difficulty in getting jobs for new RNs is that true ...

Mblue1334 · Oct 16, 2009

CONGRATS RN!!!

Not to be the barer of bad news, but I got my license in January 09, and I JUST got an offer last week!!!!

I moved to Tampa FL from my home in Ohio, and I know that if I had been in Ohio I could have surely gotten a position much sooner since I knew ppl from clinicals, school etc.

I had 4 "open" offers in Tampa prior to getting my license (about Nov. 08), and I decided to wait until I actually moved here, and received my license to make a decision to actually accept - by that time..... well the recession had hit -- hard!!!! No-one wants GN's!

I was spending at least 3-4 hrs/day filling out apps - and I couldn't even get an interview!!! There were rarely any listing for RN's with less than 1 yr of experience! Most Hospitals were only hiring GN's from within, and even so they were only taking about 45 every 6-8 months!!!!

I was among the Top Ten in my graduating class, passed my boards the first time with a perfect score, I already have a degree in computer science, and I have successfully run my own business for the past 6 years ---- I also decided after a few months to start volunteering - in order to help my community, and get some RN experience.

I FINALLY received a call for an interview for a FT position at a Cardiac Chest Pain Center (addition to the ED, Cardiac Observation for possible MI's) last week! I was actually in the midst of looking at places back in Ohio, bc I had nearly lost all hope.... but I was so excited about the Interview that I immediately got out my Cardiac books, scheduled an ACLS class, and also signed up for the American Heart Assoc.'s online "Rapid STEMI ID" course (little did I know it was going to be VERY difficult for an RN not experienced in Cardio)!

When I went into my interview I knew that there were going to be many experienced RN's coming in for the position as well, so I didn't think I had a real chance, but as soon as I mentioned that I took the STEMI course, the manager said she was hiring me!!! She said "I could hire someone with a year of experience in Med-Surg, or Peds, but they may not have the drive to learn that you do, so I would rather have you take your time getting the basics down, yet have a passion for learning Cardio".

So....... after about 6-7 months of seriously looking, and finding nothing -- my BEST advice:

- Volunteer: Clinics, Red Cross, Events for Seniors, Schools etc. -- much better than a gap in your resume

- Get ALL the certifications you can: Look at Certifications/CE's in the filed you're interested in, take a Medical Spanish Course, get IV/PIC certs, ACLS, PALS, you can actually get a higher pay rate with some certs. Community Colleges generally offer many courses that you may never have thought of.

- DO NOT settle ( I almost went into Long-Term care, but I knew that I would NOT be happy there for personal reasons, and now I am so..... glad I waited)

- Be open minded about other areas of nursing

- Don't loose hope!!!

I wanted Critical Care - and after nearly taking a position in long term care, I am now so..... excited about my new job, which I waited for! I never imagined that this is what I would be doing (I didn't even know what a Chest Pain Center was lol), but now I know that it was worth the wait!!! I will eventually get to float to the Cath Lab, ED, etc., and I will be trained in a "specialty", which is always great for experience & pay rates.

Best of Luck!

It will happen!!!!!

-Misty

leqwedz · Oct 16, 2009

don't b'live the hipe.you'll find a job.even if it means moving..you got to do wat u got to do..the critical part..the school is done.

go out there and do you.

proudtobeRN777 · Oct 16, 2009

hey mblue thx for replying,really encouraging story, so at last u got wat u really deserved,thx for advice,i really appreciate it, actually i thought the strugle has come to an end after passing nclex,but it has actually started,wat a luck ,when i joined nursing , hospitals were paying sign up bonuses and now when am done,they r not even ready to hire us ,but as u said i will not lose hope .....

neonatal_nurse · Oct 16, 2009

Yes, it is so true. So two words for you: Start applying.

Good Luck!

mag_new · Oct 16, 2009

Congratulations on your new job.

I have questions about volunteering. Do hospitals let you volunteer once you have RN license?

Another thing is: I have former classmates work in the hospital, if they work as a nurse there, and I volunteer, I don't feel very comfortable about that. I would rather pick up a hospital that I do not know anybody there.

