New Grad RN Jobs

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hello, would anyone like to share their experience of finding a job as a new graduate:

I will share my experience. I would like to start off by saying thats its not easy at all, but you cannot give up hope. I started job hunting online, applying to different hospitals once I took my NCLEX in February. I didn't get too many responses so I decided to wait until I actually received my license number. I received my license number in March and started back applying to jobs online and also I reapplied to evry job and included my license number. Welp, that didn't prove to make a difference at all, I still didn't get any responses.

Next, I decided to get a little more aggressive in my search and decided to go out in car and foot, applying alll over in person, showing my face and making good impressions. I would ask for business cards of the Human resources professional which included their names, phone numbers and sometimes their emails.

I realized that I was spending so much money in gas and also was lonely, so I joined forces with a colleague whom was also a new grad and we hit the streets. We went all over. We were both aggressive in a professional manner and we made a good team. The only thing about job hunting with a buddy is the fact that you now have competition. You have to be prepared for that down side, but on the up side, that person becomes your motivation to actually wanna go out everyday.

Finally, after successfully placing applications and being aggressive by calling and requesting interviews, both my friend and I both received a job offer after only 2 weeks of job hunting.... thats record breaking.!

My colleague actually received 2 job offers. Another facility we both applied to also called her. THis just goes to show that if you are aggressive and determined, you can get a job. Don't put all your eggs in one basket as my colleague would say, especially for you new grads who think that the hospital is your only destination. As a new grad, they don't quite want you. Try Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, you will have alot of luck as a new grad applying to this type of organization. One last thought of hope, both me and my colleague are also waiting on another job to call us, that we are sure we will get without a doubt. Its a new facility and its trying to get itself together. Thats 3 job offers for my friend, and 2 for me. ..... there is hope.

A JOB IN TWO WEEKS: Hard work and dedication is what it took. Out evryday by 830am and back home by 3p and sometimes 4pm..... U can do it. Don't give up!!!!!

chillin4me

526 Posts

Specializes in Hospice.

thank you for sharing your experience; i will try this one; maybe without a buddy; i've got no friend here coz im an international graduate; so i will be more aggressive.. goodluck to ur new job..

chillin4me

526 Posts

Specializes in Hospice.

i want to ask if you made a business card and leave it to every hospital or any HR manager u meet?

Specializes in operating room, dialysis.

Thankyou, and no I didn't make a business card for myself. What I did is I researched facilities before I actually went out. I always had a plan before I actually went out job hunting.

I would walk into each facility and ask to put in an application. After I filled it out, I would give it to the receptionist and then ask the receptionist questions, like is your nursing recruiter available, and if not can I have the business card of the nurse recruiter that way I could follow up within a week or so. Make sure you have cover letters and resumes with you to submit with each application you put in. You make sure you be aggressive by calling them, keep calling them and calling them. It works. Look forward to submitting many,many and many applications. And remember, hospitals alone will not land you a job at all..... apply everywhere.... especially nursing homes.

chillin4me

526 Posts

Specializes in Hospice.
Thankyou, and no I didn't make a business card for myself. What I did is I researched facilities before I actually went out. I always had a plan before I actually went out job hunting.

I would walk into each facility and ask to put in an application. After I filled it out, I would give it to the receptionist and then ask the receptionist questions, like is your nursing recruiter available, and if not can I have the business card of the nurse recruiter that way I could follow up within a week or so. Make sure you have cover letters and resumes with you to submit with each application you put in. You make sure you be aggressive by calling them, keep calling them and calling them. It works. Look forward to submitting many,many and many applications. And remember, hospitals alone will not land you a job at all..... apply everywhere.... especially nursing homes.

thank you! so does ur cover the general one? or the specific for a certain facility or hospital you planned to go within the day?

Specializes in operating room, dialysis.

I do have a general one and I also revise my general one to fit the institution I may be applying to if need be.

AidaRN

1 Post

I applied to a bunch of places online and haven't heard from any of them, so now I'm gonna follow your advice, thanks for sharing

kusini

17 Posts

Did anyone get in the Danbury Hospital new grad program? Any ideas if they will open up applications again?

Specializes in operating room, dialysis.

Aida RN,

Please keep us posted on how it goes. Its really interesting to hear about some of us new grads experiences. You will be surprised at the difference once you start applying vigourously in person. Remember, don't give up. Theres hope. If you need any advice, please feel free to ask me, I will be glad to answer. Be Aggressive... demand answers, professionally.

Specializes in operating room, dialysis.

I am not sure what the Danbury Hospital is... I will have to look that up. I am from NEw Jersey so I am not sure of that program....

kusini

17 Posts

There was a new grad progam advertised in Danbury Hospital Connecticut. Its since been taken off their website and am just wondering if anyone has any information on it.

Misskala

160 Posts

Really cute "Demand answers, professionally!"

That is such great advice, since a person who is not getting feedback starts to feel like they don't deserve to be talked to. I am there right now, and lord I deserve more! Best of luck ladies! :nurse:

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