New RN, graduated 2 years ago.

[j.katerina]

As my title states, I am a newly licensed RN (end of last year) but I graduated with my BSN two years ago. I acknowledge the fact that I will have an extra hard time getting hired as I am no longer considered a new grad and will not qualify for the new grad programs or residency programs. I have no experience. I had my CNA license six years ago but I never worked as one and it is now expired. I also volunteered at the local hospital for a few months, but this was before I started nursing school.

What advice/suggestions do any of you have for someone in my position? I would like to start at a hospital and get some experience on a med/surg unit, but I have seen many openings require experienced RNs. Should I take classes and get certified (ACLS, PALS, etc.)? Take any job that is willing to hire me? Volunteer? What can I do to better my chances of getting hired?

Any and all help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I just feel overwhelmed and lost and I have no idea where I should begin. Thank you.

[electricblack]

Just an update I got a job a month ago and it is at a hospital and is under ONA =) full time. I guess I just needed to be patient. For Ontario/Canadian nurses who graduated years ago and just got their license and lost the opportunity to use their HFO 'professional opportunity' Grant, I've been hearing that your employer can send a request to HFO for the funding if they plan to hire you and they are going to be your first employer.

I did not confirm that yet aside from another RN who has been under HFO after acquiring her licence a year after. (HFO Grants usually expire 6months after you graduate). I called them and emailed them many times to renew the offer somehow because I never got to use it since I didn't graduated on April 2011 and got my license November 2012--all they declined. So if you are in this position: can't find a job due to lack of experience for being a new grad but think HFO grant would help... Try this out. Good luck.