CONGRATS RN!!!
Not to be the barer of bad news, but I got my license in January 09, and I JUST got an offer last week!!!!
I moved to Tampa FL from my home in Ohio, and I know that if I had been in Ohio I could have surely gotten a position much sooner since I knew ppl from clinicals, school etc.
I had 4 "open" offers in Tampa prior to getting my license (about Nov. 08), and I decided to wait until I actually moved here, and received my license to make a decision to actually accept - by that time..... well the recession had hit -- hard!!!! No-one wants GN's!
I was spending at least 3-4 hrs/day filling out apps - and I couldn't even get an interview!!! There were rarely any listing for RN's with less than 1 yr of experience! Most Hospitals were only hiring GN's from within, and even so they were only taking about 45 every 6-8 months!!!!
I was among the Top Ten in my graduating class, passed my boards the first time with a perfect score, I already have a degree in computer science, and I have successfully run my own business for the past 6 years ---- I also decided after a few months to start volunteering - in order to help my community, and get some RN experience.
I FINALLY received a call for an interview for a FT position at a Cardiac Chest Pain Center (addition to the ED, Cardiac Observation for possible MI's) last week! I was actually in the midst of looking at places back in Ohio, bc I had nearly lost all hope.... but I was so excited about the Interview that I immediately got out my Cardiac books, scheduled an ACLS class, and also signed up for the American Heart Assoc.'s online "Rapid STEMI ID" course (little did I know it was going to be VERY difficult for an RN not experienced in Cardio)!
When I went into my interview I knew that there were going to be many experienced RN's coming in for the position as well, so I didn't think I had a real chance, but as soon as I mentioned that I took the STEMI course, the manager said she was hiring me!!! She said "I could hire someone with a year of experience in Med-Surg, or Peds, but they may not have the drive to learn that you do, so I would rather have you take your time getting the basics down, yet have a passion for learning Cardio".
So....... after about 6-7 months of seriously looking, and finding nothing -- my BEST advice:
- Volunteer: Clinics, Red Cross, Events for Seniors, Schools etc. -- much better than a gap in your resume
- Get ALL the certifications you can: Look at Certifications/CE's in the filed you're interested in, take a Medical Spanish Course, get IV/PIC certs, ACLS, PALS, you can actually get a higher pay rate with some certs. Community Colleges generally offer many courses that you may never have thought of.
- DO NOT settle ( I almost went into Long-Term care, but I knew that I would NOT be happy there for personal reasons, and now I am so..... glad I waited)
- Be open minded about other areas of nursing
- Don't loose hope!!!
I wanted Critical Care - and after nearly taking a position in long term care, I am now so..... excited about my new job, which I waited for! I never imagined that this is what I would be doing (I didn't even know what a Chest Pain Center was lol), but now I know that it was worth the wait!!! I will eventually get to float to the Cath Lab, ED, etc., and I will be trained in a "specialty", which is always great for experience & pay rates.
Best of Luck!
It will happen!!!!!
-Misty

jmaverick101 · Oct 16, 2009

here in texas it it pretty easy to get a job. I applied everywhere in san antonio, and all the places called me within the week and offered positions. In Corpus Christi, TX I had a friend not even finish filling out the application online and they called him for an interview. Maybe it's something thats happening in other states, but not here in TX. The only places that are competitive are the magnate status hospitals, but even then they hire new grads for all areas.

Blackheartednurse · Oct 16, 2009

Time to move to TexaS!

prinsessa · Oct 16, 2009

I think it depends on where you live. I live in IL and have been looking for a job for over 6 months. If you can relocate you may want to think about doing so. Good luck!

ibme · Oct 16, 2009

It really depends where you live---apply early, work as a tech and NETWORK!!!

mag_new · Oct 16, 2009

here in texas it it pretty easy to get a job. I applied everywhere in san antonio, and all the places called me within the week and offered positions. In Corpus Christi, TX I had a friend not even finish filling out the application online and they called him for an interview. Maybe it's something thats happening in other states, but not here in TX. The only places that are competitive are the magnate status hospitals, but even then they hire new grads for all areas.

Hi Jmaverick101, can you tell me when did you apply for the jobs? I'm wondering how the job markets in Texas now. Here in NJ even the several nursing homes I went to are not hiring new graduates. By the end of year if I don't get a job here I have to move out of state.

proudtobeRN777 · Oct 21, 2009

i applied for 3 jobs last night and got 'not selected' msg from all 3 of them by 9 am this morning, :crying2: omg they r soooooo fast ...