ATTN: bay area RN new grads.. Were you able to land a new grad job?

U.S.A. California

Published

I recently just passed my boards and am finding it is VERY hard to land a job as a new grad at a hospital. I know you dont necessarily have to enter a new grad program but a lot of hospitals i have tried applying at say you must be in a new grad. Are you all getting the same treatment? Kind of ironic.

Hi, I applied and interviewed for that job and didn't make the cut.

Kaiser has already reposted this position 2 times. You'd think with all the nurses looking for jobs or transfers they'd find a few by now. Does anyone know what's going on with them?

They probably have the positions internally filled already, but per union contract have to have it posted for a certain amount of time. Keep trying, good luck...

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I had to start reading this thread because I grew up in the Bay Area. :) I live in San Diego now and work med/surg as an LVN. I know I'm really lucky to have found a job in a hospital because most hospitals don't hire new LVN's but I had been working in the ER as a tech. I thought this was the best way to have some sort of "in." Med/surg is not my first choice, this hospital is not my first choice, but just a year there (or even 6 months) and I'm hoping to get a job at Kaiser in a clinic. Heck, if I still can't get another job I know I will when I get my RN after having med/surg experience.

There are lots of nursing jobs listed on the hospital web sites here too but I've noticed that the ones that get hired right away have already been working for the hospital as a tech, CNA, unit secretary, or extern.

But my hospital, which is the lowest paying in the county, is always hiring RN's! :chuckle

I'm counting my lucky stars :D

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Kaiser Oakland has a new grad position posted for ER, its been posted since May...

I have been hearing some VERY conflicting things from Kaiser, one recruiter has said "no new grads" another has said "only new grads." I know new grads and experienced RNs (one with over 9 years!) who are having difficulties and being turned away from hiring events... My best advise, go directly to the managers. I don't know what else to tell you all, I will keep posting as I see positions come available in my network. Good luck to everyone and just keep trying!:heartbeat

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Henry Ford hospital in Detroit has plenty of openings and is hiring new grads the pay is not bad when you factor in cost of living. University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and St. Joseph hospital in Ann Arbor also have openings.

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Specializes in Med-surgical; telemetry; STROKE.

Dear ALL,

I just wanted to share my good news with you. Yesterday, I finally had my first interview.

Thank you, Nurse Salt, again for the information you provided us in a timely manner :). I was invited to come to SF Kaiser. It was a panel interview with 24 candidates for 4 open positions on Postpartum and L&D units.

I do not know the results and, yet, I feel happy because it is my first interview in 4 month period. I will keep you posted.

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Specializes in DD, PD/Agency Peds, School Sites.

Good luck, Romantic!

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Wow, so everyone has me super nervous now. I am only completing my pre-reqs to enter into the ABSN program at Sammuel Merritt. But for $50K and not being able to work for a year during school....and then forever apparently after I finish school I am starting to second guess my decision. I have a great paying job now that I like, but my heart is in nursing...but I have responsibilities and bills to pay. I was hoping to pay those much easier when I became a nurse...apparently not. Scary posts!!! I wouldn't be finished with my schooling until Nov of 2010 so maybe by then things will look up. HOPEFULLY!!!

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Specializes in Trauma.

It will take some time to find a job in the bay area; it took me a year. I FINALLY found a job and not in the area I desire, but I'm in a hospital and the hospital I want to work at. It took me from last October until this October to find a job. In the meantime, I went on 12 interviews; all ranging from dermatology RN, to sports medicine, where I have experience as an athletic trainer. I was told that clinics and hospitals are INUNDATED with resumes and they keep coming in. In other words, hundreds of applicants for only a few slots.

If you've been out of school for awhile, keep studying your books; don't be taken out in an interview b/c your knowledge has slipped. DON'T let your guard down, persevere and remain confident.

If you can't find something here and you're not patient, the central valley is always hiring and they are definitely still having a shortage.

Good luck.

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My heart goes out to all the nurses in the bay area having a hard time finding jobs, you are not alone we are in this together and am glad we have allnurses.com as a forum for us to share our experiences.

