fed up- cant get a job

underpaidrn · Oct 8, 2007

So sorry you are having a rough time of it. In hindsight, perhaps taking the summer off was not such a good choice. The employers may look negatively on this. Are you able to relocate? What about long term care for a short period of time to get yourself established? Does home health interest you? Keep trying and putting out as many resumes to different employers as possible. Good luck and I wish you the best.

bubbly · Oct 8, 2007

Unfortunately, a lot of hospitals tend to hire new grads in waves, usually near May or December graduation time. This is due to the amount of training and cost involved for new grads and that it is easier to train all the new grads at one time since most of the new grads take the same orientation classes. You can try going to more career fairs (I always found it easier and more successful to talk directly to the recruiters) or waiting it out to the next wave of new grad hires near the fall graduation. Good luck and I really hope you can land that first nursing job soon! :)

HealthyRN · Oct 9, 2007

What types of nursing positions are you applying to? If you are applying to speciality units only, that may be part of the problem. The speciality units have probably taken on all the new grads that they can handle. Be open to working med-surg and also a variety of shifts. Good luck!

smile123 · Oct 9, 2007

hello all. im just at my wits end. I have gone through 4 long years of school, studied and (thank god) passed the NCLEX my first time, but now i have another blockade. i cant get a job. not only can i not get a job, i cant even get an interview. i decided to take the summer of and relax, but this has turned out to be disastrous since every hospital i have applied to has already hired their new grads. I have a pretty strong resume and have sent my application to nearly 15 hospitals. i ahve been waiting for some sort of reply from anywhere but havent heard a peep. today i spent all day trying to call the recruiters of the hospitals or talk to HR to see the status. most times i get the same stuff-we'll contact you if we want you. and most places say not to bother coming in just give application via fax or email. i dont know what to do. please help. thanks

What state and city are you in? As a new grad, there are programs for newly minted RN's but as other posters have stated, they are only offered 2 to 3 times a year, generally in October, Feb and July. So instead of getting frustrated, apply for the next new grad class. They are interviewing NOW for the Feb class. Go online and look for new grad programs.

Could you also explain what you mean by "pretty strong resume"? Do you have a ADN or BSN? Can you leverage your school's alumni network? Where are you applying? Speciality or med/surg units in hospitals? You'll have an easier time applying to a med/surg unit. Are you flexible? Are you willing to work rotating day/night shifts? Or nights? If you give us a little more information, the group may be able to help you further. Good luck.

MIgirly · Oct 9, 2007

I found that going through an agency is a huge help. they have a better idea of where you would fit in and can get your resume in a higher position that just HR.

essaboz · Oct 10, 2007

we are in the same situation I am having difficulty to find a job.. I just can't give up...

coogar · Oct 10, 2007

Im in morristown NJ. I am applying to every hospital in a 40 mile radius. i want med-surg but will take ICU, tele, or critical care. ive already applied to all those new grad programs and im a BSN. oh, and ive tried all those agencies. they always say they only hire ppl with 1 yr experience, which is what i hear from EVERYONE!

Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 11, 2007

I feel your pain. I'm in a bit of a different boat... except for the last two years of psych nursing, I've been out of clinical for some forteen years.

I've taken a refresher course, many CEU's, etc., and am getting the same answer: "We need RN's with recent acute care experience" and NO ONE is hiring new grads in my region... NO ONE.

Went to a job fair today, looked SO out of place in my slacks and sport coat. Made a GREAT impression on the nurse manager, till she discovered my lack of recent experience and no amount of explanation of my current applicable skills sufficed. I was summarily dismissed somewhat coldly as if wasting her time. Maybe I was.

I would say take ANY job you can if you NEED a job, but try and get into med/surg ASAP, even if only "per diem." Once you've got that experience, you're "in." Just don't make the same mistake I did in leaving acute care as once you do, it may be impossible to get back in!!!

Suninmyheart · Oct 11, 2007

:uhoh21:This is quite a serious issue this year. I am hearing from recruiters that they have experienced a huge wave of graduates this year compared to last year and that the jobs are VERY competitive. So now we not only have a bottleneck at the educational level with a shortage of teachers but we also have a bottleneck at hospitals with only so many spots for new grads. The shortage is with experienced nurses.

I too have not gotten an interview yet. The recruiters are like a moat with the hospital being the castle. I am now playing detective and calling units to get nurse managers names and personally hand-delivering my resume and letters of rec. hoping to make some kind of an impact.

Sigh - I did get an interview for charging a mobile blood unit with a great salary and literally 5 months training. But that would close many doors.

So you are not alone in this.

Please keep the suggestions and words of wisom coming. We need your support.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 11, 2007

While you're waiting to find a paying job ...

1. Become actively involved in a local nursing organization where you will meet nurses (and nursing leaders) who work in the areas that interest you. For example, are you a member of Sigma Theta Tau ... or a local specialty organization? Go to the meetings and meet people. Tell them of your desire for a job. One of the people you meet may be able to hook you up.

2. Attend local nursing conferences. This is another way to meet people who can help you.

3. Do some volunteer work. Again, you will demonstrate your interest in working and you may meet some people who can help you.

4. Add all of these things to your resume -- but remember that the real reason you are going to these things is to meet local nursing leaders who can give you good advice about your local job market and perhaps, help you arrange an interview. So don't sit in the back and keep quiet. Meet people. Ask questions. Tell them of your situation. etc.

Good luck, everybody!

Miriam57RN · Oct 11, 2007

Im in morristown NJ. I am applying to every hospital in a 40 mile radius. i want med-surg but will take ICU, tele, or critical care. ive already applied to all those new grad programs and im a BSN. oh, and ive tried all those agencies. they always say they only hire ppl with 1 yr experience, which is what i hear from EVERYONE!

Hi cooger - I know where Morristown is - you're not too far from the city. Have you considered looking at hospitals in Manhattan?