New Grad Nurse Can't Find Job

Rabid · Mar 16, 2013

Be glad you even got an interview. I have applied to the hospitals for 9 months and have yet to even get an interview. I ended up doing a 2 month stint at a very very unsafe skilled nursing facility, and have now settled on home health job for now. I want to say keep your head up as that is what everyone else tells me. The best suggestion I could suggest would be to network... Seems the only way you can get a place to try out a new grad.

AFwife727, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2013

Rabid, thanks for your comment. I got a call yesterday and was turned down by the hospital so that's out of the question. I've come to the conclusion that once they realize I'm hearing impaired and can't speak on the phone, they refuse to hire me. They give me interviews because they probably want to keep up the appearance that they're not discriminating, but then they don't hire me and give no reason (it's illegal to not hire someone based on disability).

Do you like home health? Do you feel that you were trained enough, as a new grad? My parents' next door neighbor is an executive of a home health company... I was considering turning to her to see if she could get my foot in the door at least. After all, she did tell my parents to send me over once I finished nursing school. But what I'm most nervous about is being out of nursing for almost a year and not being trained enough to work on my own, as is what home health entails. There's also the hearing impairment issue. I do have a digital stethoscope but I still need practice with it, and what if there is an emergency? The fact that hospitals have safety in numbers is comforting to me. But no one seems to want to hire me. I should also mention that I worked as a nurse tech for a year while I was in nursing school. They really doubted me during the interview but the supervisor went out on a limb and hired me - on the spot! I went on to be successful in that job and they provided me with some accommodations (ie. a pager). At this point I'm aching to get my foot in the door but at the same time I'm worried that it might be more than I can handle, as a new grad and a hearing impaired nurse. If I can't find a job as a nurse, I'll probably have to give up on nursing altogether. Then I don't know what I'll do.

Rabid · Mar 16, 2013

AFWife, that is some hard licks. Most places i like to think will train you how they like to have things done. The few of my friends that had a connections into the hospitals got 6-8 weeks of training. For the home health job i got 30 minutes of training, and have gotten yelled at alot as I slowly figured it out. Charting is the hard part to get down. On a brighter note Home health is a slower environment. You can go as fast or as slow as you want so there isn't as much pressure. Patients are generally in better shape as well, but if there are problems you have to call the Dr. or on call Nurse Practitioner. I mostly do Wound care, medication/pillbox setup and education, diabetes education and care and foley care. No IV's, which makes me sad as I would like to keep in with that, and nothing more advanced, but that is the direction the company I work for goes. It took me 6 months to start really being proficient and it has been rewarding. Only reason I got the home health job is a friend hooked me up with interview. My advice would be to try outside of the hospital and look into other options. I know they breed us in school that if you aren't in the hospital you aren't really nursing but honestly its not that bad. You can always keep trying for hospital to, but at least you are doing something nursing related. Keep your head up, many of us know the frustration. You will find something.

SoCalGalRN · Apr 1, 2013

Finding a job as a new grad RN in California is damn near impossible. I searched hard for 7 months after getting my license. I sent out at least 150 applications. I didn't get one interview, not even at the hospital where I was volunteering. I knew that someone would want me if they would just meet me but I had a crappy resume and no paid nursing experience. I got a home health job three weeks before I was interviewed and hired for an acute care hospital. I got a verbal job offer immediately before an appointment at a patient's home, saw the patient, drove to the office and quit. A lot of my classmates worked home health for a few months before getting acute care jobs. There might be one or two who stayed but I think everyone left. It's really scary to be all alone as a new grad who is constantly questioning your own judgment. I think new grads need the support of coworkers and especially a good charge nurse.

Lore2984 · Apr 16, 2013

I know how you feel, it is being depressing for me too. I graduated in 2010 with an ASN and got my license the same year but because some family reasons I started to apply for jobs last year. I have applied everywhere and I haven't even received a phone call. I do not know what to do. I am registering back to school to get my BSN but I also want to work as an RN.

