How long is it taking to land your 1st new grad job?

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  1. This is a discussion on How long is it taking to land your 1st new grad job? in Nursing First Job Hunt Assistance, part of Nursing Career Advice ... Hello fellow nurses! I am wondering how long it is taking to land that first RN job. I know...

    by Aug 17, '12
    Hello fellow nurses!

    I am wondering how long it is taking to land that first RN job. I know in some states jobs are scarce and I have read that many people have been looking over a year and still do not have a job. So I am wondering what you guys have heard or are experiencing. Also, if you could share which state you are in since job markets are varying from state to state.

    I am going on two months of being a new grad, but have only been applying to jobs for about 2 weeks. I am just trying to get a realistic outlook on the market.

    Thanks!
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    by BotoxBaby Aug 17, '12 7:42 pm
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  3. 40 Comments so far...

  4. Aug 17, '12 by
    I'm in NYC. I graduated in December, passed the boards in March and have been actively applying since January. I've been working as a camp nurse this summer and I was just offered a position in the NICU yesterday. I start next month. This whole time I have sent out hundreds of resumes and applications but have only had 3 interviews.
  5. Aug 17, '12 by
    Hi,
    I graduated this past May. I have been applying to jobs since I graduated. I became licensed in mid July, and received a job offer in the beginning of August. So, it took about 2.5 months. However, I know that seems pretty short but it wasn't easy. I received a job offer by attending a job fair, thank God I attended! Some of the managers were there and we had group interviews. I'm in Texas.

    Good Luck!
    cbennett3 likes this.
  6. Aug 17, '12 by
    Quote from Nurse Connie
    I'm in NYC. I graduated in December, passed the boards in March and have been actively applying since January. I've been working as a camp nurse this summer and I was just offered a position in the NICU yesterday. I start next month. This whole time I have sent out hundreds of resumes and applications but have only had 3 interviews.
    Congrats on finally landing a position!!! That is so exciting, especially in NICU!

    Now out of those hundreds of applications, in general, do the companies send rejection letters/emails or is there no real way of knowing what happened to your application/resume? What's your opinion?
  7. Aug 17, '12 by
    Quote from itfeelsgr82savealife
    Hi,
    I graduated this past May. I have been applying to jobs since I graduated. I became licensed in mid July, and received a job offer in the beginning of August. So, it took about 2.5 months. However, I know that seems pretty short but it wasn't easy. I received a job offer by attending a job fair, thank God I attended! Some of the managers were there and we had group interviews. I'm in Texas.

    Good Luck!
    Great to hear that you were offered a position so quickly! It gives me some hope. It's great that you got to speak with someone during the job fair. From what I have heard, the recruiters aren't even spending time talking to new grads during the jobfairs here (CA). That's not stopping me though, I am still going to attend one at the end of the month and see what comes of it. Now I need to go the extra mile to impress the recruiters somehow!
  8. Aug 17, '12 by
    Thank you! I've only recieved a handful of e-mails telling me I wasn't qualified for the position I applied for or the position was filled. A few respones saying there were no positions open and they will keep my resume on file. Mostly, I heard nothing back.
  9. Aug 17, '12 by
    Thanks Nurse Connie...I just like to know what to expect. Congrats again!
  10. Aug 18, '12 by
    Graduated in May 2012. Sat for NCLEX 6/21. - Got offered my first job - a part time position about 3 weeks later. Then during orientation for that job, I got a call from the very first place I applied to after graduation in May. So right now I have 2 jobs but thinking about giving up my first job. Never thought I'd have the dilemma of too many jobs. Can't make the schedules fit and I don't want to work 7 days a week and burn myself out so I have to give it up. Plus I want to start working on my BSN and finish it as soon as possible. Not sure if I can work 7 days a week and do the BSN so I think its for the best to give up the part time job. I sent out about 50 applications. Went to 2 job fairs, 3 interviews and had 1 phone convo with a DON.

    Only about half the people in my class have jobs thus far. I'm in GA. Good luck with your job search!
    CallieNM likes this.
  11. Aug 18, '12 by
    Hello!
    I'm in the DC, MD, Northern VA area and passed my boards in March 2012. I JUST got a job. Keep your head up..it will happen eventually. I should also say that I turned down 3 jobs offers. I did this because I really wanted to work in a hospital instead of clinics. Luckily, I was in the position to be able to wait until I received an offer from a hospital.
    Best of luck to you in your job search!
  12. Aug 18, '12 by
    I'm originally from Ohio, graduated in December 2010 and passed my boards in March 2011. Started applying for jobs in TX after getting licensed because I knew that is where I was moving. I got a call for an ICU internship opportunity but the remaining spots were limited. They also wanted me to fly out there and interview at my own expense. I politely turned down the offer. Moved to TX in May and within 2 weeks I got a call for an interview and got a job. Don't give up.