I'm becoming very discouraged

Nurses Job Hunt

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I took my NCLEX exam before Thanksgiving and have been putting in applications. I put in maybe 35 applications and went in person to several places. So far I've gotten one interview and then was declined for 35 positions. I'm beginning to think as a new nurse I'm never going to get a job. I went into nursing school being told there were all kinds of jobs and we'd get a job as soon as we were out. I'm about to loose my home and don't know what else to try. Some of my cohort already have jobs. They were offered during their preceptorship but the place I was put does not hire new nurses.

Any way just needed somewhere to go vent and cry. Anyone have ideas how I can make myself more presentable or capable to get that first job as a nurse?

Specializes in Public Health, Women's Health.
health department usually wants MSN Case Managers.

I applied and thought, no way I'd get it but I would love to work there. I'm an ADN graduate with some minor experience and was hired! I had no idea a new grad could work there but I'm so glad I tried anyway. That's unfortunate they require a MSN. I was going to recommend OP try for government/state jobs.

Specializes in geriatrics.

Many people had to relocate for that first job, myself included. Have someone proof read your resume also, but keep applying. 35 applications isn't that many. Some people sent out 100-300 apps in this economy before they had 1-2 interviews. It isn't just you. The market is very sluggish in most areas. Good luck!

The market is tight even for experienced nurses. I would agree that re-doing the resume might help. I re-vamped mine and got a few nibbles that way. Also, don't give up...my current job was one I applied to numerous times. I applied every time they had an opening, even if I was rejected before, and eventually, I got that call. Be persistent! Sometimes you may want to consider widening your "net" and looking at shifts/jobs you previously would not have preferred, or even just getting a per diem or other job to get a foot in the door. It is really tough in the job market. I send you well wishes in your search! Hang in there.

It is tough. I am employed, but have been looking for a per diem position to supplement for months. Like others have said, qualifications can be specific. I've been a nurse for 2.5 yrs and I'm not qualified for a lot even with critical care and L&D experience. My best advice is to use your contacts from school, clinicals, whatever. Honestly, who you know can open a door. Most people want to help. If you did well in a class or clinical, contact that person/unit.

Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

Yes the game have changed even though they (nursing schools) still push the programs as usual. Hospitals are not hiring right now and only 45% of new grads are getting training. The nursing shortage is over for now but a new one is coming soon, stay put.

Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.
I don't know why it is, but at least from what I've seen, classmates aren't too helpful when it comes to helping others get jobs. I tried to help a friend get a job by telling them which places had called me for interviews so they could apply and even telling them the questions I was asked in the interviews, but for some reason we drifted apart when I got a job and they didn't have one. It's weird, but I've never been surprised to see people thrive on the failure of others instead of being happy for their success. I don't think the job hunting process is any exception.

Why would anyone be helpful to 'competition'?

LOL

I helped 3-4 of my classmates (AFTER I MADE SURE THAT I HAD A JOB, FIRST) and told them to keep their traps shut to the rest of our class. No, really.

I'd be like, "Shut up...!" LOL

Some of my classmates - they used to act like job hunting was a group assignment.

They'd hear about a position and blab it to everyone.

Why would anyone be helpful to 'competition'?

LOL

I helped 3-4 of my classmates (AFTER I MADE SURE THAT I HAD A JOB, FIRST) and told them to keep their traps shut to the rest of our class. No, really.

I'd be like, "Shut up...!" LOL

Some of my classmates - they used to act like job hunting was a group assignment.

They'd hear about a position and blab it to everyone.

I guess you could look at them as competition. By the time I had a phone call and interview set up or went through the interview, I didn't really see a classmate just then putting in an application as competition. I mean, if the manager planned on hiring me, I doubt one of my classmates would've blown them out of the water so much that they'd change their mind about me and take back my offer. I guess some people aren't as confident as others. If I didn't have a job and my classmate had 3 offers, I would hope they would help me out. Apparently that's crazy.

Thanks all, Sorry I didn't get back sooner. Decided to not think about not finding a job and went to my mothers and painted her bathroom for her.

Well I've had my teachers, my mom, my sister, and my precepter review my resume and cover letters. I've also gone in person to several locations and spoke to hiring managers but each one tells me they don't hire new grads. Makes me wonder how any new nurse gets a job. I've applied at all the hospitals in the area and within driving range. (meaning I don't have to fly to get there lol but up to an hours drive). I've also looked at clinics and some nursing homes/skilled nursing homes but no bites.

I've also been trying since school to find a job in my other field but that's very tight as well and seems the temp agencies don't have much. But I'm still looking everywhere. I was wondering if I should try Alaska lol, isn't that state always hiring for something? As for my classmates, the ones that stayed in touch are ones without jobs.

