Atypical New Grad here. Experienced nurses, suggestions please :)

[Wokini1]

Hi all, I graduated 12/12 and am still unemployed I have changed my resume, CV several times and after reading suggestions. The problem is, not only am I a new grad RN with no prior CNA or LPN experiencee, I have been a stay-home-mom for 15 years prior to returning to school to get my ADN. I have a huge employment gap in my resume'! I don't know whether to explain somewhere in the cover letter, or put that in my resume? And where would it go, under employment history? In the last 10 months I did take an ACLS class, and have volunteered as a parent at school clinic, but there is little else to go on my resume during this time.

Every Single Job advertised says at least 1year of nursing experience REQUIRED. I have searched day and night, looked at jobs in nearly every specialty, and found only one that said, would consider new graduate. That was for weekend night shift in LTC. I've been applying to all these jobs anyway. But I wonder? Do these go into the circular file while they scratch their head and ask "Can she not Read?" I don't understand how other new grads are getting jobs, and in ED and ICU, and I'm not. Is it because I have an ADN with no nursing experience?

I have no outstanding GPA, no intern,externship, no awards. I am academically average. What I do have is a need to help others. It makes me feel alive. I also have a great work ethic and a motivation to progress professionally. Before kids, I was an EMT and Firefighter. So I have some experience with providing care, and working in fast paced environments, ect. I would love a job in ED. I assumed I would start at LTC, LTAC and slowly work my way up to it. How does a new grad get hired into the ED? I'm thinking now about volunteering somewhere, other than the school clinic. I just want the opportunity to learn and to work. I would even train for free if someone would take me in. Please, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm still hopeful :-).

[prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP]

I don't know where you live or have applied. Have you tried small towns/rural areas. They are normally more friendly towards new grads.

[jack1339]

Try some locwl long term care facilities. They are more apt to hire new grads. There you will gain management experience as well as become more familiar with many types of disease processes and such. Good luck in your search.

[Student Mom to Three]

You are probably not as "atypical" as you think! My first degree was in psych and I worked as a casemanager for our state dept of health and social services for several years. Then, I stayed home with kids for ten years before deciding to give nursing school a whirl. Earned my ADN in 12/11 and started working 2/12.

So....you have no recent work history? I guess I don't really see that as a problem. 20 year old new ADN graduates probably have little to no work history at all. What may help you is to capitalize on the history you do have.

Perhaps you should give up on the hospitals. Getting hired there is pretty impersonal. Hit up small places where there is no huge HR machine. It is in these places that somebody may actually take the time to read your cover letter. Your cover letter must be very well crafted. Your grammar and spelling must be perfect. Be very specific about your skills and how they will help the employer. None of this "new grad wanting to develop my professional skills" kind of BS. You were a firefighter and EMT? Emphasize your ability to react swiftly and calmly in any situation, your ability to block out distractions and deal with the problem at hand. Let the employer know that you will represent them well to the community. It needs to be specific and tailored to what you will offer the employer- not what you hope to gain from the position.

Cruise through Craigslist for jobs. Some will say this is not a good idea- but this combined with personalized and specific cover letters is how I have obtained my positions as an ADN in the very saturated job market in the Portland OR metro area. Some will say to be persistent with the hospital HR department....and that may work depending on where you are. I think that being smart, professional and creative is much more useful in landing a job than being doggedly persistent.

Just my experience and opinion! Take it for what it's worth and good luck in finding what you are looking for!

[PeacockMaiden]

Definitely look at SNFs. Depending on where you are, some of them are desperate. It's not the best job, but you can learn some skills there and it will give you experience. I worked at a SNF for one year, now I found a job in psych nursing that I really like.

[Nonetheless]

Try working on your BSN, too. Unfortunately, the BSN is the new standard, and without one you are at a greater disadvantage. Also try applying for secretary type jobs to get your foot in the door.

[sourapril]

Don't forget child-rearing is a full time job itself. My friend who used to be a stay-home mom, went to nursing school, got her BSN, worked for UPS for a while (to pay the bill) and eventually got a job at a hospital. As long as you can reasonably explain your employment gap you are fine.