Can't find a job

Nurses New Nurse

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I pased my NCLEX in October and it's been a month of applying to different nursing positions but no luck. Not even a rejection, nothing. Radio silence.

On top of that, I went to a job fair and got hired on spot. HR said they would give me a call the following week, but that never happened. They are ignoring my calls and emails for three weeks now. One time I spoke with someone on the phone I was told to be patient (the person was very rude and seemed annoyed).

Anyway, I applied at the hospital were I did my role transition and my preceptor said he would be glad to give me a references when I need it. So, I was thinking of calling him at work (i dont have any other contact info) but not sure if that is a good idea. I am not even sure what to ask or tell him.

I graduated magna cum laude, passed NCLEX in 75 questions but it means absolutely nothing if I don't have connections. I am just so confused, frustrated and desperate.

Any tips, suggestions welcome.

Thank you

Today, I got an offer for in-home care, PRN, for a nursing home and for a school nurse, as well as an offer for a hospital job but I would need to relocate (not an option).

Now I wonder if I accept any of those, or I wait for HR to MAYBE call me....Ahhh. On top of everything, student loan service calls me today to remind me I have two more months before paying them back.

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Congratulations on passing the NCLEX. DO you have the email of that preceptor? How did you communicate with that preceptor during your role transition? Take a look at programs that may have a January or February start date. When you apply, if he said you can use him as a reference, put his name down under your references. Passing in 75 questions means nothing that would make you a preferred candidate over another. What organizations care about is that you have a license. Nice job on the magna cum laude!

Yes, congratulations, but the magna cum laude won't help either. So don't bring that up. It's irrelevant. It makes you book smart, but doesn't say anything about your clinical skills, your relationship skills, doesn't mean you have any experience.

It actually sounds kind of snooty to some people and causes jealousy, however unreasonably.

A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush. Take one of the jobs you have been offered.

Best wishes.

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What number is it that this guy said you could put as his contact info for a reference? Is this just a phone somewhere on the unit, or does he have an office, or what is it?

I don't suggest providing him as a reference if the hiring person from some other company is going to be calling a random number on the nursing unit. If he doesn't have an individual office # to give you, he needs to provide either a personal # or an email address - both would be even better. He should know this already, too.

Maybe. But take what you can get.

Also - the manager who was leaving the facility - get her contact info. She could still be a reference for you.

Do not call HR any more. Do not bug them - even if the person you contacted was rude.

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Today, I got an offer for in-home care, PRN, for a nursing home and for a school nurse, as well as an offer for a hospital job but I would need to relocate (not an option).

Now I wonder if I accept any of those, or I wait for HR to MAYBE call me....Ahhh. On top of everything, student loan service calls me today to remind me I have two more months before paying them back.

You have 2 decent offers, maybe 3. Take one of them!!!

Your loan repayment might be able to be delayed a while. interest will likely still accrue, but if you need an extension, try to get one.

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Agree, agree, agree... except for magna cum laude, I wouldn't mention that on my interview (unless asked), but I mentioned it here just to highlight the frustration of how irrelevant my efforts during school were. It is all about who you know, and probably luck.

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Respectfully, I disagree - yes, maybe I wouldn't bring your academic success up during the actual interview but I would definitely leave it on the resume. You don't get good grades simply by being "book smart", it also means you are focused and not afraid of hard work.

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Specializes in SRNA.

The whole application process (especially for new grads) is torturous. I graduated in Aug...applied in September...didn't get a call for an interview until October...interviewed early Oct...offered position 3 weeks later...started orientation mid November. Overall, it was a 2 month process.

I was also picky in where and what positions I applied for...I limited myself to only emergency departments and urgent care centers. One of the urgent care clinics offered me an interview and I had thought I had it in the bag...but they ghosted me.

Although passing the NCLEX in 75 questions is a great personal achievement, employers only care for the RN license.

Congrats on the Latin honors!

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Sadly, it sounds like usual and customary for HR.

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Congrats to you on landing a job. Did you have any previous healthcare experience? I find it impossible to limit myself to only emergency department. I am open to anything, as long as, it is a hospital.

But if this continues, i will accept nursing home position and keep applying.

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Specializes in SRNA.
Congrats to you on landing a job. Did you have any previous healthcare experience? I find it impossible to limit myself to only emergency department. I am open to anything, as long as, it is a hospital.

But if this continues, i will accept nursing home position and keep applying.

Thank you. I had 3 years of experience working in urgent care as a medical assistant with the last year being PRN because I was out of state for nursing school. That said, I was hired with 7 other new grads in the ED. They had no prior experience.

I knew limiting myself to those 2 areas was a disservice to myself but I couldn't convince myself to apply to inpatient positions. It takes a special nurse to work inpatient and that is not me.

Apply to atleast 5 positions per day until you get offered a position. That's what I did. I think I submitted around 20 applications over the span of 2 months to 5-10 different hospitals/clinics

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I graduated magna cum laude, passed NCLEX in 75 questions

Sorry, fresh out of cookies and gold star stickers.

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Specializes in Prior Auth, SNF, HH, Peds Off., School Health, LTC.
Congrats to you on landing a job. Did you have any previous healthcare experience? I find it impossible to limit myself to only emergency department. I am open to anything, as long as, it is a hospital.

But if this continues, i will accept nursing home position and keep applying.

Nursing home as first job out of school is hard, and very frustrating and scary for most. 20-30 (or more) patients, possibly as the only nurse on the unit, with techs who may or may not actually think they are supposed to 'work at work' (many are great... but there are a lot of lazy ones unfortunately:( )

I think the PRN or home care would be better while you keep looking for acute care positions.

You might find you like home care, who knows.... and the PRN could give you experience in different settings, so you can find your niche.

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