Didn't think it would be this tough

[Cdnbscn]

While I had heard rumours of the difficulties in securing a job after graduation, I suppose this was not made as clear as I had hoped it would be. There have been a ton of RN layoffs in my area right around the time I graduated. Which means I'm competing with a lot of amazing and experienced nurses for the few positions around. I suppose my question is, what can I do? How can I find a job in a market that seems to be over saturated? I already live in a "northern" area and I can't relocate due to my husbands job and small children... Any advice?

[Divatologist, ADN]

I knew coming out of school it was going to be hard for me. I have an ADN and live in a tri-state area (although DC is not considered a state) with a ton of nursing programs on both the community college and university level. I was turned down by many hospitals including my own hospital because I don't have a bachelor's degree. You have to keep applying. When they send the email that they decided to go with other candidates, then apply again. Make sure that you keep checking for the new grad programs towards the end of the semester so that you can be among the 1st to apply. Find out how often your local hospital takes on new grads. The hospital that hired me had 3 new grad groups for the summer. They took one group per month. I'm in the July group. Keep applying. A lot of times different people look at the applications. You may get a different person reviewing your 2nd application. So hang in there and keep filling out those applications. Good luck....

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

If the over-saturation is related to hospital jobs, you may want to look for non-hospital job (rehab centers, SNF's, LTAC's, etc) in the mean time. Not everyone's cup of tea, but it's better than having no job, especially if you cannot relocate. Among my graduating group, that was basically everyone's back-up plan if one could not get a hospital job within a year.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

What area are you in?

[Cdnbscn]

I'm in Ontario Canada. I have applied to hospitals, home care, LTC.... If there is a job posting then I'm applying. I've tried applying to new grad positions and to regular job postings. I'm not limiting myself to a certain specialty or being picky. I'm fairly new in my registration so I'm not totally discouraged yet. I was just hoping that I would be able to find a nursing position relatively quickly due to professional/registration conflicts at my current place of employment.

[CTtechorRN]

I was in a similar situation after graduation- everyone vying for the same jobs with over-saturation to boot... I was eventually hired by the hospital where I trained. They tend to hire their students since we had already adapted to their protocols. Maybe try to get hired on at any place where you trained. They have seen your work ethic and you might get lucky

Good luck in your search and try not to get discouraged!

[RNbubu]

It took me 8 months after graduation to get a job. I hear you... The most stressful months ever. Single mother unemployed and student loan bills starting to come and no job. I have been employed now for 2 years and every single day I say a prayer beig thankful for this job. I probably would not be so thankful had I not struggled for those 8 months. You will get a job, keep applying and in the meantime be ready to interview. In 8 months I got offered only 2 interviews. I was terrible in the first one. When I got a call for my second interview, I was so much more

prepared. I had practiced mock interviews, knew everything about the hospital and unit. Do not give up.