One would think there would be someone willing to hire me. I always see about 10-15 openings per facility I check but they all say they don't hire new nurses. Makes me wonder if they ever get the positions filled. One hospital is even using all their day shift nurses to pick up and work extra day's and night shifts but won't hire new grads even though they are loosing their staff left and right. Just doesn't make since to me.

Thanks again all for the encouragement. I'll keep getting out there and pounding the pavement. Hopefully someone will give in and give me a try!

I'm in the same boat as you (as are many new grads!)...I just earned my associate's degree in June and got licensed in October and have probably submitted 200 resume/apps! Here's my strategy, maybe some of this would at least help you get an interview:

1. Find out which hospitals will hire both your degree type and new grads. If you know anyone that works at that facility, make sure to put them down as an "employee referral" as this could flag your application to the manager.

2. Craigslist! Who knew it was such a gold mine of job postings, but I've found that this is where the clinics and LTC facilities post their openings first and its usually alot easier to apply, most of the time they post an email to use to send them your resume and cover letter.

3. City, County, State, Federal job sites. Sign up for all of them and check them every day! I've found that there are new jobs there at least a few times a week and I've had good success being able to get interest...I just went to an interview for a state hospital this week and feel like I have a good chance of getting an interview at our VA hospital as well.

4. Google...on days when my usual sites don't have much, I use Google to find those LTC, Assisted living, clinic, dialysis centers or ambulatory surgical centers that are in my area and search their company websites for jobs...you would be surprised at how many small companies just post it on their website and don't advertise it.

5. Local paper (online version) job classified...this has been kind of hit and miss for me, there was about a month where there were alot of postings (I got one of my interviews from this search) but its definitely tapered off lately...I check it maybe twice a week now instead of daily.

6. Reach out to your classmates that have jobs and ask if they know of anything opening up soon at their facility. It seems like the hiring comes in waves so you probably just missed that first wave. Once the holidays are over, hiring managers will get re-focused on hiring more people. But don't slack off during the holidays because if a facility wants to have someone start by Jan. 1st, now is when they are calling people in for interviews.

Don't get discouraged...you are a professional now and most professionals don't get a job on the first interview. You're also a new grad so understand that as a new hire, you will take more time (aka cost more money from the budget) to train and get ready to be on your own. This won't necessarily hold you back but you have to convince them that you're worth it! I created a document that has all of the hard interview questions already prepared and then I update it for that specific facility...I include their mission statement and change my "why do you want to work here" question to be specific to them. It works and after 4 interviews, I am so much more confident with my answers, I don't stumble over my words, and I think it will only be a few more weeks or so before I get some sort of offer. Learn how to answer the questions succinctly and not ramble off topic...nothing is more annoying than someone who talks just to talk...practice with someone if you need to.

Also, don't discount part time or temporary jobs as this will help you start to work on that "one year of experience" requirements that we all see so often in job descriptions. Perhaps you have to work two part time jobs for a while? Be creative, volunteer at the facilities want to work at, and don't give up!!

Good luck!!

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Nursing has ALWAYS had its phases like this. I went to a career fair in the mid nineties when I was in middle school and there were nursing recruiters there telling me to try another profession because there was an oversaturation of nurses, plus the economy was bad then as well. Fast forward twenty years now and it's the same thing, so don't give up!!! I graduated in May passed the NCLEX in June and am a candidate for a position in a PICU in my area, who does hire new grads. I started receiving interviews since September. I tweaked my résumé to point out my skills and experience, which made my résumé stand out more. They will tell me whether or not I have the job within the next week. So far, this is the only position that I applied for and made it this far! My classmates and I also gave each other leads and encouragement as well. At least in my area, it takes about 4-18 months to land a job. If you can, research any certifications that you can take, even a CNA or tech job to obtain facility experience-try to build hospital experience, because most places worry if you can deal with the high stress levels and politics that the facility engages in. If you are able to, take a chance and go to another state. Most places have been contacting me from TX NM, and CA and will pay for relocation, housing, and training. That is my next step if I can't or don't have a position within a few months.

"One would think there would be someone willing to hire me. I always see about 10-15 openings per facility I check but they all say they don't hire new nurses. Makes me wonder if they ever get the positions filled. One hospital is even using all their day shift nurses to pick up and work extra day's and night shifts but won't hire new grads even though they are loosing their staff left and right. Just doesn't make since to me." -OP

This is common near me.

Think outside the box. Try dialysis clinics. County jails. State prisons. Detox clinics. Methadone dispensaries. Skilled nursing facilities. And many (if not most) of these places pay better wages than your local hospital.

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