I live in CT and most of the applications are done online, and there is no chance to talk to a person to at least make a good impression, so what to do??? i have called the facilities where I have applied and they all have said the same, "once someone reviews your resume and if you qualify for the position you will receive a phone call" Then what to do next?? I know that I have to be applying everywhere, and I have being doing that, with no response.

I really hope something comes up soon, for you as I hope the same for me.

Shelly_ · Sep 25, 2013

I am a new graduate that has been seeking employment for five weeks now, and the only tip that I have for you is to go to the college that you graduated from - or the one you are currently attending; or both - and find out when they are having job fairs. This will give you an opportunity to meet someone face-to-face, since that is basically non-existent these days!

If you are still in nursing school, I cannot stress enough how important it is to really network with the nurses where ever your clinical is at. Let the charge nurse know you want to work there, and ask her for advice.

Good luck out there!

Josie, RN/LCSW · Oct 11, 2013

Start doing some more course work - Pathophysiology, Statistics, Nutrition, or even some Nursing refresher courses. If you've been out of the loop for awhile, this always looks good on paper. Prospective employers like to see that an applicant is still in the thick of things, as well as keeping their knowledge up to date. Also, work very hard and try to get A's in the coursework - that's impressive, too.

Sippie · Oct 14, 2013

I would try and do some certifications. Certifications are a way to show you go above and beyond the basic training and are staying current. You can also earn CEUs for some.

You can do Stoke Certification through the National Institute of Health online. Just go to their website. Professional Education Center I think it was only $10 when I took it.

ACLS is another good one although it does cost more.

You might check some of the hospital websites and see if there are any education courses. You could also call the nursing educator/dept and see if they would let you take a course for a fee. Usually it is the bigger hospitals that have them.

Some hospitals offer them for employees free but will charge for the general public (nurses that aren't employees). A friend of mine did an EKG course that way. She also did a pacemaker course.

Another tactic is try to volunteer. Okay I know its time consuming but it can help you get your foot into the door. Make friends with the nurse managers and swallow your pride and tell everyone yes I am already and RN and I am looking for a job and really want to work here! lol

Volunteering can be 4 hrs a week in the ER or where ever... pretty minimal. You could still do this in a hopital even if you were working at a nursing home or home care etc and wanted to just get your foot in the door at a acute care hospital.

Once you have volunteered for awhile, go introduce yourself to HR in people wearing your volunteer uniform. Ask them if they have any entry level RN positons available. Tell them you are already an RN and have a BSN, already passed your boards, etc etc. You love the place where you are volunteering already know the policies and want to work there. Keep checking in with them - in person.

AFwife727, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2013

Thank you for your suggestions! Since I am pregnant, I've put my job search on hold until after I have the baby in January. I've been trying to get ahold of the volunteer services dept at a local hospital; hopefully I can start doing something like that soon in order to network. I tried reaching out to flu clinics/services but nothing. I'll look into taking some extra courses to beef up my resume. I am really worried that I'll have been out of school for too long (it will be 2 yrs since graduation as of May '14) and will be "un-hireable".

Guests · Oct 22, 2013

If you are still in nursing school, I cannot stress enough how important it is to really network with the nurses where ever your clinical is at. Let the charge nurse know you want to work there, and ask her for advice.

Sound advice but don't be surprised if the charge blows you off... they see students all the time and most of the students are trying to do the same thing that you are suggesting.

The key part of the word 'network' is 'work'... that is, while at clinicals, work your tail off. You're not going to dazzle anybody with your nursing skill but a strong work ethic is still highly valued... but can only be shown.

AFwife727, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2013

Thanks for the insight... I agree. However I'm no longer in nursing school. I have my RN now and have had it for 1 year, just cannot find a job. My hearing impairment plays a big role in it, unfortunately. No one wants to hire someone with a disability these days. Unless you know someone and get your foot in the door that way.