Career fair (Los Angeles, CA)

[Consults2014]

This is for people who haven't signed up for Nurse.com or haven't been checking their email announcements. I tried a search about this event but didn't see anything...

If you're in the LA/OC area (Universal City), there's a career fair for experienced nurses and new grads (New grads only get 2 hours). It could be a good place to ask local hospital questions about current outlook at their facility and new grad programs, AND to network (!!!), etc. It's on June 26 at the Hilton Hotel. This is a great way for you to talk to someone from the facility. If you're not located in SOCAL, they are at other locations, too: http://www.nurse.com/events/career-fairs/.

Even if you think these are pointless or a long shot (in getting a foot in the door), it's still an excellent way to practice your communication skills; especially to admin/management.

You can also go to Citywalk and try to catch an outdoor concert when you're done.

Price: free

Parking: $10

Find other career fairs: http://www.thequarterroll.com/Job-Fair/nursing-job-fair.htm

Preparations for career fairs:

http://www.nursezone.com/student-nurses/student-nurses-featured-articles/How-to-Be-a-Career-Fair-Standout_18548.aspx

http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/getting-started/work-a-nursing-career-fair/article.aspx

Note: Admin please edit/delete if needed.

[Nonetheless]

I went to the la one. It was awful. NO ONE took resumes and it was basically a circle of HR departments going on about how competative they are "we have 1,000 applicants for every 2 positions!" And anytime I asked someone if they took resumes they would say no.

On top of all, you get to meet a bunch of other desperate new grads who have been unemployed for over a year but are excellent candidates.

It was the most depressing and discouraging event of my life, and made me regret becoming a nurse because of the dark and dismal job market waiting for me.

At least I learned that I hate la (so much pollution and traffic and so expensive to live in even the bad parts) and moving out of state looked like a better option than living in LA. At least I became more open to the idea of leaving to find a job.