Frustrated New Grad

Specialties Emergency

Published

I have decided that I wanted to become an emergency nurse d/t being a trauma pt 3 1/2 yrs ago :heartbeat. After the recovery I finished all the science classes and got into nursing school. During nursing school I did everything I could to get the best grades and experiences. Graduated with BSN with honors, have BLS, ACLS, PALS certifications, worked as an RN intern in a local ED, where I also did my preceptorship. Wasn't able to get hired there due to the hire freeze in the hospital. I am now going to start a master's program in critical care/trauma this fall.

There are no new grad ED positions in NoCal and even if one pops up, there are 200 applicants jumping on it, and the position is probably given to someone who's been doing their internship there.

Now I feel like all the work I've done was for nothing, because I can't find a job.

I would really appreciate any feedback or insight into what to do.

Thank you :bowingpur

Specializes in Emergency, Critical Care Transport.

Natalyk,

I've seen some of your posts, and I totally understand how frustrating it is. Northern Cali is insanely difficult for jobs. I was a MEPN and headed to SoCal for a job (coming back up in a few years). The CCT program you got into is phenomenal, so I definitely understand wanting to stay around.

Try West Contra Costa hospital. I have a friend who was just hired as a new grad per diem in their ED. You might want to give it a shot, and that would fit well with your school schedule.

http://www.wcchd.ca.gov/index.htm

Hope that helps. :)

Volunteer EMT-B is no help at all getting hired in NJ. It gets me out of the house and keeps me semi-sane and I love my fellow crew members, but you really do so very much less than a nurse or paramedic does and many of the nurses and paramedics don't respect EMT-Bs, having seen so many dumb ones ... or we bring in dumb patients ... and it carries over.

Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

I feel your frustration! I lived in the Northeast all of my life, graduated NS in 2007, and probably sent out 150 applications in 2 states, and all I got was two PRN jobs in M/S and LTC, neither of which was the area I really wanted, ED.

I had to relocate, leaving family and friends behind, which was tough. But I got into a great "ED school" in NC that was for new grads and RN's looking to get into the ED. It was 6 months long, combination of classroom and dept shifts the first 3 months, then with a preceptor for the last 3 months. It was very helpful and a great experience. I've since left that hospital and in a smaller ED (they had just opened a new ED the place I trained at, over 75 bed ED and not nearly enough RN's!) and as much as it pained me to move, I don't have any regrets.

I hope you can figure out or find something soon!

Specializes in Critical Care/Trauma and a new PMHNP-BC.
I feel your frustration! I lived in the Northeast all of my life, graduated NS in 2007, and probably sent out 150 applications in 2 states, and all I got was two PRN jobs in M/S and LTC, neither of which was the area I really wanted, ED.

I had to relocate, leaving family and friends behind, which was tough. But I got into a great "ED school" in NC that was for new grads and RN's looking to get into the ED. It was 6 months long, combination of classroom and dept shifts the first 3 months, then with a preceptor for the last 3 months. It was very helpful and a great experience. I've since left that hospital and in a smaller ED (they had just opened a new ED the place I trained at, over 75 bed ED and not nearly enough RN's!) and as much as it pained me to move, I don't have any regrets.

I hope you can figure out or find something soon!

Thank you for the encouragement :) I know that I am not alone :)

What's an "ED school?" Did you have to pay for it? How did it work? Also, what state is it in?

What is going on here?????

Similar story in Illinois. I graduated with a BSN with honors from a reputable school. I've been a paramedic for 6 years, worked as an ER tech for 2 years, have ACLS, PALS, CPR and I still can't find a job. I wanted to start in an ER and figured it would be no problem. It has gotten to the point where I have started applying for med-surg jobs (which I really don't want) and even those job postings seem to want experienced RNs. What is even more annoying is when I tell people I am having trouble finding a job in nursing, they look at me like I am crazy....

So frustrating!!!!

There was just a posting for an ED nurse at Magee hospital in Pittsburgh if anyone wants to relocate?

Just a quick FYI, most home care agencies don't want to hire new grad nurses, either. At least not here in the NJ/Philly area. They want at least 1 year of experience.

What is going on here?????

Similar story in Illinois. I graduated with a BSN with honors from a reputable school. I've been a paramedic for 6 years, worked as an ER tech for 2 years, have ACLS, PALS, CPR and I still can't find a job. I wanted to start in an ER and figured it would be no problem. It has gotten to the point where I have started applying for med-surg jobs (which I really don't want) and even those job postings seem to want experienced RNs. What is even more annoying is when I tell people I am having trouble finding a job in nursing, they look at me like I am crazy....

So frustrating!!!!

Man, it must be really dried up there. Are you in Chicago? Have you tried Sinai? I know several new grads who worked at their ED. It's a MADHOUSE, but it's a start and you'd see a lot of. . .interesting stuff.

Of course, they started before the economy tanked.

Specializes in Critical Care/Trauma and a new PMHNP-BC.

I am ready to scream. I finally landed an interview with an rural hospital, in their ED... The hospital is in a middle of nowhere. Did great. Both women who interviewed me decided right away that they wanted me. I was told by the HR that I am getting an offer letter and they are working on it. They said that it will be ready within one week.

Today is one week since the interview. I am getting a phone call from the recruiting agency that I was going through, that the hospital can't give me the offer letter because I don't have experience. I have to go through a new grad program that is starting in January.

They knew that I had experience only as an RN intern before the interview and everyone (including the recruiting agency and the women who interviewed me) were positive that it's not a problem.

Now here I am... after two jobs that "I had", I am still jobless... :Crash:

Specializes in Emergency.

Nataly, can you private message me? Apparently I have not posted enough to send private messages, but I was in a lot of ways in your situation and would love to speak with you more!

Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.

Wait, Nataly, does this mean they'll take you as a new grad in January? I'm a little confused?

Specializes in Critical Care/Trauma and a new PMHNP-BC.

Mike,

After a long back and forth with this hospital I am currently waiting for them to send me the offer letter so I can start in January. So, the answer to your questions is YES, but not yet in writing.

+ Add a Comment