Can't find a job. New Grad RN!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2013

Are you also looking for jobs outside the hospital setting? If not, try clinics, home health, private duty, nursing homes, rehab, psych facilities, prisons, and other non-hospital jobs. Many of these workplaces accept walk-ins during business hours and old-fashioned paper applications, so there's a chance for an on-the-spot interview. Good luck to you!

RNReadyManc · Jan 31, 2013

I have applied to a few jobs in clinics, one was in LA and I wasn't ready to relocate. The other clinics didn't hire me. Maybe i will try some of the others you mentioned just to get some RN experience. The ED I'm trying to get into is saying I should do things to better myself that are attractive to the ED. Although now I will take just about any job.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 31, 2013

What area of the country are you in? Jobs are much harder to find in large, urban areas. Although you aren't ready to relocate, you may have to eventually.

NurseJessie2 · Jan 31, 2013

It took me 6 months to find my first nursing job. I reccomend asking everyone you know who is a nurse or knows a nurse and see if they can get you in contact with a manager. That is the only way I got the job I have now. Unfortunatly it takes knowing someone to get a job these days! Good luck!

RNReadyManc · Jan 31, 2013

I live in Ca. But married with two kids? it would be hard to relocate the whole family. I'm willing to travel a distance.

RNReadyManc · Jan 31, 2013

@nursejessie2I will reach out to all my friends today. What do you think about some of the nurses I did rotations with?

NurseJessie2 · Jan 31, 2013

I would definatly contact every nurse you have numbers for! A new nurse might know if their floor is still hiring. There could be hundreds of applications for one position, but if someone recommends you, you will be the one there for the interview!

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perioddrama · Jan 31, 2013

Apply to anything and everything. CA is such a hard place to find a job. You're still a newer new grad, so chin up! You haven't been unemployed that long.

Good luck!

dah doh, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2013

It doesn't sound like you've been proactive about it. New grads are having a hard time in SoCal. Apply online for everything, then start getting personal. Drop off resumes at hr. Try to email or call unit managers who are hiring. You might have to tweak your resume as well. Be patient because sometimes it'll take a while to even get an interview. Good Luck!

RNReadyManc · Feb 1, 2013

Thank you all. Yes I have been getting more proactive as of recently and I'm realizing I have to be patient. I've only been in the market a month which is not bad.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 1, 2013

Eh...took me 8 months to find a job...start the job Monday...last nursing course Dec 2011, graduated May 2012, licensed in June, got the job the Friday before Christmas. In Philadelphia, PA. Was told when I started my BSN program it may take 18 months. I became proactive before I graduated. Asked a recruiter at a major Magnet hospital to look at my résumé at a nursing fair. I was in line with at least 200 people, I remained pt. she gave me tips on how to tweak my résumé, and what steps to take if I didn't get into a hospital job immediately. She even gave me her contact info. I plan to email her, her tips helped me land a job.

From a nurse from a area that is SATURATED with experienced as well as new grads from at least 20+ nursing schools, including NJ and DE, to a fellow nurse on the West Coast, I say to reach out to your contacts, as well as if there is a career fair, talk to the recruiter and ask her tips on improving your résumé. They may be impressed with you to keep you in mind, especially if they give you their contact info. You may land a job! Good Luck!!!