Difficulty finding a job as a new graduate RN in Philadelphia area

Nurses Job Hunt

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I graduated in December from nursing school and successfully passed my board in February. I have been applying for jobs since passing my boards and am not having any luck. I have found very few positions that are hiring without experience. Is anyone else having the same problem?

Wow NLNM, you've had it rough! Sounds like you've done everything you can and still no luck :(. I wanted to say admire your perseverance. I've only been looking since September and I feel pretty miserable about not being able to get interviews and it's been hard to keep looking with the same energy I had before. I don't know how you've managed to stay hopeful so long but I hope that I can. Good luck and I hope you get something soon!! Sounds like you deserve it!!

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Hello All,

For all the nurses who were/are having problems finding a job as a new graduate that responded to this post, has any of you found an RN job in Philly yet? Here's my update (original story above was posted from my old account, NewLifeNewMe and the current one, NLNM): Well...I've gone on 3 interviews since then but nothing resulted from them. However, I've learned that because I graduated in May 2014, I pretty much missed my mark in getting hired for some places. I was told by a nurse recruiter that they usually only look at the applications of the new graduate nurses who have graduated for their new RN grad program. What this means regarding my situation is that an RN who had just recently graduated within the last month or so will be considered over me despite the fact that I've been looking for a job since March of 2014. What another nurse recruiter has shared with me is that the longer a new grad RN is out of work post-graduation, the less chances she/he might have for getting an RN job because they see it as if someone should have hired us by now and that it may be an indication that something is wrong with that nurse (yes...this is what was told to me when I asked for feedback...cant make this stuff up). What this means for me??? Apparently, it's a good chance that I may not get an RN job...at least in Philly and my chances are getting slimmer as more time goes by. I can't afford to move out of state so that's not an option for me. #losinghope

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I know of one co-worker who took a year to find a job...in a nursing home; she is currently a supervisor now, so people do get jobs in the Philadelphia, PA area, even after a year.

My only suggestion is to look at smaller companies; they do hire new grads, due to the fact that most people move on after that year or two years experience.

If you have a car, try looking as far as Allentown, Reading, Hershey for positions (those places called me back, but I declined because, like most people in the city, I love my public transportation! :sarcastic: )

Even try home health, clinics, prisons, etc; there is nursing OUTSIDE of the hospital; and as someone who worked in various non-hospital settings; you will be surprised on the nursing skills you can hone outside of the hospital setting; my skills were easily transferable to the hospital setting when I found a job, and even as I work in a non-hospital setting now, I get calls and interest because of my past and current background.

Best bet is to look far and beyond the hospital setting; get experience, then look into the hospital setting once you get a job; and if you don't, you at least will be working as a nurse. :)

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Hi LadyFree28,

You are absolutely right...it doesn't matter where yhe experience comes from which is which I never limited my searches to just hospitals. I pretty much looked everywhere here in Philly. I've applied (online....with a resume that has been professionally updated and cover letter) and dropped off a paper application to places that weren't online) to both big and small hospitals, clinic/healthcare facilities, nursing homes, rehabs....any place that has nursing positions. I also applied for home health RN positions up until a few months ago before I had to let go of my care because I could no longer keep up with the repairs. The farthest I will look for an RN job is as far as Septa and NJ Transit would take me. I've even gotten feedback from the few interviews (when possible) I've been on and was told that someone else with more experence received an offer. I would even hear this same excuse (the interviewer said good things about you, however, you lack experience) when getting feedback after applying

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Con't....

to new RN graduate programs (yes....they even look for experience, not clinical experience, but previous work experience in new RN grads, smh). I am now up to over 550 plus applications total (hospitals, non-hospitals....any type of facility) and STILL without a job. Any other suggestions LadyFree28? Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Have you looked on craigslist, as well as the Philadelphia health department? They may be looking for nurses in their public health department.

Craigslist has a couple of places that hire new grads, including doctors offices, health screeners, etc.

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I have applied to public health RN positions for PA but I'm still waiting for a response. I was told that it takes a while to be contacted...it's been a few months now. I have not tried Craig's list though! I will see if I am able to find work that way and update this post. Thanks! If you have any other suggestions, feel free to share again!!!

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Specializes in Rehab, pediatrics.

Have you tried for locations that require you to drive outside of the city? The suburbs and further locations seem to be slightly easier to find jobs. I don't know how much you are willing to travel (but hopefully you would only have to travel for a year and then get a new job in Philly) I found that Allentown tends to hire new grads at most of their hospitals and I actually had interviews at most of the big networks in the Allentown area. Just a thought. Allentown isn't quite as close as I would like either but I will get my experience. But it does sound like you have tried very hard and I admire that. Kudos to you for not giving up. I don't think I could fill out that many applications and still have hope. How do you feel you are doing in your interviews? Have you been getting enough feedback that you think you are confident or do you feel as though you are lacking and need someone advice? Good luck to you. The job market is rough right now.

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Hi Kayseadeecee,

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure if you've gotten the chance to read my entire post above but I mentioned that I had to let my car go because I couldn't keep up with the repairs therefor I am no longer able to apply to jobs that require me to drive. The best that I can do is apply for positions Septa and New Jersey Transit can get me to.

Regarding my interviews...out of all the applications I've filled out, I wasn't given the opportunity to interview. I would be rejected before getting to that point. I've only gone on a handful of interviews. Now regarding the interviews I've gone on so far...I do feel pretty confident enough to feel that I have landed jobs after being interviewed but in the nursing world, you can never tell. Yes, when it's given, I have received feedback when I requested it to make sure the issue wasn't with me. I was told I interviewed well (When feedback was given) by a few places but lacked experience.

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This is quite a late reply to you. But I am very overwhelmed at this moment when i will be graduating this May 2018, and knowing I will be in the same path as you and many other new grads have walked through.... I have no experience in hospital... Not even CNA. Only volunteering and personal clinic where I worked as assistant, not as RN. I am sure the recruiters will not even skim through my resume when they know I have no hospital based experience on the first bat. It has been about 3-4 years from your last post and was wondering how you are doing as RN! I am located in New York City and planning to go back to my hometown and look for a job in NYC/ NJ/ PA/ and CT for sure -- expanding my ratio as much as possible.. Now it is all about networking they say.. Any hopes for me as a new grad?

Thanks

Hi Kayseadeecee,

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure if you've gotten the chance to read my entire post above but I mentioned that I had to let my car go because I couldn't keep up with the repairs therefor I am no longer able to apply to jobs that require me to drive. The best that I can do is apply for positions Septa and New Jersey Transit can get me to.

Regarding my interviews...out of all the applications I've filled out, I wasn't given the opportunity to interview. I would be rejected before getting to that point. I've only gone on a handful of interviews. Now regarding the interviews I've gone on so far...I do feel pretty confident enough to feel that I have landed jobs after being interviewed but in the nursing world, you can never tell. Yes, when it's given, I have received feedback when I requested it to make sure the issue wasn't with me. I was told I interviewed well (When feedback was given) by a few places but lacked experience.

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