I was one of the lucky ADN graduates. I got a job two weeks after obtaining my RN license, on a medical surgical floor. My classmates struggled to find employment. For some it would be over a year before landing a job, even then, some were only employed in long term care despite wanting hospital positions.
I've been on med-surg for just about two years now. I've always wanted to work in critical care. I attempted to get a critical care position as a new grad and my attempts were laughable. Job fair after job fair, open houses, meeting managers, emailing, and even walking into HR's time after time. When I mentioned I wanted critical care, I was looked at as if I had 3 heads. All of my efforts to get even a med surg position were denied. I finally landed a hospital job after meeting a guy that was really well known at a local hospital. he submitted my resume FOR ME, and I literally had an interview within a week. My countless hours of job fairs and applications were worth nothing compared to a solid reference (no surprise).
I would say I did exceptionally well on med surg. Nurses who are my senior ask me for assistance at times. I manage time well, and i'm good at skills iv insertion etc...
I've decided I would make another attempt at getting a critical care position. My first try would be at my own facility's ICU. I've approached HR several times and I've been told that they are currently don't need any ICU nurses. I've applied at other facilities with no luck. It seems as if all the ICU's are looking for someone with critical care experience...
I'm Just frustrated, it very hard to get a "desirable" position nowadays. For most it seems they applied at an extremely lucky time or had "connections"
