Advice from a sad new grad

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I Graduated from Pasadena with an ADN, my first mistake. Most of the new grad jobs being offered are to BSN's. Also, apply for ANY job you can that is in a hospital (if that is where you would like to work) and make time to volunteer. I felt i needed to spend every moment when i wasn't in school with my eyes on a book, looking at videos, practicing skills or anything else nursing related that i thought would make me a better nurse in the end, and it all served little purpose. So what if i passed NCLEX in 75, can't find a job

:(

and I'm pretty sure I'm showing all the signs of depression.

Balance thats the key, Eye on the prize and look at the bigger picture.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.

Keep your head up. Southern California is a dismal market with only about half of new grads finding work within 18 months. I just finished my ADN and to sum up the speech the speaker gave us at pinning: "Congrats on getting your ADN, but it's not good enough, so go back and get your BSNs ASAP." Lol. How motivational :sarcasm:

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I'm so sorry to hear that, but not surprised unfortunately -- here is a support forum one of our members started where you'll find you are not alone, and even those who do have a BSN are having troubles. There are 22 pages of replies, and some success stories!

I want to start a support thread for us unemployed New Grads in California

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Specializes in Hospice.

My worst nightmare. I start ADN in August. So do you recommend going to the hospital I hope to work at and volunteering? What kind of things do we get to do as volunteers?

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Wonderful advice! I greatly appreciate it. ;)

I'm thinking about volunteering at the hospital I currently work at. I have experience as a Certified Medical Assistant, so I think that will work wonders in terms of clinical and learning new skills as a nursing student. I'm part of a special program at the hospital I work at specifically for nursing students, so I'm going to see if they know of special opportunities for nursing students to volunteer/shadow on floors. I also work in the Department of Surgery, and I know I can schedule myself for a "share day" to stand in on a case, so I'm also going to check with my manager regarding that.

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goodness this was so meet to wake up and see all of these comments.

I will try to keep my head up.

I will check out the forum for frustrated new grads.

I am starting a BSN in fall.

and to those of you in the program or soon to be, look into "student nurse " positions. I believe you can apply after second semester. I also heard that you can take a CNA exam after 2nd and get a job that way.

I know it might seem overwelming to have a job during school but even if you can work once a pay period (thats twice a month) it will help.

As for volunteering all hospitals do it different and for some you literally refill paper in copy machines, but somehow if you can make connections it would be worth it.

I think its better to find medical related volunteering is possible i.e. family planning, health dpt thing like that.

THANKS AGAIN to all that replied

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I'm so sorry to hear that, but not surprised unfortunately -- here is a support forum one of our members started where you'll find you are not alone, and even those who do have a BSN are having troubles. There are 22 pages of replies, and some success stories!

I want to start a support thread for us unemployed New Grads in California

Ithanks for the link. I went to the site and it was sad and somehow comforting to see so many in the same boat. although it sparked for renewed motivation, it also brought forward some difficult realization of WHAT THE HECK IS NEXT. its almost like fait has to be involved a bit.

Only time will tell. Good luck to all looking, and all with graduation in sight.

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It's odd how every state is different. Here in Ky all of the people I knew who were fixing to graduate a ADN program had jobs BEFORE graduation.

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Specializes in CVICU.
It's odd how every state is different. Here in Ky all of the people I knew who were fixing to graduate a ADN program had jobs BEFORE graduation.

It is the same in Oklahoma. I feel bad for those who are in states like California where there is such a job shortage for nurses.

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I think it depends where you live. Like the PPs from more Southern states, it seems that the job market is better for ADNs than places like California.

I live in the suburbs of D.C. & most of the hospitals here want BSN or are on hiring freezes. I never even considered going for the ADN because of that.

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You can definitely get a job here in KY with an ADN but I will be bridging over to a BSN for job security purposes. They are currently in the process of getting rid of all LPNs in our hospitals and I know in the future they will be mandating a bachelors degree. I plan on applying to my schools bridge program before I graduate with my ADN (my school allows you three months (i beleive) to obtain your license and if unsuccessful you loose your spot in the bridge program) if I am already accepted into the bridge program than that gives me an advantage over other ADNs that are not accepted.

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Specializes in Tele.
It's odd how every state is different. Here in Ky all of the people I knew who were fixing to graduate a ADN program had jobs BEFORE graduation.

We don't have much of a problem here in central Pennsylvania either. The local hospital is pretty good at hiring new grads. Plus there is a merger with a much bigger company that has created more jobs in other hospitals they have merged with previously (UPMC out of Pittsburgh). I don't graduate until next May so hopefully the merger will be nice and in place, eagerly hiring the new grads.

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