Can't find a job as new grad!!!

labrador4122, RN · Jun 14, 2008

I live in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area and just graduated from an RN program on 5/9/08. My NCLEX is scheduled for 6/17/08 and to top it off, I am 15 weeks pregnant. I have applied to every possible place that staffs RNs, but no luck yet. Most major hospitals in this area don't want to hire new grads. I did just get an interview scheduled for a nursing home/rehab facility. I guess I just need some advice. As a new grad with zero experience as a nurse, would you take a job at a nursing home if it meant getting in some experience so you could transfer to a better job in 6 mths to a year? I know that nursing home RN jobs are not anything special, espically for new grads, but I am desperate to find a job. At this point, is a job just a job, or should I hope that something better comes along soon?
Janice

Janice- reading your tory is like reading my BFF's story!

The same same same situation.

what she did, is that she passed her license, could not get a job, and started working as a telephone operator.

a couple of months after she started the telephone operator, she got a job per diem at an outpatient center- had her baby- and they hired her full time.

BUT she got the job perdiem by applying to everything she could online.

I would suggest taking the job at the nursing home= and get a little bit of experience, and after the baby is born, then keep looking for jobs online.

keep and keep looking, and don't give up. Someone has to hire you because we all started as new grads without experience- there is no way to hire people with just experience without starting somewhere first!

congrats on the baby in the oven!

bill4745, RN · Jun 14, 2008

I have worked at Delaware County Memorial for 7 years and love working there. There are 5 jobs specifically indicated for GN, and at least a dozen for med-surge that say experience preferred, but not required. Click on the link below. Please IM me if I can help you in any way.

http://www.crozer.org/CKHS/Left+Nav/Careers/

NPs4health · Jun 16, 2008

Hi there,

I just wanted to let you know that there are plenty of hospitals out there that are willing to train new grad nurses. So don't give up! Maybe you should change the area in which your're looking? Are you able to relocate? Also, elderly patients in nursing homes are often immobile and need lots of help moving around, lifting, turning, etc. Does the place you're working at have aides that will do these things or will that be included in your job responsibilities? Because that may be a strain on you if you're pregnant.

Now the other part of your question, about going to nursing home as a new grad--I actually started out in a rehab floor when I first graduated and thought it would be an awful place to start. But I found that things moved at a slower pace and it was much easier to catch on than on a med surg floor. So it really depends on what you want to do in the future. Do you want to work in a hospital setting or going back to school? Whatever you do, just know you're not stuck. Once you get started in a hospital, they will want you to stay and other hospitals will want to hire you after you have experience. Your RN license is a valuable assett and it's still true that there's a nursing shortage! Don't let the recruiters/HR get to you! Keep trying

Good luck!

Sashakins · Jun 25, 2008

Hello

I have been unable to obtain a new grad nursing job. I have applied to several hospitals in different states and even agreed to take the NCLEX-RN for those states that are not compact states.

I recently flew out to the east coast for an interview and when I got there a few interviewers canceled because the positions were filled. That was a waste of $800.00. I received a call from a recruiter last week, I returned her call the next day...no call back. I called a couple days later...no call back. I called again after the weekend and she returned my call, but I was outside and missed the call...my bad! I called her back 20 minutes after she called...no call back.

I take my boards 7/4/08 and I really ask myself what's the point?! But I have already invested over 2 years of my life to this; can't quite now.

Pray for me, please.

nelliethenurse2B · Jun 26, 2008

sashakins you are in my prayers.... don't give up. you didn't come this far for nothing. with the shortage of nurses nation wide, some one's bound to call you soon. just hang in there everthing will work it's way out you'll see.......... :up: :up: :up: :up: :up:

PetuniaRN · Jul 18, 2008

I too am having your same problem (minus the bun in the oven). I graduated from nursing school and passed the NCLEX in South Carolina (May) and moved to California. It took awhile to get the California license and I missed out on all the new grad hiring at all the local hospitals. Unfortunately, the recruiters have not been nice or helpful to me here. They don't return my messages, and when I do get one, they respond in one or two words to my questions then hang up!! The hospitals only hire us "newbies" during certain parts of the year so I am now waiting...but no other place (non-hospital) is willing to even consider a new grad. I am contemplating getting a "regular" job outside of nursing in the meanwhile. I just feel bad cuz I know it is temporary and don't want to mislead any company. And we spent so much money on nursing school for me to work for low wages here in California. I feel your pain. If you want to move to SC, they are much nicer and will hire you right away--but the pay is bottom of the barrel. Seems you can't win!!!Good luck with the job search and the baby. Try meeting someone that works where you want to work--maybe they can get you in. :banghead:

glamgalRN · Jul 18, 2008

Janice,

I live in the same area as you and just wanted to see how you were doing and what was going on with your job situation. I still believe there are nursing jobs available in Philly/South Jersey, so don't give up. I think right now it's tough because a lot of hospitals only hire a certain amout of new grads at one time and many have met their limit. I realize you probably need to start working ASAP, but if I were you I would keep applying for positions in hospitals. What about Hahnemann? A lot of my classmates got jobs there. Do you have your ASN or BSN? If you have your BSN that gives you MANY more opportunities in Philly. Keep me posted! :nurse:

Good luck

kathi yudin · Jul 20, 2008

as a new grad in 1975.. i SWORE i would NEVER EVER work in one of those big bad nursing homes!!!.. i wanted to be where the action was.. and how sad to be in a nursing home with old people.. and patients/residents that family has forgotten!!.. has my attitude changed!!.. i have worked long term care now for 8 yrs.. and can't think of anything else i would rather do!!.. we can learn so much from our elderly.. and from being there.. you truly enhance your assessment skills because who else is there to do the assessment for you??.. there are no interns.. residents or staff doctors.. it is you and the other nurses that you work with .. you learn to use everything you have learned and than some including your "gut" feeling!!.. i think you can learn alot and that will prepare you for the future.. hospitals are sending sicker and sicker patients to the nursing homes because insurance will only pay for so long.. there are sub acutes where you work with vents.. iv's.. gt's.. there are regular otc where you do iv's.. gt's.. rehab.. you give emotional support to families.. and to residents.. you use every skill and to hone it well.. i wish you luck what ever you choose.. i for one don't want to go back to the acute.. this is where it is especially as us baby boomers get older and retire and get sick...

marisa8602 · Jul 25, 2008

:nurse:Hi my name is Marisa and I recently graduated and passed my boards (may 08). I also have been having a lot of dead ends when applying for jobs. I think I have tried every hospital in my area even 20-30 miles away and nothing. NO one wants to hire new grads only for the new grad programs which are filled. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't understand how they say there is a nursing shortage when so many of us new grads won't get hired. How do they expect us to have experience if NO one will hire us to get the experience. I think If they were in that much need of nurses they would hire anyone with or without experience.

I live in the city of Chicago and hoping someone hears my plees and can help me find a job that will hire a new grad. I may be picky but I don't want to hate my job everyday I go in and with geriatrics this will happen. The units I would like is L &D, mother baby, NICU, general peds, women's health, anything but ADULTS.

Please someone help