Any other new grad RNs in Jacksonville finding jobs?

Ack_RN · Jul 22, 2010

I'm a new grad in Jax and I feel your pain! Have you tried looking at clinics? I wanted to be in a hospital so badly, but after a couple months of complete rejection, I decided to try a clinic for awhile. At least get some of that experience everyone wants!

Good luck!! You will find something :)

NJFek · Jul 22, 2010

I wish I could say yes, but I can't. I'm in Jax and in the exact same position. I've been offered ONE position at a nursing home in north Florida, and honestly it doesn't have a great reputation. They have three days of training on the floor even for new grads, after that you're on your own with 30 residents! They seriously hire anyone with a pulse. I really don't want to take it but I'm afraid I'm going to have to. The benefits suck and I'm so afraid that I'll have no support system at all there. I have put in a LOT of apps at SVMC and BMC Downtown... not one interview. Two of my apps were sent to managers at BMC but not even a call. I called HR today and they basically said that I need to limit my apps to med/surg or areas that require no experience... there aren't any out there! The thing that is making me so mad right now is that BMC also said they don't hire RNs w/o experience outside of med/surg... I PERSONALLY know two people I graduated with (and have heard of others) who were hired in ortho and at the heart hospital... neither of them worked in the medical field while in school (one had experience as a receptionist or something like that in a medical setting, but no RN experience... the other was a bartender during school... How on earth can they say they don't hire anyone w/o experience to one person, then hire another w/ no exp. in a highly specialize area? I'm so ready to just pack up and go to another state. How are we supposed to GET experience if no one will LET us do it??? GRRR

misswhitney · Jul 22, 2010

When exactly did you graduate? I would keep trying everywhere. I would get up and scour each site everyday for new listings. I eventually got two interviews, (one at St. Vincent's and the other at Specialty) and two job offers. Try home health. I know PSA and Integrity are always hiring.

NJFek · Jul 22, 2010

I graduated in May, Miss Whitney... (I actually remember you responding to some of my posts when I came on here to ask questions when I was applying to FSCJ!). Where did you end up getting hired? I have heard of newbies getting on with peds home health. I haven't tried that yet or Integrity... I'll do some research into those! Thank you for your input! :0)

pkmrn10 · Jul 22, 2010

@ Ms Whitney-So far I have had call backs but like I said, when you don't have any nursing experience, that ends the conversation. You would think they would really look at your resume before they call. I have applied to PSA and alot of other places. So far, 3 interviews. That's not bad but for there to be such a "nursing shortage", wouldn't you think it would be easier? I have been out on foot applying to offices, as well as on craigslist. I know something will happen soon, it's just so frustrating.

misswhitney · Jul 22, 2010

I ended up at Specialty. But I have recently taken a job with Intergrity as well, because I want to eventually end up in Peds. I would suggest calling PSA, because about a week after I put in a application, I got a call. And that was with no experience. It took me from August until January to find a job. And I was trying before. I know quite a few people have recently gotten interviews at Brooks and Shands in Gainesville. Good luck! =)

RN: Yari · Jul 3, 2011

I'm a new grad in Jax and I feel your pain! Have you tried looking at clinics? I wanted to be in a hospital so badly, but after a couple months of complete rejection, I decided to try a clinic for awhile. At least get some of that experience everyone wants!
Good luck!! You will find something :)

Which clinics did you apply to?

soon2begrad2010 · Jul 5, 2011

Yes please try PSA or Integrity,I just started with PSA and they have no problems hiring new grads and I just started with Integrity,they don't mind either, I started off in a nursing home on the northside of jax that had a bad reputation also,if you do take a job with them and you feel like you may lose your license don't stay it's not worth it.I have given up on trying to get on with any hospitals ,and so far I almost have 6 months exp.

Tologist1 · Oct 5, 2011

HI Soon2begrad2010,

Is "Integrity" the full name of the company? I'm a new grad with an active license but need employment.

chicookie, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2011

I wish I could say yes, but I can't. I'm in Jax and in the exact same position. I've been offered ONE position at a nursing home in north Florida, and honestly it doesn't have a great reputation. They have three days of training on the floor even for new grads, after that you're on your own with 30 residents! They seriously hire anyone with a pulse. I really don't want to take it but I'm afraid I'm going to have to. The benefits suck and I'm so afraid that I'll have no support system at all there. I have put in a LOT of apps at SVMC and BMC Downtown... not one interview. Two of my apps were sent to managers at BMC but not even a call. I called HR today and they basically said that I need to limit my apps to med/surg or areas that require no experience... there aren't any out there! The thing that is making me so mad right now is that BMC also said they don't hire RNs w/o experience outside of med/surg... I PERSONALLY know two people I graduated with (and have heard of others) who were hired in ortho and at the heart hospital... neither of them worked in the medical field while in school (one had experience as a receptionist or something like that in a medical setting, but no RN experience... the other was a bartender during school... How on earth can they say they don't hire anyone w/o experience to one person, then hire another w/ no exp. in a highly specialize area? I'm so ready to just pack up and go to another state. How are we supposed to GET experience if no one will LET us do it??? GRRR

The only way to get into Baptist is by knowing people or knowing someone who knows of someone. Even then actual hiring jobs at Baptist are very rare. I already worked at Baptist before becoming a nurse and it was super hard for me to find something. You might have to do what I did, go to the floors and personally meet the managers. It worked for me.