New Grads, It is Possible!

Nurses Job Hunt

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New Grads... it is possible!

I know that I for one feel lied to, especially by my nursing instructors. Not once did they make it seem like any of us would have a hard time landing an RN position. They even made it sound like we would have our pick of specialties. Unfortunately not long after graduation I found that this was not the case.

I graduated in May of this year with a BSN and the hopes of landing a hospital job. Not my dream job, but a hospital job. Ideally I would work in OB or PEDS but I knew I had to be willing to do whatever it took to get in somewhere.

I moved 1000 miles away from my home, and a huge new hospital that had just opened and was accepting new grads for Med- Surg left and right. Many of my friends even got Oncology, ED and ICU positions. I applied to EVERYTHING I could find and did not receive my first call back until 5 months after graduation. It was for a pediatric home health position which actually scared the crap out of me but I figured I would give it a try. I started that and on the side did flu shot clinics.

I was starting to feel like nothing was going to happen for me, that I would be staying in home health for at least a year to gain some skills. FINALLY, 6 months after graduation I received a call back from a major children's hospital for an interview. I was so excited that I could hardly stand it!!! I interviewed and accepted the position less than 24 hours later!!!

It is possible for a new grad with little experience to get into the hospital. I knew NO ONE in this hospital and still landed an interview. I applied online as well. I was starting to wonder what universe all of those online applications where ending up in!? Apparently my application landed in the hands of the right person. I pray that yours all end up in the right hands as well. I know how devastating this job market is for new grads and have read countless posts from new nurses a year out from graduation with not a single job lead. I hope you all find something soon! I truly feel so blessed that words cannot describe. Thanks for listening.

Specializes in LPN/Geriactrics.
New Grads... it is possible!

I know that I for one feel lied to, especially by my nursing instructors. Not once did they make it seem like any of us would have a hard time landing an RN position. They even made it sound like we would have our pick of specialties. Unfortunately not long after graduation I found that this was not the case.

I graduated in May of this year with a BSN and the hopes of landing a hospital job. Not my dream job, but a hospital job. Ideally I would work in OB or PEDS but I knew I had to be willing to do whatever it took to get in somewhere.

I moved 1000 miles away from my home, and a huge new hospital that had just opened and was accepting new grads for Med- Surg left and right. Many of my friends even got Oncology, ED and ICU positions. I applied to EVERYTHING I could find and did not receive my first call back until 5 months after graduation. It was for a pediatric home health position which actually scared the crap out of me but I figured I would give it a try. I started that and on the side did flu shot clinics.

I was starting to feel like nothing was going to happen for me, that I would be staying in home health for at least a year to gain some skills. FINALLY, 6 months after graduation I received a call back from a major children's hospital for an interview. I was so excited that I could hardly stand it!!! I interviewed and accepted the position less than 24 hours later!!!

It is possible for a new grad with little experience to get into the hospital. I knew NO ONE in this hospital and still landed an interview. I applied online as well. I was starting to wonder what universe all of those online applications where ending up in!? Apparently my application landed in the hands of the right person. I pray that yours all end up in the right hands as well. I know how devastating this job market is for new grads and have read countless posts from new nurses a year out from graduation with not a single job lead. I hope you all find something soon! I truly feel so blessed that words cannot describe. Thanks for listening.

Congrats on the new job!!!! I am also in florida what part are u from Im from jacksonville and waiting to sit for the boards...

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

There are many ways forward.

My own took me over 200 miles from home every week to a place doing m/s work and earning about 50% of the prevailing wage with scant benefits. I continued to work hard, learn as much as I could, and network. The hard work and good attitude finally earned me a spot in the ED there and the networking opened up a part-time ED gig closer to home, albeit both gigs on nights including every Friday and Saturday.

Finally, I managed to secure an ED position at a level 1 trauma center, though it took years of pain and sacrifice.

Of course, my journey is not yours, but the point is that people find their way... the one thing all of the success stories have in common is PERSISTENCE.

It can be hard to hold your head up and continue to fight the good fight but that is the only way forward.

(Regarding ACLS/PALS, etc... they're not an advantage because many new grads already have them... unless the jobs specifically require it, it may not be of much use. On the other hand, the tiny rural hospitals often don't offer the classes and prefer staff to obtain the certs on their own... they certainly can't hurt, though)

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Specializes in assisted living.

Hi owlRN01!

Congrats on the job!! Did you have any prior healthcare experience...CNA? LPN?

Thanks :-)

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

To be fair to your instructors, they likely had NO IDEA what was/is going on in the nursing job market. Nursing instructors are not exactly known for being up to date.

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Specializes in geriatrics, hospice, private duty.

Congrats! My theory is that d/t the economic downturn the notorious sock monster has taken on a second job diverting online applications to the land of missing socks. Naturally the sock monster does not prefer this job because applications don't come in pairs, leaving no tell-tale evidence of its impressively stealthy work....

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Specializes in OB.

congrats, enjoy your new position

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Congratulations on landing your first nursing job. I am also a new grad and I went to school in CT and I found that I had to move out of state to find a job in FL. I am happy I did because I have a med surg fulltie R we hour day shifts so for me this is a dream come true. Many of my friends in CT have either not found jobs or had to settle for a nursing home job. I am sorry that your instructors put in your head unreal expectations for your job outlook, but in reality I don't think anyone should be relying on the word of their instructors about the current job market. Any students reading this now, I would recommend looking at the job postings of the hospitals you are interested in and seeing if they are requiring expereince and bachelors and check back to see if there are opportunities you are qualified for so you will have realistic expectations. ;ust because you went to school doesn't mean you are entitled to a job. You have to hustle, be persistent, make it happen.

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I see hospital systems near me wanting new RN grads, or it says they will consider new grads, but for people between 1-5 years experience it's a pain! New grads have an advantage because they don't have to "unlearn" the methods of their previous employer and are so fresh, so excited, so eager and will do any assignment with joy just to be working as a nurse. Good luck!!!

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My dear I know how you feel. I remember completing the last six weeks of the program and a nurse in my clinical group said, "It's like a elephant in the room and no one is willing to acknowledge it." I also left my home state and traveled 2000 miles away from my family for almost two years. I came back to my home state and did a travel position. They made my life a living nightmare! I was so glad that I NEVER got a job here in the first place. I get so mad when I see those articles about nursing shortages. It makes more people apply to nursing school and then when they graduate, the jobs are scarce. I try not be negative for perspective nursing students. I don't want to discourage anyone. I guess you have to graduate and see it for yourself. It sure ain't no walk in the park profession either. Anyway, I feel your pain.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

One of our instructors came right out and verbalized what we'd already figured out for ourselves: "The truth is, most of you won't find jobs, anyway..."

To those who are looking to cast blame upon their instructors or the nursing schools: Didn't you take the initiative to do a bit of research before leaping into a career choice?

I understand the frustration about the job situation... "been there, done that"... but if you're surprised by the employment situation, you have nobody but yourself to blame. It's been very obvious for several years, now, for anybody who's looked at it at all.

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Congratulations, OP :)

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I just recently moved to Hawaii a couple months ago, and there are NO new grad positions here! It's definitely the worst here than anywhere else. I'm originally from PA and all of my friends who I graduated with in August already have RN jobs back there. It's so discouraging :-( Congratulations on your new job! I hope I find something eventually.

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