New Grad, New Low

Nurses Job Hunt

Published

Just to give everyone a little sense of how bad the job market is for new grads, I have some humerus news (get it?). I graduated in May, passed NCLEX in June, and have been looking for a job since, had a couple interviews, nada. So I decided to try and volunteer at a hospital with the hopes that I could get to know the staff and help my chances. I get an email this morning REJECTING ME FROM VOLUNTEERING BECAUSE I'M A NEW GRAD NURSE!!!!!! HA!!!!!

Focker

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

That's just...wow. Unbelievable. Rejecting a warm body from volunteering?

The only two things I can think of that would make them do that is a liability issue (they don't want to risk having you do nursing things when you're not specifically hired as a nurse), and/or they had a very bad experience with a prior new grad volunteer and don't want to risk a repeat. Perhaps they had new grad volunteers in the past that were more interested in trying to score jobs than in helping out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Or they are just plain inundated with volunteers and have to start weeding out somewhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

Yes I'm no stranger to these news. In order for me to get a volunteering job at a county hospital in Oakland CA I had to wait 6 months in probation then after two interviews I was finally let volunteer in the ER. Worked there for 8 months and still didn't get a job when it was posted, there were 1044 applicants for 4 positions and unfortunately I am not perfect.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's definitely tough out there for new grads. I know in my area, most hospitals will only hire new RNs if they have BSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Near Future: ED, Future Future: ACNP!.
That's just...wow. Unbelievable. Rejecting a warm body from volunteering?The only two things I can think of that would make them do that is a liability issue (they don't want to risk having you do nursing things when you're not specifically hired as a nurse), and/or they had a very bad experience with a prior new grad volunteer and don't want to risk a repeat. Perhaps they had new grad volunteers in the past that were more interested in trying to score jobs than in helping out.
A local hospital wouldn't let me volunteer as a student when I was in school because they thought I wouldn't have enough time. Go figure.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, Med-Surg.

Now that's just Big Ridic.

FYI: I volunteered at a hospice while waiting for an acute care position to open up. They later encouraged me to apply. Maybe you could look into that? I enjoyed it.

Good luck, don't let it get you down!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment