Any other new RNs still having trouble finding work?

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Hi Everyone,

I'm a new RN who's been looking for a job since late 2008. I feel so frustrated and defeated by this grueling job search. Everyday I apply to one, two, maybe three positions, really whatever I come across. I've applied to pretty much all the hospitals in NYC and some nursing/rehab/LTC facilities and still no luck. I'm just checking in with other new grads to see if it's just me that's going through this rough time. Hopefully, things will get better.

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omgoodness that makes me nervous...is it the area that you are living in? Have you thought about moving?

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i'm in the same boat...i had one interview last week and haven't heard anything yet..i live in north jersey..soon the may grads will be out..only advantage is that we passed our boards...hope it gets better...did you try south jersey? heard they are hiring:nurse:

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Hi MelissaYounger, I'm only looking in the NYC metro area so my search is a bit narrowed. This may be one of the reasons why I'm having a hard time finding work. Still, I also definitely feel times are generally hard for us new nurses now. I spoke with a recruiter at Continuum Health Partners and she told me that if I had come to her a couple of months earlier, I could've even had a choice in some areas of nursing I may want to work in. This was right after St. Johns and MIH closed and all the nurses were going to CHP for work. Unfortunately, moving is not an option for me b/c my spouse is locked into his job and we are raising a little one now. BTW are you a practicing RN? :wink2:

Hi quinnie50, do you have NJ and NY licenses? It's good that you had at least one interview. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I keep hoping some places do open their doors to new nurses at certain times of the year and we just haven't hit that time yet. Just wishful thinking :)

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Specializes in Medsurg, Homecare, Infusion, Psych/Detox.

I am not a new grad but I read your post and can emphatise with you. I am aware of the current situation from this site and other sources.

I think with the hospitals having an abundance of nurses applying for jobs, they are going the frugal route and not hiring new grads as they normally would. Of course, this will only be temporary. Since, in the grand scheme of things, the demand for nurses eventually will surpass supply once again. As occured in the mid-nineties.

You will get a job. Don't lose hope. You made a great life choice to choose nursing as a profession.

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pooshu11 thanx so much for your advice...i am considering getting my pa license because i live in northwest nj and it is closer...i commuted to nyc for 22 years and was a few blocks away on 9/11, so i really am hoping that i don't have to resort to nyc...my friend just got a job in the nicu at columbia presbyterian...they might be hiring...still haven't heard back from the interview...this is so much worse than waiting for board results...good luck to you as well...i love this website...where else can you vent? it is so nice to know that there is so many other people in the same boat...everybody else in my life don't get it..:nurse:
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Specializes in peds,home care, dietican.

I'm in the same boat. Just stay positive and keep applying. I live in NYC too but I'm willing to travel upper Westchester which is like 30mins-1hr drive. I can't wait till this hiring freeze is lifted up.

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i have a classmate that was hired at a long island hospital....i am having a hard time staying positive...but like my mother used to say, "chin up":wink2:

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Bklyn RN, thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. When you're so frustrated with the situation you are going through, you fail to realize that there are going to be waves and sometime in the future, hospitals and other institutions are gonna have to start hiring. I do agree with what you said and am going to take it day by day and hope something comes my way.

quinnie50, you're right, this is worse than NCLEX results! lol, anyhow, I totally feel you-seems like we are going through the same thing. I think the worse part for me is that I feel like I'm losing skills that I learned so dilligently in school and forget everything by the time I get hired! Kudos to both your friends that got jobs. Columbia is impossible to get a job, and NICU for that matter, your friend is very lucky. I've been working with them but nothing yet...I hope you hear from your interviewer soon. I did hear somewhere Pa is hiring. If you can get something there, that's awsome.

SweetGurl, yes definitely, all we can do is keep applying and hope something comes up. are they hiring up in Westchester? I haven't applied there, but maybe I should too.

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Specializes in peds,home care, dietican.

Pooshu11,

I'm not really sure but I'm just putting my application every where. It doesn't hurt. They do have openings for RNs but it doesn't hurt to put in your application whether experienced or not. lol lol Stay positive, we made it through nursing school and NCLEX. So we can surely make it through this job hiring process.

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I got the job!!! I am so excited I can't stand it....I really don't think i could have waited another day...Good luck to everybody...I will keep you in my prayers:nurse:

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Specializes in peds,home care, dietican.

congrats!!!!!

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