Philadelphia Area "New" RN: 30 applications rejected : When will my dream come true?

head3rd · Sep 10, 2010

You might want to think about relocating, The hospital system I work for hires new Grad's or any RN with less than 1 year experience into a residency program called Versant. They have a website versant.org, if you go to clients it shows cities that have these programs. You can also type GN residency programs in google and it will you show tons of hospitals that specifically hire new nurses. Here in texas we hired 105 GN's in June and are hiring 80 more in October.

Good Luck

dmy222 · Sep 10, 2010

I just have to say, be proud and happy you are an RN

I can't get into the programs at all.

I have credits, so most programs rather take people with none and make more money...every school is a business...

a job will come...

anyone else concerned about the amount of people ENTERING the field and in school?

a hospital in Montclair NJ laid off RN's and so did Lancaster General...

O'SheaRN · Sep 10, 2010

Have you considered jobs outside of the hospital setting. Maybe you should try LTC, prisons, doctor's offices, etc. The pay might be lower than a hospital but, it's a start. In the meantime look into flu shot clinics and agencies. Good luck

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2010

Hi everyone :redbeathe

30 applications now, and each one denied.
2 of them, were actually for an entry level.. so once they were declined, i actually shed tears.

::sigh:: well im just here to vent. I am so exhausted with applications, i'm starting to feel I might as well give up for a few months.

how are things for you new jersey grads? My paper work for obtaining my licenser in NJ is nearly complete. however, i wonder if its worth the $200.00 and other fees? :redbeathe:crying2::redbeathe

I'm already above 50 applications. Keep trucking. It's exhausting. If you can relocate, it seems like classmates who are graduating with jobs are the ones who looked outside Philly for the most part.

AtomicWoman · Sep 19, 2010

Trust me, 30 applications may seem like a lot, but it's really not. Just keep plugging and plugging and networking. Call or email your old professors and ask them to keep you in mind if they hear of anything (2 of my job offers came because a professor knew someone). Read craigslist's job listings. There are often interesting positions posted in the medical category. Think about doing home care, even if only a few days a week. Keep in touch with your classmates who have jobs and ask them for contact information for nurse managers and nurse recruiters. Remember to write a personalized cover letter with each application. It's hard work, I know, and most hospitals could not have cared if I wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb". But one employer actually called me *because* of my cover letter. So you never know.

I talked to a recruiter at a huge hospital system in Philly and she said she tells new grads to take *any* RN job they can get: part-time, per diem, in a doctor's office, whatever. She said any job experience in the field will help you get a job where you want to work.

Good luck! Don't give up!

AtomicWoman · Sep 19, 2010

P.S. It's pretty much the same thing here in NJ, unfortunately.

VRN-RN · Sep 20, 2010

maybe all new grad should apply to a Compact License state near their home state. This way if and when you get licensed in that compact state, your license will carry to other states who are part of compact licenses. here is the link Map of NLC States

look into this. dont know if its going to work the way i am thinking it will work.. but read up on it

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2010

maybe all new grad should apply to a Compact License state near their home state. This way if and when you get licensed in that compact state, your license will carry to other states who are part of compact licenses. here is the link Map of NLC States
look into this. dont know if its going to work the way i am thinking it will work.. but read up on it

I didn't realize Delaware is a compact state- I remember looking in to compact states when we were considering relocating, but we opted to stay put. I'm also going to look in to getting endorsed in New Jersey too. Although I'm wondering if getting ACLS certified would be a better use of the money.

shockable_rhythm · Sep 24, 2010

I think it's annoying that PA doesn't participate in the compact license agreement:uhoh3: but getting licensed in a compact state is not a bad idea.

SirJohnny · Sep 29, 2010

All:

- With respect to getting a compact license ...

- You must be a resident of the compact member state in order to use that compact license in another state. For example, if a Pennsylvania (a non-compact state) resident gets a Delaware (compact state) license and wants to work in Rhode Island (another compact state), that Pennsylvania resident must still endorse their Pennsylvania license to Rhode Island, because they are not a resident of a compact state.

- In other words, if you are a Pennsylvania resident, getting a compact state license does not benifit you with respect to licensing in other compact states. Instead, you must go through the usual licensure by endorsement process.

- Someday, I hope, Pennsylvania will join the compact licensure program.

Hope this helps,

SirJohnny

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2010

- In other words, if you are a Pennsylvania resident, getting a compact state license does not benifit you with respect to licensing in other compact states. Instead, you must go through the usual licensure by endorsement process.
Hope this helps,
SirJohnny

Awww, really? That sucks. I don't understand why this has to be so complicated when the exam we take is national.

Thanks for clarifying tho.

SirJohnny · Oct 5, 2010

Yeah ... it stinks.

I was licensed in Rhode Island (but am a Pennsylvania resident) and thought when Rhode Island went compact two years ago that I would automatically be included in the compact license process. Unfortunately, I received a letter from the Rhode Island BON stating that the compact license process was available only to Rhode Island RESIDENTS, and that my Rhode Island license would not allow me to participate in the compact license program since I was a Pennsylvania Resident.

Total b.s. ... such is the world of nursing.