BSN, New Grad in Cincinnati, Summa cum laud, volunteer nurse--NO JOB!!

Nurses New Nurse

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I know I am not the only one...But I am so discouraged and am looking for advice.

I was a high achiever in my BSN program and graduated summa cum laud. I followed the (now regrettable) advice of my instructors and focused on my studies and did not work as a PCA/CNA. I graduated in May 2010, have applied to everything from hospitals to MD offices to nursing homes and health departments. I have had 5 interviews now...all with the positions going to applicants with experience. In the interim I have begun volunteering at a homeless shelter and a local hospital. I am licensed now in KY and OH. While I feel as though the volunteer work and achievements in school are enabling me to get a few interviews, other nurses experience seems to trump everything else I have done.

I switched careers in my late 20s, so have experience in healthcare as an educator and advocate, and STILL I am being shut down. My husband's income has taken a hit and we have had to move in with my parents...with our two children. I am humiliated by seeing that folks who made it through nursing school by the skin of their teeth but worked as CNAs (and I actually tutored) have jobs. I DO NOT want to seem like I have just have a bad case of sour grapes...but things are getting grim.

Can anyone think of anything to increase my chances? I am in the greater Cincinnati area and cannot afford to relocate.

Thanks for all your time.

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Specializes in Med/Surg and ANCC RN-BC.

Here is my advice for you. The market sucks right now. It was hard for me to get my first nursing job. I am still a new grad and it took me 4 months to land a nursing job. I would suggest that you email all your clinical instructors and see if they know of anything at their hospitals. I would also hand deliver your resumes and cover letters to the hospitals and email them constantly about jobs and if they sent your resume to hiring managers. Also, if you know anyone who works at hospitals, totally hit them up and see what's going on on their unit. I hope this helps! Good luck.

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I was in the same position as you. The above post is good advice. Also, contact your classmates who are working and get the names and contact info of nurse managers and nurse recruiters where they work. Write very nice cover letters to the recruiters or managers at hospitals where you did your clinicals, as you are already familiar with the culture at those hospitals (that worked for me). Read Craigslist for home health RN jobs that involve being with one patient at a time for a shift in their home. Or just look at home health in general. Believe me, you will learn a lot doing home health care. Look for PRN school nurse jobs; some states do not require you to have school nurse certification to do PRN work, and you have that nice educator background to boot. Keep plugging! :)

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Unfortunately, OH and KY are pretty bad if your unexperienced. Have you tried home health or LTC?

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I appreciate the feedback...

So many of my clinical instructors were nurses who did not work on the floor they were teaching on...but I will definitely try that as that is one route I have not explored. I have tried home health, but the agencies in this area are requiring one year experience. I have not tried Craigslist, so that is another strategy that I will employ.

Like I said previously, my resume is nice enough that I actually do get interviews. I have gone to mock interviews and been told that I interview well. When I don't get the positions, I am told generally the same thing, "I can't wait to see where you are in a few years! Your resume is great, but there was another who had floor specific experience etc".

Right now, I have been contacted for a few other interviews that of course I'll go to, but I refuse to get my hopes up. I was crushed this last time when I honestly thought I had a real chance, only to find that I once again was outdone by experience.

I will never ever forget how this feels and will always be compassionate to new grads in the future. It is currently brutal out there. I will turn nothing down!

Thanks again for the hints. I will try them out and keep you posted.

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Hey all.

I broadened my search to include Lexington, KY as well as Eastern KY, and a few places in more northern Ohio. I ended up with 4 job offers within a 2 week period and have received another one just this week ( a month after I already accepted another position). I DID have to move from Cincinnati to Lexington ( we were ready for a change anywho) but my position offers a great wage PLUS a student loan buyback program.

I wanted to thank everyone who offered me support during what was a truly trying time.

Hang in there, all who are still searching.

c

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Specializes in Neonatal.

That is great to hear! Here in CA, I am having hard time finding work as a new grad also... and I have 5+ years CNA experience. It's a bit of a bruising to my ego, but I'm trying to keep my head up because I'm not completely adverse to moving out of state.

You said you had your license in those two states before you started applying, do you think they would even take a look at a resume of someone who has yet to apply for licensure in a different state? As much as I would love to get my license in other states... my wallet can't take it right now without the offer of a job!

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Specializes in Tele/cardiovascular stepdown.
You said you had your license in those two states before you started applying, do you think they would even take a look at a resume of someone who has yet to apply for licensure in a different state? As much as I would love to get my license in other states... my wallet can't take it right now without the offer of a job!

I graduated in CA in May 2009 and looked for jobs for ten months before I ended up getting an offer in Washington, DC. I didn't have a DC license at the time of the offer. I found that it was best to mention in your cover letter that you're applying for state licensure (even if you're not doing it yet) so that at least the hiring manager knows that you're on top of getting it. I actually didn't even have my DC license by the time I started working (I'm sure you already know how slooooow CA's board of RN's is;) ) but was able to work under my manager's "signed letter of practice" until it came through. Hope that helps!

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Your story might be my story in a few months when I graduate in May. What is the point of not working (as I was stressed to not do) and focusing on good grades (which I got) when I don't have an 'in'. My daughter only has a little over two years at a great high school and now is not the time to move out of state and in with family. I am so busy networking now, but over 450 people applied for a new RN grad program so I really need to make something happen. Just crazy that we were all promised jobs of choice but now we are in a position that we are fiercely competing with classmates and study buddies. And in my area the nursing schools are expanding so that even more nurses are being produced. At least my school is setting up some transition classes/certificates that might make us a little more marketable!

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Remember many of these jobs are often given to people with many years experience. If someone with say 5 yrs plus wants that job on that unit, they will get it. LOTs of experienced nurses are out of work as well so, they also apply and get the positions that were open to considering NGs, and the hospital does not need to train.

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I am a International grad nurse. I have a LVN license since of 2002. I had worked as a LVN on an off due to raising a family..last August of 2010 I took the Rn board and made it. I want to go back to work but not as an LVN but rather as An Rn, nobody seem to want to accept me since i have a zero experience as an Rn...would it be a good idea then just to apply for an LVN just to get into the hospitals...help me ..what do i need to do....

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come to Dayton! or join the military. they need nurses awfully bad.

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