How does a new grad RN get experience

Nurses Job Hunt

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How in the world does a new grad RN get nursing experience when all of the job postings state a minimum amount of experience required and/or "new grads not eligible to apply for this position"? I graduated nursing school in June, passed my nclex and have been applying like crazy for 4 months with not even 1 call for an interview! If the system will let me I apply even for jobs that state minimum 1yr of experience required, but I have never seen any jobs for new grads. I don't see a nursing shortage at all, except for experienced nurses, and how in the world do the administrators expect to hire experienced nurses when they don't offer or hire new grads to get experience!!

I see only 5 student nurse jobs available at the local hospital each year for student nurses to get experience, but that is hardly enough positions for the hundreds of students that graduate each year in nursing. So how does a graduate who was not lucky enough to get a student nurse position get that experience??

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

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I wish I knew. I am in the same boat. Hoping and praying something comes my way :) Good luck!

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I haven't logged in to my account in a while, but when I saw this post I had to respond. Do you have any CAH (Critical Access Hospital)s around you? I had never heard of a CAH until I moved to Kansas. And they have quite a few new grads working there. Some even drive from bigger cities (to the little city) just for that one year of experience. You could Google CAH and see what comes up. In my experience, some didn't even have websites, but there was a phone number to call. Just my two cents, and maybe it will help someone out there!

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I graduated in May, got my license in June, and didn't get an interview until September. Have you looked into med/surg? I know a lot of new grads do not want to start out on med/surg, but it is a great foundation, and you will get the experience you need if you decide to move to a different nursing area. I'm on my 7th week now, and I have learned so much! Just be patient and you'll land a job :)

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I graduated in May, got my license in June, and didn't get an interview until September. Have you looked into med/surg? I know a lot of new grads do not want to start out on med/surg, but it is a great foundation, and you will get the experience you need if you decide to move to a different nursing area. I'm on my 7th week now, and I have learned so much! Just be patient and you'll land a job :)

Which state are you?

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I graduated in May, got my license in June, and didn't get an interview until September. Have you looked into med/surg? I know a lot of new grads do not want to start out on med/surg, but it is a great foundation, and you will get the experience you need if you decide to move to a different nursing area. I'm on my 7th week now, and I have learned so much! Just be patient and you'll land a job :)

By the way, congratulations on your job. I graduated in June, but could not land a job yet, and even not an hospital interview:(

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This is so discouraging to hear for a pre-nursing student like myself but thanks for sharing.

keep applying and I am sure something great will come your way!

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Something great will come along with your name on it!! Don't loose faith now!! Keep sowing seeds and keep a positive attitude. With all the sowing you're sure to get a return sooner than later. :) let us know when you land that JOB!!

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I just passed the exam, but I still don't have my license yet, I do have only 3months of experience, but it's not enough because most hospitals here in Minnesota needed at least 1 year of experience, we're on the same situation right now too. I hope we can land a job pretty soon! My plan is to volunteer and get experience and.certificates if they accept that here I guess that'll be the only solution.

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I got my license in 2009 and i had my second child, so I didn't work until now. Now I am looking for a job, and it feels like impossible to get. I live in california, and feels like they dont have shortage of nurses. Any Idea, what I can do to improve my chances, what certifications that I can do with out any experience. Any input helps. thank you.

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

The true is only working as an RN and passing meds with your license is considered "experience" even working as a SNF will not always translate as experience to some hiring managers. Volunteering will not either. The only way out right now is to find small hospitals usually located in remote areas of remote states who are hiring new grads. I got my first job doing that. Not easy and I had to get out of my comfort zone but I'm working, passing meds with my licence and learning. Hey...I looked for almost 2 years. Keep trying. You'll get there only if you stop you'll not get there.

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Ditto.. also frm CA... 18 mos out of RN school.. 100's applications out... no responses/ Help!

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