broken hearted new grad

DeepFriedRN · Sep 3, 2009

Why do you say it's ridiculous? I know several people in her situation, and they HAVE applied to over 100 positions, some even more than 200. It is possible to apply that much, since in just one hospital website there could be 5-10 positions that a person can submit a resume to, and a different hospital, another few positions, etc. etc. So in one month someone can send 20-30 resumes, to different places, and sometimes the same place but a different position.
In 9 mos, 20-30 applications per month easily can equal 200.
There are many new grads applying to the same positions, so there is also alot of competition.
Just because I know a few new grads that got positions doesn't mean they all are getting them.

I could be wrong, but I think that she was referring to the OP's needing to apply to that many jobs, yet still being unable to find a new grad position as being ridiculous, not the claim itself. That is, that you guys are busting your behinds looking, and after that many applications, OP still doesn't have a job. It is ridiculous, and no fault of any of you guys. My heart goes out to you all. Keep trying, hang in there. It will get better, things will loosen up and hospitals will start hiring new grads again.

tmckinney · Sep 3, 2009

I have to put my 2 cents in i am a recent LVN grad. Yeah most of the peope i know seemed to get a job quicker, going from LVN to RN. Everyone is jumping on the band wagon. We need nurses there is a shortage. Well if you think about it everyone is pretty much going to become a nurse, they won't need all of us. Remember when computers first was popular, everyone jumped on that wagon. Spent all there money getting degrees and engineering and look what happen, the computer industry is not at the top of the list. I still believe it is all about who you know and who can hook you up. If you had previous medical experinence and skills before you got in the field that helps. If you have done that already, them you need to be more aggressive. Pop up find out who is the hiring responsible person. Say the computer would not let you submit it online, so you can turn your credentials in person. I have and i have gotten a call back sooner than the stupid emails.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Sep 3, 2009

It is bad right now. I only do agency at this time due to family responsibilities and this time last year was getting 60 or more hours a week.

This year I have only gotten 4 days of work in the last 3 weeks. I am an experienced ER nurse.

1220nurse · Sep 3, 2009

hi all,
all the new grad out there who are frustratedly looking for a job can definitely relate to me. this is my story. i graduated with my rn degree last december of 2008 and have not yet found a job. i have probably applied to approximately 200 positions to date to no avail. i took all my certification classes acls, bls, and pals. i volunteered to the emergency department cleaning beds, diabetes society as a health educator, and at a camp with children with chronic illnesses. i talked to cno at the hospital that i'm currently employed at as a lab assistant but due to budget deficits they can't absorb me. to my desperation, i'm applying as a patient registrar in all the surrounding hospitals in vicinities so i can be considered as an internal employee when the new grad program comes around.
i'm physically and emotionally drained for the last couple of months. i've worked so hard for this degree (just like everybody else) and i am about to give up on my dreams of becoming a nurse. i have been crying for the last few months and its tearing me apart:bluecry1:. what else do i need to do to find a job in this horrid economy. i've eaten my pride in approaching managers on the unit and i've done dirty works volunteering in all areas. i'm broken, i'm hurt, i'm down, and i'm stress. sorry to vent but i just need it to avert from slipping into depression.

i feel sorry for you, don't give up though. maybe you need to move to another city, or county. i had the same experienced as you do. i used to live in las vegas but now i am in la and was able to get a job as a new grad. i applied at all hospitals in las vegas and not a single one of them gave me a job. that's when i decided to apply to another state, i applied at all hospitals in arizonna too but got no luck and i guess i got lucky here in california. however, before you moved you gotta make sure you have a job. but don't give up though!

soulofme · Sep 3, 2009

The Bay area is tight right now. I have a very experienced LVN friend that moved from N. Cali to S. Cali and hasnt found a job yet. I'd hate to be in your shoes...that would sux big time.

OC_An Khe · Sep 3, 2009

If you are not geographically stable, meaning you can move to the area where you will have an easier time in finding a Nursing position, then you need to consider moving. But the original poster is employed in a hospital setting and I would suggest patience as this recession and other factors that are making job searches difficult will eventually end and competition for employment and availability of positions will improve.

