Unemployed & inexperienced New RNs. Vent it out!

Nurses Job Hunt

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It's good to have an outlet you can spill your feelings about finding a job and struggling being unemployed.

Got my CA RN license in Jan2011 and trying to land a RN job anywhere. Passed hundreds of applications online which seems like sending to a blackhole (then I learned that most employers are only considering applicants that are referred and just ignore those who aren't). Applied to diff. RN Residencies in diff. states and the competition is really crazy (ex. only

I graduated last yr, I'm staling, I don't fit as a "new grad" anymore, very expensive RN refresher courses which doesn't guarantee an employment and I don't know where would I get money for that. I used to be this guy who's full of hopes, goal-oriented, productive & motivated, now I'm depressed, frustrated, stressed and broke.:smokin:

That's my story, what's yours?:)

OK I know your pain. I was there only last month. Are you willing or can relocate? If you can you can get a job this week. Rural hospitals are hiring new grads! But only in remote areas of the country so you might need to get off your comfort zone. I know a place in North Dakota that will hire you over the phone. The minute I started searching for these places I got a bunch of calls and replies. You just have to get yourself there...

So are you planing to move to there? And where are you now?

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OK I know your pain. I was there only last month. Are you willing or can relocate? If you can you can get a job this week. Rural hospitals are hiring new grads! But only in remote areas of the country so you might need to get off your comfort zone. I know a place in North Dakota that will hire you over the phone. The minute I started searching for these places I got a bunch of calls and replies. You just have to get yourself there...

By the way, if you do not find a place for yourself before you go, do not go. It is a huge problem for housing in ND.

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@marcos9999: Relocation is no problem. Tell me the name of the hospital/s and I will apply/complete a profile today. I am desperate to keep my nursing skills active.

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For the most part, my classmates have moved on to find jobs. I seem to be one of the few (if not the only one) that hasn't began using my license yet. I thought that it must be me. But after reading so many of your stories and nodding along, I realize that I'm not alone.

You are definitely not alone! This is exactly what I am going through. My classmates seem to have gotten jobs; some way slower than others, but they are still employed in an RN capacity. And here I am with no RN job, but not for lack of trying. Job hunting is a full-time job; I put in so many hours.

Perhaps the Powers That Be figured my butt should be in graduate school. That is what I truly believe. Now, I am awaiting the decisions from graduate school. :)

Stay positive! You will start your career!

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It is just so discouraging to see others accept positions and I haven'e even landed an interview! I feel like I am doing something wrong or maybe it's not meant to be and I should seek another career. So upset with the whole situation.

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You're not doing anything wrong, its a systematic process. I've been applying day in/day out too, networking, career fairs, going to HR, filling out applications, I picked up ACLS, PALS, I was an EMT (volunteer and paid for 3 years), tutored in at the college level, M.A. in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University, worked as a counselor in a psych ER AND managed the nurses station. I've gotten two interviews (that said no) after countless applications, I even got rejected from VOLUNTEERING at a hospital specifically because I was a new grad RN. The biggest thing people tell me is to be patient. I was talking with a nurse who worked in an ICU for 4 years, and it took her 3 months to find a job. The fact is its just brutal for new grads. As far as seeing peers get jobs, just remember the biggest word in hiring is "capricious" Who knows why some of these people get picked. There was a guy in my nursing program who I was convinced had a lobotomy, I mean this guy had no personality, no facial expressions, a voice like Ben Steins and a hospital I interviewed at hired him into their nurse residency program...Sooner or later the odds have to work in you favor.If it worked for lobotomy boy it will work for us!

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GFocker921

Thank you thank you thank you! I hear what you are saying...I drive by multiple hospitals and clinics each day and think to myself that there has to be just one little position in all of those places...well, one day there will be and in the meantime I will just keep applying! Thanks for keeping your chin up, your positivity is rubbing off!

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.
@marcos9999: Relocation is no problem. Tell me the name of the hospital/s and I will apply/complete a profile today. I am desperate to keep my nursing skills active.

Yes North Dakota has a housing problem so that might not be your best option. Here's my suggestion:

1. Connect to [email protected] which is an organization that recruit in undeserved areas, there you'll find a bunch of useful information

2. Search first in your state because anything is better then leaving your home state.

3. Wikipedia has a listing of all hospitals in the U.S. by state/county just search. Look for the smallest hospitals and in the most remote areas first and begin apply and call, you'll should get responses

Good luck

Yes you should do anything to get that "first year" experience I believe the road is smother after that.

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@marcos9999 : Have you even read what most of us have been saying on this thread? Who/what is 3rnet.org? It is just an email site as far as I can see, you need to tell us who we are sending our personal email addresses to and perhaps I will contact them. Do they have a website? I have already applied to hospitals in my own state as well as seven other states. I have friends or family I can live with until I find my own apartment. I also happen to have friends with family in North Dakota that I can possibly stay with. Sooooo what are the names of these hospitals in North Dakota that are hiring new grad nurses "right over the phone", we "just have to be able to get there"? Trinity-Minot had nothing for new grads, and also don't mention telephone interviews. Which hospitals in North Dakota are you referring to? I've also been applying to small rural hospitals. I've been applying to small rural nursing homes too. I prefer to work in long term care. As I said in my post, I live in farm country. Even in farm country the nursing homes want RN BSN's with at least 1 year of experience. I've applied to the lowest budget nursing homes and rehabs and was interviewed. The interviews went terrific, but... I not only had to call them back only to be told I was "not the candidate they selected", I saw the same job re-posted several times and contacted them each time to see if they would consider hiring me. This has happened several times. There are no Nursing Jobs for new grads. Only nursing schools seem to be claiming that there is a nursing shortage. Are you sure you don't work for one?

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

I sent you a private message with the information you requested

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery Postpartum NICU.

I have recently interviewed with a particular hospital in North Dakota and I'm curious if this one falls into the category of your alluded to hospitals, marcos9999. Not to be a nosey nose, but do you mind sending me some more specified information as well? My finance is set to start oil work in the area and it'd be nice for me to work in the same state.

Thank You!

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If u guys are really desperate and willing to relocate, laredo and eagle pass are usually hiring new grads. They are desperate in the valley area. Not a fun and exciting place to live though, if your young

New RN Grads | Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center

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