How long did it take you to find your first job as a new grad

Nurses Job Hunt

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I'm a new grad with a bsn. I have good grades, good references, I passed my registeration exam on my first try, willing to move anywhere and do any job (other than mental health) but can't seem to find work. I had an interview at my local hospital and didn't get it, and I got invited to an interview at another hospital for a mental health Job which I turned down. I knew it was hard getting a job, and to be fair it hasn't been that long since I graduated. But it seems like everyone I went to school with has a job but me. I've sent my cv out anywhere and everywhere but just keep getting emails back saying they aren't hiring.

So how long did it take you? What did you do to get it?

I could be wrong, but I think it also depends on where you live. I live in NYC and went to school here. I have friends that moved out of state and got jobs fairly quickly. I was applying even before I graduated in May, and after i passed my boards the end of july, i was applying to 30+ jobs a day every day. I started working per diem at a skilled nursing facility in the mean time just to get some experience and make some money. Interviews started coming in around November, and I just got hired in December. I think NYC happens to very competitive unless you know someone. The people in my class that got jobs right away were people that worked as a CNA or volunteered at the hospital beforehand, or their parents/family friend etc. worked there and got their resume in front of a nurse manager. I applied online and got my job about 6-7 months after graduating. I also have good grades, good references, and ACLS/PALS certified. Unfortunately i've found through this whole process it's all about who you know, even though we work so hard to make our resumes amazing, it's more about who you know :(

It absolutely is who you know ... which I don't agree with. I had a classmate who's mom was head of HR at a local hospital and got her and two other classmates of mine jobs. Good for them, I just couldn't do it. My bf said reach out and see if they can get you a job, you have applied there so many times and I just couldn't do it. I don't know if it was stubbornness or pride .. I just felt like I deserved it myself without help. It's interesting to see on here different parts of the US and the job market. Seems like there are a lot of new grad programs down south and in California and it's barebones in the northeast where I am from. Good luck to you, I know how hard it is !

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I don't mean this to be catty, but 1972, graduated11am and was charge nurse in CCU, of same hospital based diploma school...3-11 shift....(granted I had spent 9 weeks on same unit as charge nurse experience......). I don't think I even applied for that position, the nurse mgr. as me....

That is decades ago, where there was more clinical components in nursing education.....

If I was a nursing student today, I would really apply my clinical experience available.....

Today as. Nurse mgr., I look for the stellar students, and heavy recruitment of same after their graduation & nclex

What is considered a stellar student?

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It took me about 6 months after I passed the NCLEX a second time. It was hard because no one was calling for interviews. It was even hard when a posting stated that they required a certain amount of experience. How can you get experience when no one will hire you. With the help of a few friends I was able to find a job as a RN in a nursing home. I dont like nursing homes but I took it anyway until I can find something better. Plus it pays the bills. My advice is too take any job you can get while still looking for a position that you like. This way you are building your experience and your not jobless.

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It took me 18 months and I had to go out of state to get one. I got interviews here and there and sent hundreds of resumes. I used to think I was on some kind of blacklist or something. :sniff:

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I went to nursing school in San Diego, which is *completely* saturated with new grads. I did apply to a couple new grad positions in SD but I also didn't want to wait until their hiring season--nearly 4 months after I graduated! I looked into small town ERs and applied to a few of those and a week after I graduated got an interview/offer at a small ER. It was hard--understaffed, in the middle of meth alley, but I learned a lot. I left after nearly a year and had my pick of any ER position I applied to.

Look for small, understaffed hospitals. If you're smart and quick, it'll happen.

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I applied for a "Valor Student" position while in Nursing school at the VA. They hired me for that and was assigned as a GN the day I graduated & have been there ever since.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

In today's market, which is more competitive in some regions than others, the winning applicant needs to show a level of savvy when applying and interviewing. Even more so for the new grad without experience.

You must target your resume and cover letter to each organization; generic applications do not help you to stand out among the hundreds of other applicants with the exact same qualifications. You can expect tough behavioral and situational interview questions, and without prepping, you can be at a disadvantage. For example, do you know how to answer "What's your greatest weakness?"...and what never to say.

As a hiring nurse manager seeing tons of nurses without job searching skills, I wrote the book "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job....and your next!" It's full of insider tips and strategies on how to apply, get noticed, and get hired.

I hope you'll check it out. Best wishes!

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I got my first job offer 2 and a half months after passing NCLEX in May 2017, which I ultimately turned down. I waited another 2 and a half months to finally settle on a job that I really like. So about 5 months in total.

It was pretty tough finding a job as a new graduate even here in Nevada with literally no work experience (not even in retail nor any CNA jobs) and no connections whatsoever. I've sent out more or less 30 applications. Although I still consider myself lucky to have landed 4 interviews in total of which 3/4 gave me a job offer.

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Specializes in ambulant care.

Don´t wait ´til someone carries your first job to

your lasy chair. And don`t be picky as a new grad.

- Hospital, - nursing home, - ambulant nursing,

- home care, - veterans administration, - ......

Be creative !!!

Later on you have the time and the experience

to find your dreamjob.

I took the phonebook a few months before

grading and called just everyone.

(It´s not so expensiv as sending applications.

"Application if interest")

So I´ve had a signed contract in my pocket

while grading.

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In today's market, which is more competitive in some regions than others, the winning applicant needs to show a level of savvy when applying and interviewing. Even more so for the new grad without experience.

You must target your resume and cover letter to each organization; generic applications do not help you to stand out among the hundreds of other applicants with the exact same qualifications. You can expect tough behavioral and situational interview questions, and without prepping, you can be at a disadvantage. For example, do you know how to answer "What's your greatest weakness?"...and what never to say.

As a hiring nurse manager seeing tons of nurses without job searching skills, I wrote the book "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job....and your next!" It's full of insider tips and strategies on how to apply, get noticed, and get hired.

I hope you'll check it out. Best wishes!

Great advice, I'll have to check out your book ! I just have a couple of questions regarding what you said.

1.) Do you believe prior healthcare experience before getting your nursing degree helps ? For example as a nursing assistant ?

2.) When giving an answer for a weakness in an interview, are you suppose to turn it into a positive ?

I have been told different things and would like clarification.

Thank you so much, I appreciate any feedback ! Happy new year !

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So long that I decided to have a baby (about 12-15 months) but eventually it came together. After I graduated I worked as a flu shot nurse and then after I had my son I took a job at a LTC facility to get some kind of acute care experience.

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I'm so glad I came across your post! I am starting my RN program next month, and I'm going to order your book so I can begin employing some strategies to make myself more competitive while I'm in school.

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