Can't even get an interview!

Nurses General Nursing

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I've been a nurse for 5 yrs. but I've always been in school health. Now I'm trying to get into the hospital and I've had 2 interviews at 2 local hospitals. Both hospitals told me they didn't want to hire me because I don't have any hospital experience! Well how am I supposed to get the experience if they won't hire me? They are hiring new grads but not me, and I've had 5 yrs. experience as a nurse. Granted, it's public health experience, but my job is autonomous and I have other skills like prioritizing, excellent assessment skills, etc. All I need is clinical orientation to bring my skills to par. I have the nursing theory under my belt.

I feel like I presented myself well in the interviews, explaining how I bring other skills and experience to the job. The 3rd hospital is still in limbo. The recruiter told me the floor managers don't even want to entertain the idea of interviewing me since I don't have hosp. experience but she is "working on them". I'm quickly losing hope on this hospital. How am I ever going to get into the hospital? Why are hospitals hiring new grads over me?

I didn't read everyone's reply so hope no one covered this.

If you have not had luck in the hospital, maybe you should try another area such as clinics, doctor's offices? This might give you a step up even if it's just for a few months that way you can get your foot in the door. Don't let this get you down, you need to be confident :)

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I've also applied at local nursing homes. I walked into these facilities with my resume in hand, and I can't even get past the receptionist. One receptionist told me the director is too busy to interview me. She didn't even call her to find out if she was truly busy. The other receptionist was nice, but I filled out a 10 page paper application on the spot but I wasn't allowed to hand deliver it. I called 2 days later and the hiring manager said she was too busy doing payroll and will call me if they are interested. Grrrrrr!!!!

I am so discouraged. I have a bachelors in healh education and I've tried thinking of different options that combine my bachelors and RN degree, but I still need the hospital experience to make me a little more "well-rounded" as a nurse. I want all the experience I can get. Plus, many positions still require some sort of hospital experience. I have a lot of counseling, program development and management, as well as teaching experience. I make decisions independently in the school setting, often times they are emergent. I play-up these qualities in my interviews but obviously it doesn't matter.

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What about joining the reserves, the naval reserve? One weekend a month, and two weeks a year.

A bachelors gets you a commission, which you have. They do not commission ASN. You might be able to get some experience that way though.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Welcome to the new reality of Nursing in 2010 and beyond :) Graduated a year ago still no job

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I have a plan: taking STNA course (some places give in for free) , getting a job as a Nursing Assistant (while having RN license and experience, but can't find an RN job), and while working as STNA - still look for an RN job. At least working! What do you think? Going for more degree, at this economic times, getting in more debts for an education - sounds like a very dangerous game.

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My heart starts to race whenever I read these stories. I'm a Pre-nursing student and I cannot believe that I might have these problems after I graduate. I thought that this only happened to New Grads, now I see I was wrong. So.....

What about volunteering at a Hospital? I know we all have to pay bills, but in the meantime you might be able to get some hospital experience by volunteering. I don't know...it's just a thought...maybe it'll help. Good Luck to all:redpinkhe

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The power has shifted back to the people doing the hiring. There seems to be a glut of applicants and few openings to go around so the people who hire can be very picky and gone are the days of hiring the next warm body that comes through the door. We all had our pick of positions in the past, but now applicants need to work harder to stand out or to have a facility take a chance.

To be honest, if I were the one hiring I would go with the safe bet over someone with zero hospital experience. I agree with the other posters that maybe attaining ACLS, PALS and maybe ever instructor credentials in both would give your resume more of a clinical punch.

Good Luck!

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I understand. I dont like when some hiring personel say sorry you dont have experience. But thats the question of the day; How am I suppose to have experience if u wont hire me???

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

I've been following this thread since this morning. OP, I am/was in your situation. I have been working LTC since I became a nurse and worked a few months in dialysis. I have also applied many times for med/surg positions at the local hospital without a single interview.... until today:); the HR director just called me to set up an interview. I just felt like I needed to post this to let you know that all is not lost and not to give up. I also have employment pending at a corrections facility but if the interview with the hospital is favorable you guys can guess where I'm going. Best wishes to all in this same boat.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
I think the reason they are picking new grads over nurses that have a few years under our belts just not in the hospital setting is that they have to pay us higher wages.
I doubt that's the reasoning. They have a range that they're prepared to pay for the position and that's what they'll pay whoever takes it.

More likely, I'd guess the reason is concern that the experienced nurse may be less malleable and more set in their ways than the neophyte who can be trained in exactly the way that they want it done. In my short tenure, I've seen a couple of experienced nurses brought in who didn't work out for precisely that reason.

If they're going to have to train the new hire then they'd probably just as soon bring in somebody who's not already set in their ways.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.
I doubt that's the reasoning. They have a range that they're prepared to pay for the position and that's what they'll pay whoever takes it.

More likely, I'd guess the reason is concern that the experienced nurse may be less malleable and more set in their ways than the neophyte who can be trained in exactly the way that they want it done. In my short tenure, I've seen a couple of experienced nurses brought in who didn't work out for precisely that reason.

If they're going to have to train the new hire then they'd probably just as soon bring in somebody who's not already set in their ways.

I agree. When I managed a physician's office we also wanted someone green--so that we could train her OUR way. Not all experienced employees are difficult to train but you will have some to come in with the know it all attitude; "on my old job we used to do it this way...blah blah blah". No supervisor wants to hear how you did it on your old job they just want to know that you are eager to learn things their way.

Not saying that this is the OP problem but this type of thing does happen.

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Thanks for the support.

I had an encouraging phone conversation today with the recruiter at a local LTC facility. She told me she forwarded a bunch of applications to the nursing director, and mine was one of them. She asked if I could work nights and weekends and of course I said "yes". She was pleased with that. :) I didn't mention that I don't have any hospital experience. I assumed she gathered that from my application. I think she was looking at my app as we were speaking. I know they just hired a NG as one of the Charge Nurses so I do see why I wouldn't be hired as well? Anyway, she told me she was going to run a background check on me, and check my references. Then she will set up an interview. She wants me to get my shot record to her ASAP. Surprisingly, the pay is more than the hospital. Fingers crossed this works out.

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