Can't find a job. What job could I do in the meantime thats healthcare affiliated?

[Bookworm22]

I'm a new grad and still have not found a job. Ive applied to about 6-8 hospitals. I havent gotten any interviews or anything yet . Most hospitals are saying to wait till the new year. I was thinking of doing something in the meantime..but Im not sure what would be good to go into? If you have any ideas ...your insight is greatly appreciated.

[Bookworm22]

Thanks for the idea...maybe ill look into that. Goodluck by the way..hopefully we will both get lucky finding something soon!

[mondkmondk]

Bookworm: I have over 16 years experience and I'm having trouble too. (But I'm also on disability thus limiting the number of days I can work per month) But still! I'm waiting to hear back from Corrections (womens' prison) but the interview was terrible. They asked me 5 pages of questions right there on the spot and I was totally unprepared. I don't expect they will hire me. One of my best friends is a DON at a LTC facility, where I've worked before. She needs a weekend night nurse stat but the administrator is balking because she really doesn't want to pay RN wages when an LPN could do the job.

One time I wrote on an application that I would take LPN wages over RN wages just to get started somewhere. They took me at my word and gave me LPN wages. But at least it was something and only temporary.

I also have one foot in the door with a nursing agency called Maxim that someone here referred me to...they are supposed to be getting back with me sometime soon. I may have to travel a bit, but the pay is pretty good.

Have you also thought about medical transcription or medical billing like in a doctor's office?

Blessings, Michelle

[Mexarican]

What about night positions...those are always available in abundance...there around here anyways...

Mex

[alkaleidi]

Thanks for the idea...maybe ill look into that. Goodluck by the way..hopefully we will both get lucky finding something soon!

Just a suggestion...

Post your resume on hotjobs and monster. Be very honest about your experience (little or none, new grad, etc) and also honest about your eagerness to obtain full-time RN employment. Check out the job listings on there as well. Go to google and type "hospitals near philadelphia, PA" -- check out ALL of their websites (job listings) -- submit applications to all of them. As a new grad you can't be too picky. Also consider what specialties you are willing to work in. Prisons hire nurses, doctors offices, local health departments, dialysis centers, nursing homes, the list goes on and on. I can't believe you aren't able to find a job! Keep looking -- they are out there!

I do have experience, but I can tell you that I posted my resume online and the next day I had 6-7 voice mails from nursing recruiters. Also, are you willing to travel or relocate? Are you stuck in PA or willing to move? As a new grad I was offered a 6-month contract on a med/surg unit (willing to hire new grads due to a combination of the facility being expanded, an anticipated long-term need for travel nurses, etc). Get your resume on the internet -- it could be the key to your first job. :) Good luck!!!

[lugnutz]

I am also a new grad having trouble getting a job. Most places I have looked into will not hire a new grad for: per diem, float, travel nursing, staffing agencies, specialties such as oncology, school nursing, hospice, L&D, dialysis, surgery, doctor's offices, etc, etc., etc. Maybe that is not true where you guys are? I am in CT. I have had three hospitals tell me they are not hiring new grads right now. I even had one tell me that if I had 6mos expereince they would hire me. It seems where i am, if you have experience, you are golden-if not, then you are screwed. I have considered trying to get an LPN position so I can start working and not lose my skills. Also, I may call my school and see if the nursing department can help me secure a job- I did spend PLENTY of money there!!!LOL