Remember we are talking (from a new grad perspective) about entering a profession in which you will be working for decades. There will be many cycles of hiring/ not hiring over that time. The demand for nursing services and the long term inadequate supply of RNs will eventually force hiring to begin. No one can predict when this will happen asindividual short term finances to both the employer and the individual are creating a lot of angst.

tclema · Sep 3, 2009

I agree, if you can move, do it. Texas and Oklahoma are both hiring New Grad's, as a matter of fact, here in OK we still fight over Nurses to hire. And many hospitals here hire New Grads.

brokenheartedrn · Sep 3, 2009

I am doing long term nursing home care since I had no other choice, but still looking for another opportunity. Have you looked in LTC?

Yes, I looked into LTC.

brokenheartedrn · Sep 3, 2009

Thank you for all your encouragement, it helps me feel a tad better. Yes, I'm willing to relocate ANYWHERE where they hire new grad nurses and I'm trying to apply to any other positions around my area to be considered internal. If everything works as planned, I'll be employed by three big hospitals around the area before the program starts which means I have higher probability of getting hired as an RN into their program. I'm hoping and hanging, thanks to all!

JoblessRN · Sep 3, 2009

hi broken,

i am so so sorry to hear this. i am in your exact same spot (metaphorically and literally too! - i'm in the bay) and i truly feel you. :crying2:

i have applied to about 78 spots with no luck. i truly understand and feel your pain. i am so sorry. it enrages me :angryfire that people/the news hype up the "nursing shortage" when it is one big fat fallacy. i am absolutely livid. there are so many (thousands) new grads around the country that are looking for jobs. we have the nurses we need to fill the supposed "shortage"... employers just won't (or financially can't) pay to train us. it's such bull.

anyway, i would say take as many ce classes you can (what your time and income will allow) and keep plugging away. i hate it when people tell me "don't worry...it will turn around soon". guess what, "soon" doesn't pay my bills or keep from getting closer to filing bankruptcy. and what exactly does "soon" mean??????

anyway, keep your head up...we will get through this. my heart goes out to you. :icon_hug:

Vito Andolini · Sep 5, 2009

To all who are hving trouble finding work: I hope you make your Congreswsmen and Congresswomen and your Senators, on both the state and Federal levels, aware of your problems. Why? Because some people believe there is a shortage of nurses and that the answer is to import RN's from foreign countries. Why? Because it's cheaper probably. Always look for the money.

AS to exactly what "soon" means, I can't say, of course. Just do whatever you can to stay afloat. Look for any job with a hospital or other health care facility, perhaps, so you have a foot in the door, at least, and can meet hiring managers, make friends, you know. It will keep your spirtis up to keep busy and will help with some income.

Or think about beco,ming an x ray tech, RT, PT, OT, SLP, whatever. Maybe not exactly RN but it will be another skill you have and you can still be an RN, too, when work becomes more available.

I did say, some time ago, that this would happen, though not for the reasons it's happening. There has never been a shortage of RN's, only a shortage of RN's willing to work in bad, dangerous circumstances. Be vocal to those who are profiting from this hiring freeze and to legislators.

Remember Lois Gibbs and Love Canal.

work&play · Sep 5, 2009

Everybody outhere thinks there's a "nursing shortage." On Monday, I was waiting for my physiology class to start. There were two people in the class "going in to nursing because is recession proofed" and "you make a lot of money."

I felt sad when I heard what they said. I had to speak. I bursted their bubble and said how there're so many nurses without a job out there. I had a lvn next to me to agree. She announced that her hospital was in a year- hiring freeze.

That was the only way they believed me. Everybody is jumping in the vanwagon like the California Gold Rush.

I'm only going back because I think that's my calling. I left nursing to be a cop. At 5'0 ft, I had no chance with some criminals. I got hit and stabbed and left for a teaching job.

I had students that were taller than me, and didn't listen to me much. I'm out of energy to teach +35 students /period. So, I'm back to where I left off 17 years ago. I'm even back in the same hospital were I was a student nurse, but very happy.