Anyone NOT have trouble getting a job?

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I tend to dwell on doom and gloom...have any of you not had any trouble?

Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.
I can't answer the question since I'm not a nurse (but I start my program in the fall :yeah:). But let me ask a question to those graduates or soon-to-be graduates, how far in advance did you start applying to RN new grad programs? Also, it would seem like every new nurse would need to go through some type of residency program, but for those locations that do not have formal programs in place, are the nurses just thrown out there on the floors?

I started sending my info to the local hospitals in February before I graduated (in may of 08). I got called in March for my first choice (labor & delivery), interviewed twice and was hired in April before I graduated. No, they don't just throw you out there - you are assigned a preceptor and he or she will train you. The first couple of days I shadowed but then started doing for myself while she watched. Different hospitals have different precepting ranges - they can range from 6 weeks or so to 6 months long. Mine was 2 months.

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Specializes in LTC.

I didnt have any trouble. I passed my boards, applied for jobs in like 4 hospitals and 1 nursing home. Nursing home called me back 2 days later and I've been working there a month now.

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Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.
I didnt have any trouble. I passed my boards, applied for jobs in like 4 hospitals and 1 nursing home. Nursing home called me back 2 days later and I've been working there a month now.

What do you think of it? Are you days or nights? How is it going so far? Will you work there awhile or do you plan to move on to something else soon? (sorry for so many q's)

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Hi, I am interested in finding out what nurses feel as migrants to other countries, considering the issue of maybe going elsewhere for a job. Any thoughts?

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Specializes in Medical & Cardiac ICU, Palliative.

As a new grad, my first interview was with the Unit Director of the unit I did my Senior Practicum on. However, other institutions kept rejecting me until I could put my scheduled NCLEX test date on my application, that was the first time I heard from a source that I applied to. Once I got my RN, a place once called me within minutes of electronically submitting my application. I think that was a fluke though :)

Be persistent. Apply for everything. Send your resume to friends and family for forwarding. Network. See if your instructors know of any units looking for RNs. Keep at it!

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

Well, that depends. I went out on medical leave last February(09) and just started looking in September. I didn't look at nursing jobs from Sept-Dec because I really thought I wanted to leave the field. Got nary a single bite. Then I found out through a friend about a new listing for a school nurse. I faxed over my resume, they called and made a date for an interview, I aced the interview and they offered me the job. I'm working as a school nurse. :nurse:

So you see, it really just depends on your being the right person in the right place at the right time. Best of luck to you. Something will open up, I'm sure.

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I had a job at Hopkins before I graduated.

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How about LPN's, specifically? I'm curious because I'm thinking about becoming an LPN.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Those who have graduated and obtained employment are less likely to post here than those who have not.

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Specializes in Cardiology.
I can't answer the question since I'm not a nurse (but I start my program in the fall :yeah:). But let me ask a question to those graduates or soon-to-be graduates, how far in advance did you start applying to RN new grad programs? Also, it would seem like every new nurse would need to go through some type of residency program, but for those locations that do not have formal programs in place, are the nurses just thrown out there on the floors?

I'm an old graduate, but my advice would be to start looking NOW for an entry-level hospital job. You don't have to wait until you're a new grad to get your foot in the door!

CNA is always a good option, and it will teach you about real, Crocs-on-the-ground nursing that will enable you to run rings around your straight-A classmates in clinicals. But there are a lot of entry-level options -- unit secretaries, EKG techs, patient transport, dietary, phlebotomy ... all these things get you comfortable working with real patients and teach you about how a hospital runs.

If you are reliable and good at your job, you will become eligible for transfer after a year at most facilities. You will already know people in the hospital; you have a built-in network and even us old saws will respect you for working your way up like we did. Some employers will even help with tuition if you agree to work there for 2 or so years -- a win-win, because it helps you get that first RN job.

Obviously I am a BIG fan of working while in nursing school. It doesn't have to be full-time, but classes and clinicals don't come close to the reality of a bedside nurse's 12+ hour shift. Plus, it teaches you time management skills and you will need those! :D

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Tulsa area hasn't experienced problems for new grads. I graduate in May and got hired into a level III NICU last month. Many of my classmates are going through the interviewing process right now... so far so good.

Best to you!

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Specializes in Home Health CM.

A lot of my classmates had jobs lined up after they graduated. Some of them were in internships, like I was and had no problem landing a job. Others have no hospital experience and unfortunately they are having more of a difficult time finding employment.

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