New Grad RN-->No Jobs, Then what?

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I have been reading through these threads and haven't seen an answer to this question. I know that it is tough to get a new grad RN position and some say they are still looking after a year post graduation. So what happens to those who get no experience and in effect are now "old grads with no experience" when the job market begins to open up again? What do those in the know recommend for those who may not be able to get a job within a year or two of graduation? Do you get more certifications, i.e. ACLS, PALS, etc while waiting for the market to open? Do you volunteer in a hospital? If volunteering, do hospitals allow clinical practice as a licensed RN volunteer? (Of course, there may be union issues with that). Essentially, will a licensed RN with no experience become obsolete since many will graduate and be "newer" when the job market opens again?

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I am a waitress... :-/

I graduated in July of 2008 and passed my boards April of 2009. While waiting for interviews, I got certified in BLS, ACLS and PALS. Believe me, it helps on your resume . The person who interviewed me was really impressed that I took the time and money to invest in these certificates. :wink2: If you still can't find a RN job, maybe you can work as a CNA until the job market picks up.

Hi,

Could you tell me how to do to receive these certified in BLS, ACLS and PALS, you need to pay the money?

Thank you!

Just look in your local phone book and find a place that offer these certificates. YES, you have to pay for all of them. The person who looks at your resume will be impressed:yeah:

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Sometimes hospitals allow people not employed there to take them as well...google also can find them. Chances are if you are in nursing school you had to become BLS certified. Sometimes those places offers those as well. ACLS I found was between $200 and $300 in Michigan. (So you can know a average price) Look around you may always find one cheaper then the 1st place you looked. Plus 1 place may have BLS cheaper but ACLS more expensive (and vise versa)

I just spoke with a nurse manager who gave me some advise. She stated that you should join nursing organizations such as Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) and/or get certified in the area that interests you. For the most part it seems to cost money and looks good on your resume.

I just spoke with a nurse manager who gave me some advise. She stated that you should join nursing organizations such as Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) and/or get certified in the area that interests you. For the most part it seems to cost money and looks good on your resume.

I always thought that many of these certifications required hospital experience, esp. Med-Surg certification. I looked on the AMSN site and it says that a minimum of 2 yrs acute care experience as an RN is required to be eligible to get certification.

So how does one get certified without even getting an entry level job in acute care?

I have ACLS, BCLS, PALS, for the past year, and still hasn't helped me get a job. They were great to take, and I learned alot, but hasn't helped me get a job in a hospital yet. The job market is very competitive in certain areas.

Specializes in Psych..

Get certifications like ACLS and PALS. I interviewed for an ED new grad position that received 300 applicants. The hiring manager told me I interviewed beautifully and the only reason I wasn't at the top of the hiring list was that a lot of other applicants had those expensive certifications already.

Who knows, she may have been blowing smoke, but it's worth considering.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I have ACLS, BCLS, PALS, for the past year, and still hasn't helped me get a job. They were great to take, and I learned alot, but hasn't helped me get a job in a hospital yet. The job market is very competitive in certain areas.

Do you list the certifications on your resume so they can see?

Well I hadn't looked into it yet she had just told me that. I did some research and the only certifications that I can find that med surg do say you need to have 2+years of experience. So I don't know what she was talking about. I just know she told me I couldn't get the job at this time and that this certification would help me get the job at a later date. Thanks for the info!

The job market is very tough. I have applied easily to 300-400 jobs (lost count) over the past year and have recently broadened my search from just Colorado to the whole USA and get the same response. Not qualified, not enough experience. I'd say get a job in rehab or LTAC (long term acute care) would be the best bet for anyone who can't find something. At least its some experience.

Do you list the certifications on your resume so they can see?

Yes, I do. I have also received a compliment such as 'that's great that you got these certifications', while talking to some recruiters, but still didn't get the job because they said they still had to 'interview other candidates', or they are looking for nurses with more acute care experience at this time. After all my searching, I think the factor that weighs most is Experience, at least in all the numerous hospitals that I've applied to.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Oh that stinks! I am having problems with that too. That they want more experience. I am trying though. I haven't got to the certification part yet...but that is coming soon. In hopes that it will help a little.

Specializes in School RN, Ambulatory, Public Health.

Thanks for all the input! I will definitely look into volunteering at a free clinic. It would be nice to be able to incorporate RN practice and not just observe. I also checked out adding on certifications like ACLS. They don't seem to be offered too frequently and are expensive, but no doubt, useful to have. I actually spoke to the director of the skills lab at the nursing school I attended and she said she may decide to offer a refresher type course for their grads who are losing skills while not employed.

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