New Nurse For Hire!

[_nursemarjorie, BSN, RN]

Hello Allnurses!

I graduated in May 2013 and unfortunately didn't pass my boards on the first go-around. As you can imagine, it was a stressful time. If anyone has gone through this, you know what I mean. The moment I found out that I failed, I immediately began to doubt myself and whether I made the right decision to become a nurse. Was I even fit to be a nurse? Was it all for nothing? Everyone I knew passed! Many questions arose, but I pressed on and continued to study and give it my all. I knew that it wasn't for nothing, it couldn't have been! Its my calling, HELLO!? I LOVE NURSING! We all go through things like this at one point in our nursing lives, whether it's NCLEX, HESI, ect. So if you're going through this right now, it's OK! It's not the end of the world! YOU CAN DO IT!

I passed the second time, by God's grace and with an intense study schedule. I am now on the hunt for a job as a Registered Nurse! YAY! ..or NAY. I have been applying to jobs in the Houston area for the past few weeks but have been getting many rejection emails. I've even started to look for positions in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. I'm not sure what to do or what I am doing wrong. Do y'all have any tips? Any advice?

I thought the struggle was over after the NCLEX but it isn't! I also thought nurses were "in demand". How can we gain experience if no one gives us a chance? It can get very discouraging as a new nurse with no experience to get rejected so many times. I can use any advice or words of encouragement y'all have to offer.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Apply over and over again. Look at smaller and larger hospitals. Have other people look over your resume and try to network with people who graduated and have jobs.

[_nursemarjorie, BSN, RN]

Thanks for your tips! Do you suggest that I apply for the same positions/hospitals over and over again? I'm just worried that if HR keeps seeing me apply to various positions, it'll look like I don't know what I want. How long after passing boards did you land your first job as a nurse?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

It's not you, it's your location and a depressed economy. If you're able to relocate do so. Try applying to smaller cities and small towns if nothing pans out over the next couple of months. Use any contacts that you may have to network. Eventually, you will find work but unless you can relocate 6- 10 months is the average wait in a major city centre.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

LOL - the Houston economy is not depressed. Acute care services, including new facilities, are continuously expanding to meet the needs of the growing population. Unfortunately for the OP, everyone is competing for experienced nurses at the same time that they have increased restrictions on hiring new grads. The major systems have limited new grad hires to BSNs & only via their formal transition programs which are only scheduled twice a year at best.

I would encourage OP to focus on the independent facilities in outlying areas & be sure to include non-acute settings as well. This may mean looking into the ex-urbs (farther out than suburbs) such as Conroe, Baytown, Pearland, etc. Best of luck to you!!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

That's exactly what I'm referring to though. In terms of new grads, the economy is depressed, and on a global scale. Sure, experienced nurses will always be in demand, particularly if they have a specialty, but that's everywhere.

[_nursemarjorie, BSN, RN]

LOL - the Houston economy is not depressed. Acute care services including new facilities, are continuously expanding to meet the needs of the growing population. Unfortunately for the OP, everyone is competing for experienced nurses at the same time that they have increased restrictions on hiring new grads. The major systems have limited new grad hires to BSNs & only via their formal transition programs which are only scheduled twice a year at best. I would encourage OP to focus on the independent facilities in outlying areas & be sure to include non-acute settings as well. This may mean looking into the ex-urbs (farther out than suburbs) such as Conroe, Baytown, Pearland, etc. Best of luck to you!![/quote']

thank you for your suggestions!