For those of you who are interested, I just heard that Trihealth hospital in Ohio just under went some major expansion and they are desperate for nurses they are offering a $16,000 sign on and a relocation bonus.

Yes, it snows in Ohio

The hospitals are Good Samaritan and Bethesda and they are affiliates of Trihealth.

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Hi.

Katkids, How did you find this position in a flu shots clinic? I am willing to do anything at this point just to get started and flu shots, part time, sounds like a good place to start.

HI,

Read about your interview with Kaiser? Any news?

Katkids:mad::wink2:

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Specializes in Med-surgical; telemetry; STROKE.
HI,

Read about your interview with Kaiser? Any news?

Katkids:mad::wink2:

Hi Katkids! Somehow I didn't receive this message of yours; I just decided to take a look at allnurses.com and there you are. So. How are you doing?

About my interview. Nope. I wasn't fortunate enough, I wasn't among chosen. Of course, I hoped, but honestly, it was difficult to expect something different -- the candidates were great: eloquent, quick to answer the questions, cool, and experienced. I think, Kaiser SF used this type of interview to filter those who know how to respond quickly and at the same time stay articulate and clear from those whose thinking process takes too long. Unfortunately, I was in the last group. Additionally, I don't have any experience except my volunteering job in hospital for two years, giving a birth to my children, and my motivation.

What am I doing to stay cool?

I found that writing diary in the time of crisis is very helpful. So I am doing that.

Because I am a second language speaker (yep, I absolutely sure that this is the major reason I am not very impressive during an interview plus secondary reasons, such as lack of experience in medical field, help too..) I have taken English in the local college.

I watch videos (medlineplus, medicine.com, youtube) to improve my pronanciation of med terminology.

From the library, I take only funny and interesting movies like Monk, Veronica Mars, Indiana Jones., etc. Hearty loughter is a lifesaver. I know, you won't argue about that, right?

During November, I was given a great opportunity to administer flu shots in shelters for homeless in SF. I wasn't paid, so what?! I felt like finally I was doing something closely reminding nursing. I felt great!

Now I am looking for a free clinic which is close to my house to volunteer. To commute to SF is too expensive and also takes time to do it for free; though, for a good experience, I think, I would do that.

I continue to study drugs -- it's a big book; I couldn't finish all of it during the school :) so now, when I have plenty of time, why not...

I bought a few books that I found advertised by l&d nurses on Ob/Gyn forum and reading them makes me wonder how one can possibly continue to practice the old way. It's impossible. I find myself to be an absolute fun of Ina May's philosophy.

I am a volunteer at the local Kaiser hospital. The volunteering makes me happy and sad. I am happy because I work with the people I like at the place I want to be. I just hope that I didn't get my RN license to do volunteering only.

Oh, yes. I hate to admit it but I gained weight. I have to work on that trait of mine -- eating helps in a short term only. Everybody knows that.

Was it a long confession for such a simple question:icon_roll ?

"Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves "

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Specializes in Med-surgical; telemetry; STROKE.
It will take some time to find a job in the bay area; it took me a year. I FINALLY found a job and not in the area I desire, but I'm in a hospital and the hospital I want to work at. It took me from last October until this October to find a job. In the meantime, I went on 12 interviews; all ranging from dermatology RN, to sports medicine, where I have experience as an athletic trainer. I was told that clinics and hospitals are INUNDATED with resumes and they keep coming in. In other words, hundreds of applicants for only a few slots.

If you've been out of school for awhile, keep studying your books; don't be taken out in an interview b/c your knowledge has slipped. DON'T let your guard down, persevere and remain confident.

If you can't find something here and you're not patient, the central valley is always hiring and they are definitely still having a shortage.

Good luck.

Thank you soooo much for sharing with us this happy news! CONGRATULATIONS!!!:beer::yeahthat::balloons:

You even cannot imagine how it is important for those of us who are job hunting (with zero luck) to know that there are people like you who didn't give up! YES! So it is possible to find a job after one year of search. Good to know.

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