HELP!!! Where can I find a Job as a new grad in Norfolk/Hampton Roads area??

U.S.A. Virginia

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Hi everyone,

I just graduated from nursing school with my BSN Friday, and am planning on taking my NCLEX in mid-May. I am relocating to Hampton Roads because of my husband's work. I have started applying, but am having a hard time finding a job, as I'm sure alot of new grads are.

Does anyone have any advice for applying to hospitals?? I am optimistic, but also like to be prepared. If i don't find anything at a hospital, where would you recommend me applying, that hires new grads of course, to continue gaining experience... ??

Thanks in advance for anyone's advice!!

:nurse:

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I speak Spanish and English as well! Not sure if that is a plus or not??

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Well...being bilingual definitely can't hurt you :)

The job market is tight for new grads in HR for two reasons:

1. There's several nursing schools in the area that are graduating students in May...and who just graduated some in March...and in January...and who will also be graduating more in August...

2. The two major hospital chains (Sentara and Bon Secours) run their own nursing schools, so when it comes to new grad openings in those two chains, guess which new grads get priority for these spots.

Also, a lot of places won't even look at you until you've passed your NCLEX.

That being said, it's not impossible to get a new grad job...it's just really hard. So start applying now. Stay on top of the websites, and call the recruiters frequently. The hospitals tend to have job fairs from time to time--you'll find the info in the local paper. Go to as many of those as you can, because there you can usually interview with unit managers.

If you have no luck with the hospitals, there's always skilled nursing/rehab, dialysis, psych, and plenty of LTCs. Some hire more new grads than others, but you have nothing to lose by applying, right?

Good luck!

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You can look at CHKD (it's a children's hospital). For certain units there you must have a BSN and externship or senior preceptorship in pediatrics.

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Ok great! I would love to be at a Pediatric hospital. I did my senior preceptorship at Memorial Hermann Children's in the Texas Medical Center. I love pediatrics! Do you know if there is a a certain way of applying to the GN program at CHKD or if there are deadlines? I haven't been able to find that out on their website... and unfortunately have not been able to get a hold of the nurse recruiter there :confused:

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

For CHKD, just fill out the online application. Include a copy of your resume. Be sure that your preceptorship at a children's hospital is featured prominantly. They prefer new grads with that type of experience and/or similar things. Keep trying to reach the recruiter via phone and e-mail, emphasizing the preceptorship in the messages you leave her.

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Ok thanks for the advice! I know there are no such thing as stupid questions... but this may be one! On the CHKD website in order to apply don't you have to be applying to a specific position or is there a way to just submit an application? I know that from what I have seen... all the nursing positions require experience, and I am afraid that if I submit an app to one of those it will just be thrown away!

Just wondering if I have missed another spot to apply?!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Don't know the website well enough to answer the question. But if you can't find a job advertised as a "new grad" position, apply to whatever is there. Also send a paper letter and resume to the Recruiter ... as well as an e-mail with your resume attached ... as well as a phone call.

In other words, don't wait for the "perfect" position to be posted. Take the initiated and make contact any way you can.

Give it a week or so. If you can't make contact with the Recruiter, go directly to the managers of the units that interest you most.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Ok thanks for the advice! I know there are no such thing as stupid questions... but this may be one! On the CHKD website in order to apply don't you have to be applying to a specific position or is there a way to just submit an application? I know that from what I have seen... all the nursing positions require experience, and I am afraid that if I submit an app to one of those it will just be thrown away!

Just wondering if I have missed another spot to apply?!

You have to apply for a specific position...that'll get your resume in the system. Follow it up with a few e-mails and phone calls so you can bring your skill set to their attention.

You could try e-mailing your resume directly to their recruiter as well, though I don't know if they'd prefer that--they may want all applicants to go through the job postings. Still, couldn't hurt to ask them!

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Thanks for all the advice everyone!! It was all very helpful :)

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Are you interested in any particular areas of pediatric/neonatal practice? e.g. NICU, general peds med/surg, peds ED, peds rehab, etc.

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Peds ED or General Peds. Why do you ask?

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