ADN grads in socal where are you finding jobs?

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So I know I'm not the only one who is scared to graduate this May because the prospects for ADN new grads in Southern California (LA and OC areas) is so dismal. Every new grad program I see it says BSN preferred or BSN required and with so many new grads with BSN's where does that leave us ADN's? I will be starting my BSN program in this Fall 2013, I'm just praying that I get a job before then so I don't have to take out any more student loans.

ADN graduates have you found jobs? And if so where? I've started to apply EVERYWHERE!! Including Podunk USA...but its just frustrating because they make you sign 2-2.5 year contracts in these undesirable places, if I was 24 it wouldn't be a big deal, but I'm 34...advice?

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Specializes in Emergency.

Im with you on that one. I graduated last December at LA County College of Nursing and have had similar experiences. I'm going out there and trying to network as well as do the online applications but it's SO impersonal. I got some advice from a nurse recruiter. She said that she rarely even looks at all the applications.What helps is when her CNO or someone important at a hospital says to her " Pick that girl or look at her resume." Nurse recruiter said it helps save her time that way. I'm not sure if all recruiters work that way but that's what she said. However, I have had a few friends already hired with their ADN for programs and jobs. I think its persistence, connections, and luck. Oh, I'm 31 so I understand the whole " don't wanna get locked into a contract". But, I guess we have to make sacrifices to get to where we need to be maybe?

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Yeah, I'm willing to make sacrifices and move as long as it's not the middle of nowhere. haha. Connections, I actually know a lot of nurses in hospitals. Maybe I should have them try and put in a word for me somewhere...

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I actually know a lot of nurses in hospitals. Maybe I should have them try and put in a word for me somewhere...

If you're NOT doing that, do it NOW. That's how you will find a job.

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The biggest thing I can tell you to do is be positive. I'm in the same boat as you, although I've been working as an executive director for a home care company for almost a year and snagged as many certifications as my bank account could handle. But I graduate with my ADN in May and will be doing my BSN in the fall. :-)

Little pep talk first - If you tell yourself the story of the job market being "so hard" it will close you off to possibilities. I've seen amazing nurses more qualified than me not get jobs because they come off as being too hungry and defeatist. The first step really is a positive attitude! You're worth it and your job is to make sure the hospitals see how you can work for them AND what they can do for you.

Now for the advice - I would recommend getting in to volunteer at a hospital if you haven't already, talk to everyone in the medical profession you can, wear scrubs to hang out in public places to study (don't laugh, it's true!), and put together an amazing nursing portfolio that you can take to hospitals in the area where you want to work.

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