New Grads...Don't give UP!!!!

[AleOnFire]

Hi everyone! This is my first post after almost two years of reading everyone else's posts. I graduated in May 2011 from National University with my BSN. Since March 2011 I have been applying to new grad programs in San Diego, literally hundreds and hundreds of them! Almost a year later and after only 3 interviews at a community clinic, UCSD and Sharp...I finally landed my DREAM JOB! So I'm here to tell everyone to not give up! I was seriously so over it up until yesterday afternoon. We all have to stop being shy and nervous about "bugging" nurse managers and just bust some doors down to get an interview. I applied for a position that wasn't even for new grads and I nailed it! We have to show that what we lack in experience, we make up for with enthusiasm for nursing and an eagerness to learn. Seriously everyone...DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!

[skyegirl]

Thanks everyone for the congrats! I got hired at Sharp Rees-Stealy Urgent Care. It's an amazing opportunity! I used an internship/volunteer program through Palomar Pomerado Health, here is the link:

Home | Palomar Health

I would suggest it for anyone who doesn't have any medical experience. The program is a volunteer program where you start as a nursing assistant helping patients with anything from changing linens to assisting with physical therapy. You are under an RN's supervision and you can't do anything too crazy. But its still a great program, and the more hours you complete you get to float to specialized departments such as Emergency or Critical Care and the best part is that you get specialized training for those areas. It's great, I highly recommend it and I'm sure it's helped me and my resume.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!

First, Congrats on the new job:)

But, I am pretty sure once you are a licensed RN, you cannot "volunteer" as a Nursing Assistant. Something to do with laws, etc. Not that I don't believe in volunteering (I do at our local shelter), but I need a paycheck. Also, the fact that these "volunteer opportunities" is what it has come to for RN's to try and land a job, well, I think it stinks. Honestly, I busted my butt through school, then boards, I want an RN job. I already volunteered at my clinicals/practicum.

[Patti_RN]

The suggestion to work as a volunteer is for people looking for their first job, as well as those looking for advancement. (Some managers consider volunteerism when considering employees for promotions.) Personally, I would much rather hire someone who has work experience either as a volunteer or an employee. Volunteer positions look very good on a person's resume; it shows commitment and determination as well as service to others.

[skyegirl]

Patti-RN, not all new grads live at home with their Mom and Dad. I have two teens that have gone without for a long time now while Mom persued her dream of becoming a nurse. I have bills to pay, and as great as volunteering may look on a resume, I need a paycheck. I don't mean to sound cold, because I do in volunteer (at an animal shelter) but at this point, a paycheck from even a LTC facility would be really helpful. Personally, I think the fact that someone "chose" nursing as a second career (me), gave up a 50K job to go back to school, and lost an 18 year old child while in school and continued on, shows commitment as well as determination.

[Laurenslovely]

Awww.... Congratulations!!! Thank you... You give me hope! (*_*)

[ExPharmaGirl, BSN, RN]

Congratulations to you! I'm graduating from NU in May. The fact that San Diego has 1300 applicants for every New Grad position is making me consider moving out of state.