advice, please?

[birdie22]

Recap of my nursing experience: graduated with a BSN in June, passed NCLEX in July. Didn't have a job lined up after countless resumes submitted, so I decided to travel instead. I traveled for 5 months and now I'm back in the US and job hunting again.

I ask myself these questions/thoughts everyday, and I still don't have the answers to them, so any input is much appreciated!

Am I still considered a new grad? Has the economy for new grads gotten better since I left? Do I have to get new recommendation letters since they are dated back from the Spring time? I could not pass up the opportunity to travel (once I get a job, have kids, etc. I will never have that much time free), and I dont regret it one bit. But now I come back home, and I'm just depressed. It's winter, it's cold, and I have no nursing job. I've submitted countless applications, and not a single word. I've posted a copy of my cover letter and resume, any advice/suggestions would be great! FYI, I dont have a specific unit in mind and just trying to get my foot in the door. Also, I've taken out personal information, names, dates of education/jobs, etc. Thanks!!

COVER LETTER

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am enclosing my resume for your consideration for a registered nurse position. I graduated from ____ University with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, magna cum laude on _______. After receiving my license, I decided to travel and explore various countries before starting my nursing career.

I want to build upon my current nursing competencies and offer a broad knowledge base of clinical as well as teamwork and organizational skills. I know that hospital experience is critical in developing these nursing skills and an important first step in my career. After the past three years of clinical experience, I already have the dedication to the nursing profession, and now I am ready and excited to gain experience being an RN.

I believe that my experiences, along with my undergraduate clinicals and competitive academic performance, make me an excellent candidate this registered nurse position. If you would like any additional information or wish to schedule an interview, you can reach me by phone at __________ or by e-mail at ________. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

RESUME

Objective:

Registered Nurse seeking entry-level position at _____ Hospital in ___ unit

Education:

_____ University, College of Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, magna cum laude

Cumulative GPA: 3.75/4.00

Clinical Experience:

______ Hospital

Rotations: Medical/Surgical, High Acuity, Obstetrics/Postpartum, Operating Room, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Psychiatry, and Public Health

Worked under RN supervision providing bedside care and treatment; Managed medication administration, wound care, IVs and all other aspects of nursing care; Observed RNs in the operating room; Facilitated patient admissions, discharges, and transfers; Compiled clinical documentation including nursing care plans and diagnoses; Participated in interdisciplinary teams; Delegated and supervised patient care to nursing aides.

Work Experience:

Legal Assistant, ______ Law Firm

Research patents and trademarks, file applications with US Patent Office, handle client communications, and supervise new employees

Nurse Technician, _________ Hospital

Provided nursing skills including patient assessments, IV care, Foley care, wound management, patient hygiene, and patient admissions/discharges; Implemented quality improvement monitoring, nursing process, and nursing care plans under RN supervision; Observed the nursing process and care in the OR

Volunteer Nursing Experience: (FYI I did this for about 1 month after I passed my NCLEX but before I traveled)

______ Nursing Home

Monitored Quality Improvement (QI) assessments of nursing aides; Developed recommendations to Director of Nursing; Implemented improvements resulting from QI assessments

Free Patient Wellness Center

Performed various nursing duties at free outpatient clinic under RN supervision

Membership

Sigma Theta Tau International

Additional Information:

Certifications: Basic Life Support (CPR)

College Mentor Program: Mentor of the Year Nominee

Dean's List (Fall 2006 - Spring 2010)

[noregrets]

You still will be considered a new grad, sorry. Your letter etc. looks excellent. I would look for a 'residency' position. I am a nurse manager of a large hospital and we offer residency positions in med/surg 3 x year. These are especially for new grads. Good luck.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

That is an excellent letter, but you might want to consider not posting it as many people might just copy and paste and you have put a LOT of time and thought into it.

Good luck, I've seen shortages and no positions many times in my 36 years as an RN and I believe the tide is about to turn again.

[darkbeauty]

Depending on where you are in the country, try Loving Care AGency, a pediatric homecare agency still generous and understanding to new grads.They will train you. After months and months of searching, I discovered Loving Care after having a job with another facility. Had I knew, I would have walked right in their door after graduation.

Hope it helps!

PS Talk about the winter, i know it's so dreaery and depressing! Plz share where in the world you went!

[birdie22]

wow! I didnt think I would get responses so quickly and i really thank you for your comments! honestly, I do think my cover letter/resume are decent but I've used variations on this cover letter/resume so many times and with NO response from the HR/hospitals that its just frustrating. I've made a couple phone calls, but I never know what to say. I tell them i've applied on their website and havent heard back, and they just say something to the tune of "keep trying". sorry for the vent!

onto better topics, I traveled around southeast Asia - Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Siam. I HIGHLY suggest traveling! I know its easier said than done, but experiencing other cultures is amazing! If only I could marry a rich doctor and we could travel the world together when we get older, a girl can dream, right?