New Grads that have Jobs: what do you advise for the rest of us

AlaBro2010 · Dec 23, 2012

Is your current position on your résumé or was at the time you interviewed?

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2012

It is. I guess that's how I g0t call for interviews, out of 50 places I applied to though, only 3 called me for interview. It's frustrating that you have all the documents in order, speak smartly and nicely at interview, get praises from the interviewers and then they forget about you. But yet, I know new grads do get hired as per what I hear from my classmates and from what I see on linkedin. Even if a new grads resume only has the required clinical rotations and no connections they get called for interview and hired without delay. I'm wondering what those new grads do to get such a positive response and not kept waiting for months being told "they are still interviewing other candidates".

AlaBro2010 · Dec 23, 2012

I would think maybe they think your going to leave them as easily as you are leaving your current position. Just playing devils advocate here. I know some hiring managers think like that and others don't. I made sure my employer knew my current position I had I made sure my employer knew would be temporary and they still were okay with hiring me (not a nursing position). Hope you have some better luck!

Anoetos, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2012

I got my job in the hospital where I work before I graduated. I was originally hired before I'd even been in a MedSurg lecture.

If a person can do this, I recommend it. Even if you don't get hired as an RN on the unit you work in as a student, you'll be on the inside, able to access and apply for all the internal positions. Additionally, you'll have plenty of references.

I realize that it's too late for you to do this, but it's good advice for anyone still in school.

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2012

Belle 1005, I understand your point that employers avoid "job hoppers' however I was at my previous non-RN job for almost 4 years adn this clinic RN job I been there 6 months. However as there is no chance to learn new skills beside basic clinic skills and serving as case manager, I feel like I need somewhere where I can put what we learned in nursing school to use. I dont want to remain an RN at a clinic doing case management for too long because then really no one will want me as I will not have a lot of skills.

AlaBro2010 · Dec 23, 2012

Belle 1005, I understand your point that employers avoid "job hoppers' however I was at my previous non-RN job for almost 4 years adn this clinic RN job I been there 6 months. However as there is no chance to learn new skills beside basic clinic skills and serving as case manager, I feel like I need somewhere where I can put what we learned in nursing school to use. I dont want to remain an RN at a clinic doing case management for too long because then really no one will want me as I will not have a lot of skills.

Believe me, *I* get that, I do. Some managers view that negatively though and it's not about job hopping, it's about "I'll take this until something else that's better comes along". I had a manager ask me why I didn't work during school. I was a single mom going to an accelerated program where I went to school 5-6 days a week, was in the honors program and I was lucky enough to have a scholarship I could just do school and watch my young daughter, I viewed my honors program as my job because it gave me the money I needed and I had extra requirements to do for it. She was like "so you didn't work AT ALL for those 11 months!?".. "No. But I was at my previous job a year and a half almost and before that two years". That wasn't good enough. Luckily, my boss now didn't care to pry into my past too personally or at least make me feel bad about not being perfect lol. I felt like I was always defending why I did this and didn't do this. Oh well! You sound like a great candidate, I hope you land something soon! I work at a clinic but luckily there's room for advancement I can be supervisor, director.. Many many years down the road (I like my position now). I'm sure you'll get something soon.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2012

I'm not a new grad anymore, but often, it's who you know that lands you the job. As a new grad, you will need to be very flexible, and may need to consider relocating for a job. There are hundreds of applicants for 1-2 positions, so employers can afford to be very picky. Keep applying, but know that you may need to stay at your current job longer than you intend. A paycheque is a paycheque. Eventually something will come up.

M/B-RN · Dec 23, 2012

Honestly it's really about who you know. I worked as a Float Nursing Assistant and only go hired to my unit because the manager of registry staff liked me since I always worked doubles and came to work on time and he highly recommended me to my now manager. She has known him for a long time and trusted his opinion.

Otherwise, it's really very rough. Sorry to tell you that. I do think you sound like a very good candidate, you are probably more qualified for my job than I am, LOL. I only have CPR/BLS and NRP. Just keep trying, something is bound to come up, especially with your great resume!

SNB1014, RN · Dec 23, 2012

your experience and certs sound incredible!

i just got hired for a progressive care unit with a sister facility to the hospital i worked at as a nurse tech/intern for the last year or so.

this may sound dumb, but are you using the connections you already have? maybe you could speak with a friend from your child life specialist days.....(if it was in a hospital). the place you volunteer at, after you volunteer that day, walk into HR!

i emailed the morning after i interviewed to the manager i met and the HR lady who helped me land the interview. thanking them telling them specifically that i want the job.

then, i sent a handwritten note via postal service thanking the same people but also to a lady i didn't get to meet with but i was scheduled to. to the hiring managers i wrote "I'd be happy to come back and meet with you again so you may better get to know me as a person and an applicant. I can be reached at blah blah #####. Have a wonderful holiday season! Warmly, Me"

i interviewed on a monday and got called back the following monday with an offer. how is your follow up? i would concentrate on your follow up and maximizing the connections you already have. would you be able to us the clinic doctor as a reference?

SNB1014, RN · Dec 23, 2012

As a new grad, you will need to be very flexible, and may need to consider relocating for a job. .

THIS.

i interviewed for one unit but i said if they thought i would be more suitable or there was a greater need in a different unit, to please consider me.

I also said (when they asked for a preference first) that i "preferred" days, but was flexible and had no qualms about nights.

Music in My Heart · Dec 23, 2012

I got my start by looking at a tiny micro-hospital (10 m/s beds which were rarely full, 4 ER beds, no ob, no ortho, no icu) way off the beaten track; they paid terribly, were very remote (~4 hrs from home), and had a high turnover rate... which were the precise reasons that they were always willing to hire new grads. For some reason, they never posted the positions. I cold-called the DON, faxed her my resume, and she tentatively hired me over the phone.

Two years later I added a per-diem job which was an incremental step up in addition to the original one.

Another year later and I finally landed a good job.

My biggest suggestion to you is to place yourself in a locale where reside a large portion of patients who are monolingual in that 'major' language to which you refer. Language skills are a huge asset in most hospitals.