Ranting on the New Grads

Nurses Job Hunt

Published

Specializes in Neuro ICU/Trauma/Emergency.

So many new grads post on this forum, "wooo me it's been two months since I've graduated and I still can't find a job".

While I sympathize with the graduates, no one wants to be faced with the fear of long term unemployment after acquiring so much nursing school debt.

But, I would advise all of you: take a good look at your resumes, grammar, objectives, goals, values...etc. What does your email address say about you? Are you using blue colonial font on your resume?

Jobs, regardless of the experience, do not appear within 1 month of searching. Be patient & proactive. As long as you're having fun at the pity party, you won't see the rewards at the triumph party.

I believe nursing school needs to require a business course for new grads. Everyone, including myself, can benefit from courses on how to make him/herself more marketable. Thankfully, youtube has tons of business courses & leaders who are willing to share advice.

In the mean time, look at mock interviews, reheorifice patient scenarios etc.

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Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

Agreed. Welcome to our economy. This is what it is going to be until some of this ACA stuff is sorted out.

Hospitals are hard pressed to invest right now.

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Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

In addition, new grad nurses if you get offered a job take it!! I keep reading posts about the perfect job not being offered...it is too far from home, the wrong shift or whatever. You must work a job and get experience and then you can negotiate.

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I agree woth the previous posters...and I also have said to some new grads not to forget about linked in. Set up a profile get the connections and network network network......gud luck to all.

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Specializes in Intermediate Med/Surg.

I'm a brand new grad and was lucky enough to get a job offer within a month of graduating. It's not my "dream" job, BUT it's a JOB, and I've realized that the job I have will prepare me for my "dream" (if I still even want to work my dream job).

Some of my classmates/graduating class on the other hand... They appear to have forgotten that there are bills to be paid, and our location is saturated with new grads and turning down the job offer that isn't the dream job will probably land them searching for jobs for months on end because experienced nurses are preferred.

I do agree that nursing programs should add a business course, or at least emphasize on the importance of a good resume and interview attire. So many new grads seem to think the "RN" at the end of their name guarantees them a job.

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At my school before we graduated we had to come dressed in business attire and to mock interviews. We also had to bring our resumes that we did in out first week of school. They were also critiqued. It was really good.

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Specializes in GI,Telemetry, Trauma ICU, Endoscopy.

All great suggestions. My suggestion is follow up. Apply online, talk to the recruiter, speak with the manager....kiss hands and shake babies....*COUGH*......I mean kiss babies and shake hands. Let them know you are interested, and let them know several times if you have to. If you get an interview, thank them and then send a thank you card or email.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I agree woth the previous posters...and I also have said to some new grads not to forget about linked in. Set up a profile get the connections and network network network......gud luck to all.

This.

LinkedIn is a great way to network.

Also network through local nursing chapters, as well as nursing career fairs.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

I have many years experience, lost my job d/t office politics, and had to take my "less than" dream job on as shift I didn't want so I could pay my bills. Hopefully, something good will come for me soon. Or at least something decent on days. Before I lose my sanity. Anyway, my point is right now, it's not perfect for anyone in the job market. Hang in there! I agree with pp who said until this ACA mess gets straightened out, things are going to be strange.

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So many new grads post on this forum, "wooo me it's been two months since I've graduated and I still can't find a job".

While I sympathize with the graduates, no one wants to be faced with the fear of long term unemployment after acquiring so much nursing school debt.

But, I would advise all of you: take a good look at your resumes, grammar, objectives, goals, values...etc. What does your email address say about you? Are you using blue colonial font on your resume?

Jobs, regardless of the experience, do not appear within 1 month of searching. Be patient & proactive. As long as you're having fun at the pity party, you won't see the rewards at the triumph party.

I believe nursing school needs to require a business course for new grads. Everyone, including myself, can benefit from courses on how to make him/herself more marketable. Thankfully, youtube has tons of business courses & leaders who are willing to share advice.

In the mean time, look at mock interviews, reheorifice patient scenarios etc.

our school had (as last semester students) a Leadership course - part of which was resume writing, interviewing in the local hospital for New Grad programs, and those of us that chose to pretty much had offers by March to start in June

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

I review stacks of résumés for our open positions (which all require experience, which is clearly stated on every posting, but tons of new grads apply anyway) and the low quality of writing, grammar & punctuation ASTONISHES me. I see it from new grads and experienced nurses. We toss about half that we receive. It's that bad.

People!

1. SPELLCHECK!

2. Know the basics that spellcheck won't catch. "They're" vs. "their." No apostrophes on plurals. Yes, we do toss résumés with these kinds of grammatical mistakes. It reflects poor attention to detail.

3. Watch your use of acronyms. Not everyone reading your résumé is going to automatically know that "HCMC" means Hennepin County Medical Center, especially if that was in another state.

4. Please keep your cover letter short and concise, and LEAVE OUT details of your personal life. We don't want to know about how your grandma's cancer inspired you to save the world. We want to know what you have to offer our patients and the team.

Interviews:

1. Learn how to use an iron. Just owning the interview suit is isn't enough. You have to iron it and wear it properly.

2. No perfume.

3. Be ready to say where you want to be in 5 years. And why you think you should have the job. And exactly when you can start.

4. Again, leave out your personal life. Maybe the public nature of social media makes people think it's okay to overshare info about health, family and finances. But man, we get a lot of nervous Nellies who tell long tales about their kids, their health problems, their divorces, their money and their religion. SO. NOT. APPROPRIATE.

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As a new grad, I think the "where do you want to be in five years" question is absolutely ridiculous. I mean, should I lie and tell you what I actually want--a family and more education. Or should I tell you what I think you want to hear--I want to still be working here!

So much can happen in five years, especially five years after graduating when you are typically young and your entire life is in a state of transition.

And frankly maybe my goals are my goals and not your business. A job is a job and as long as I want to be here NOW and for the foreseeable future then I think that's enough.

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