experiences past year hiring staff.

Be prepared to settle for a non-hospital first position. Place your resume out there on career sites. Pull out the phone book and apply to every medical hospital, free standing medical facility, home health agency and doctors office in the area you desire to work. Apply for student internships, nursing assistant, unit clerk/ UAP positions to get your foot in the door. Network with charge staff at clinical sites, clinical instructors and attended district and state nursing association meetings ---never know when someone is hiring! Expect the search to take 6 mo-1 year if living in tight job market. I do expect hiring freeze to ease up in 2010.

Wishing everyone best in landing that first position.

Great advice..

If you're willing to relocate, King's Daughters Medical Center (Ashland, KY) is hiring new RN grads.

Thanks NRSKarenRN. I wish that all new grads could read what you and other posters have said. I sit on an interview team at my hospital and read many resumes too. Most people wouldn't believe how many state that they will work only day shift, M-F only, no weekends or holidays. Then they call, and can't believe that we're just not dying to hire them. All new grads: make yourself as marketable as possible! Take on volunteer experiences if possible. Take any job in nursing if you have to, LTC is not for losers! Be open to things other than your dream job. Many a nurse has went into a "nightmare" job, only to fall in love with that area beyond anything they could have imagined. There are so many variables, don't close yourself off from any experience.