Can't find a job!

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I graduated in December. Took my exam in January and got licensed January 23rd. I have applied everyday online. ALL the hospitals around here (Ocean County, NJ) only accept online apps. I have also applied to some nursing homes, most are looking for LPNs. I even applied to different states (figuring I can get a license in that state since I passed my exam). I have had ONE interview, it was for a perdiem. BUT they found someone else that they didn't have to train!

Does anyone have suggestions?

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Specializes in Rehabilitation.

I am in the same boat... Newly licensed, apply literally EVERY single day online..... It is SO frustrating! Sitting by the phone...waiting for a call..

I took the liberty of marching into a local hospital, went to the HR department and was told "we are not hiring new grads" I was shocked. She said something about new grad programs being developed.. nice to know, now!

But, I least I could rule that place out!!

Try contacting the nurse recruiters, or just show up to HR. It just may work for you! I wish you the best of luck!! :redbeathe

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I was hoping there would be some interships available around here too, but nothing so far. Some of them only accept BSN nurses, like UPenn's program. I need something before my skills start declining!

Anyone have any good suggestions!

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Specializes in Nursing Informatics, E.R., med surg, ENT.

if moving to a different state and city is an option, go for it! my hospital in the midwest is hiring aggressively. we are a Magnet institution, Choice hiring institution, and have at least 50 nursing openings. we even have a program set-up to hire 90 nurses in 180 days. Of course there is the sign up bonus and i think a moving allowance. the probablity of you getting the shift you want in the unit you like to work in is very high.

I know i sound like a recruiter for the hospital, but I am just one of many happy nurses here. if you have any questions, let me know///

Good luck in your search.

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What State in the midwest? I am considering everything right now!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

You wrote that all hospitals are doing online hiring but I'd still try to get some face time with HR. Those darn website postings are often outdated and can take forever. Even though it seems like a long time in the big picture of large companies that move at a snail's pace a few months really isn't that long to wait. Last week I just started a position based on my website application back in December. If there are any units where you made a good impression during clinicals I'd definitely get in touch with their nurse manager etc. Good luck.

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Specializes in Nursing Informatics, E.R., med surg, ENT.
What State in the midwest? I am considering everything right now!

There are 3 hospitals in the Central Illinois area hiring as we speak. I guess demand is high in the area since we have become a regional hub of sorts. I agree with Jules, you need the Face time with HR and the nurse managers with the unit. In my hospital, as soon as HR calls you, you get set-up for interviews with HR and the nursing unit managers you are interested working. it also pays if you know a name of a person who happens to work in the hospital.

Let me know if you are interested and drop me a line here, i can tell you which hospitals to apply, hopefulyl my hospital. we do need nurses right now. i talk to the girls whom I went to nursing school with every so often working in the various units of my hospital, their chief complaint, "We are short handed". as mentioned in my previous posting, we have a hiring campaign going on and if you do get picked, whomever referred you will get a small but (helps pay the bills) referral fee. good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, Home Health Care, End of Life, LTC.

Good Luck!

I will be graduating in August and I am already trying to start networking.

Keep a stiff upper lip.

:wink2:

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hi there!i can feel i was the one speaking..i graduated march 2008..up to now, i cant land a nursing job because i have to support my sister in her studies.i cant land a hospital job as they will require their nurses to do volunteer work in their hospital..of course, volunteer works are free..if i work in the hospital and do volunteer work, i may compromise my sister's education..i am hopefully looking for a hospital which will accept nurses even for volunteer work on weekends so i can work on weekdays.........sigh

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i graduated 2007...passed nursing exam in the philippines..moved to US...passed nclex march 2009...no job..no one would hire me..im in deep misery...

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