Finding a job after graduating 2 years ago.

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Hello everyone,

So my situation was a little complicated after graduation but its finally working out in the right direction. I graduated 2.5 years ago with a BSN in a second degree accelerated program. Had great grades and was generally a good student (3.89 GPA) but wasn't able to work due to immigration issues. Finally got that worked out and got my documents necessary for work this week and now finding a job after being out the industry for so long has me feeling like I forgot a lot of things and a little terrified of an interview process and their questions.

I'm not really worried about the job itself because I'm sure the orientation will get me more comfortable and accustomed to the skills and knowledge I once had plus a lot more. I'm more worried about scoring the job especially that I would like to start in ICU. Well my question here is to ask everyone here their thoughts on what I should do--I really would like to read something to refresh my mind of important things. I asked friends and they said they wouldn't bother reading any patho or anatomy books but does anyone know of a good refresher general book that's not 500 pages just to get me a little more confident in myself for any upcoming interviews.

Also, does anyone know of hospitals where graduate students were successful landing an ICU position in the NYC area?

Looking forward to some responses,

Danny

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well, first you scared me , when you said it was 2.5 yeard since graduation. But your reasons are quite understandable. I am very happy for you that everything worked out.

As far as , refreshing please forget about it. We all get through and learn from orientation and the actual floor. However, its good to read a little something. Becuase Sometimes you might be asked about little stuff on the interview. I was asked to do care plan for HTN pt, also skills like IV set up, or trach set up is good to know. With all that being said , my best book of refrence is those little books of RN NOTES and MED/SURGE NOTES!! They are perfect little books that stays in my bag all the time.

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have you checked into a refresher course?

most places are apprehensive to hire you because you have gone so long without employment from graduation. its easy to lose skills and forget things. you may have to settle for a floor position and work your way into an icu after you have some proven floor experience

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Hello everyone,

So my situation was a little complicated after graduation but its finally working out in the right direction. I graduated 2.5 years ago with a BSN in a second degree accelerated program. Had great grades and was generally a good student (3.89 GPA) but wasn't able to work due to immigration issues. Finally got that worked out and got my documents necessary for work this week and now finding a job after being out the industry for so long has me feeling like I forgot a lot of things and a little terrified of an interview process and their questions.

I'm not really worried about the job itself because I'm sure the orientation will get me more comfortable and accustomed to the skills and knowledge I once had plus a lot more. I'm more worried about scoring the job especially that I would like to start in ICU. Well my question here is to ask everyone here their thoughts on what I should do--I really would like to read something to refresh my mind of important things. I asked friends and they said they wouldn't bother reading any patho or anatomy books but does anyone know of a good refresher general book that's not 500 pages just to get me a little more confident in myself for any upcoming interviews.

Also, does anyone know of hospitals where graduate students were successful landing an ICU position in the NYC area?

Looking forward to some responses,

Danny

I think most recruiters will definitely ask about the time gap between graduation and job searching. If you do search on this board about nurses looking for jobs in NYC, you will find that many nurses are having trouble finding jobs there, even experienced ones.

I graduated over a year ago, and haven't been able to land an acute care position due to the economy, but have been working in long term care since that's the only job I could get. Yet, most nurse recruiters that I've talked to in NYC have told me they prefer acute care experience, and I'm no longer considered a 'new grad', for some internship programs. Lots of recent grads are having trouble finding jobs in NYC, and for ICU, I have always seen that they require experience.

I think you should just apply for any position you could get at this point to get some experience. Good luck in your search.

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Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to start sending out the resumes to everywhere tomorrow and be flexible to positions I guess. I will keep you guys updated on changes.

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Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to start sending out the resumes to everywhere tomorrow and be flexible to positions I guess. I will keep you guys updated on changes.

be sure to send a cover letter tailored to the place you are applying to. with so many people sending out blanket resumes, a cover letter is something that can make you stand out. you can also explain your employment gap if you want

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So I got that med-surg RN Notes book. Very helpful and concise so thank you for recommending that; it has helped me remember many things. I applied over the weekend to practically every hospital in 4/5 boroughs. There are not many med/surg positions available on the hospital websites so I applied for positions I'm not eligible to just so they can get my resume some how and I mention that I'm open to position suggestions that they feel may suit me. It has only been 2 days but for some reason I'm anxious I will not get any calls; I have a friend who applied recently and didn't get any calls back and had to get a job through a friends recommendation to the nurse manager.

How long would you say is an appropriate time to let them look over the resume and then start calling them directly to ask if they have received it and looked it over yet? Its interesting how the market for nursing positions has shifted so quickly or at least that is what I am hearing. Its also interesting to see so many med/surg positions requiring 1 year previous experience--Its almost like where am I supposed to start if I don't match the requirements for that.

Thanks,

Daniel

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I am in the same boat as you. I graduated from Excelsior College with an AS last December. I am a chiropractor with ten years clinical experience and I am looking for my first RN position in the NYC area. I only just took and passed my NCLEX. Working full time close to 50 hours a week in my practice made it difficult to really hunker down and take the exam, but I spent my summer working towards taking the NCLEX and I passed on the first try.

It is tough, but I am hopeful that SOMETHING will come together soon. Fortunately I have friends and colleagues in hospitals who may be of help in getting me employed. Plus I still have my chiropractic practice to keep my busy (and paid) while I am searching for RN work.

I know what I am up against, having been trained via a distance learning program, but I am confident that we will both end up hired. Good luck sir, only the best for all of us.

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I pray you see this post... I am in that same boat. I am 52 and graduated as a Practical Nurse in 1999. I did not sit for my boards either. I did work at the time as a PIP in the Brain Injury and Rehab departments of the hospital I was doing my clinicals in however a friend of mine started a company which I became involved in and years later with this economy it is no longer. I need to refresh so I can take my boards. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I want this more than I could ever express, but I do need help getting on the right track.

Thank you, and God bless

Karen

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
I pray you see this post... I am in that same boat. I am 52 and graduated as a Practical Nurse in 1999. I did not sit for my boards either. I need to refresh so I can take my boards. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I want this more than I could ever express, but I do need help getting on the right track.

You might want to try the NCLEX forum for further information and support. https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/

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Thank you so very much!

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Hello everyone,

So my situation was a little complicated after graduation but its finally working out in the right direction. I graduated 2.5 years ago with a BSN in a second degree accelerated program. Had great grades and was generally a good student (3.89 GPA) but wasn't able to work due to immigration issues. Finally got that worked out and got my documents necessary for work this week and now finding a job after being out the industry for so long has me feeling like I forgot a lot of things and a little terrified of an interview process and their questions.

I'm not really worried about the job itself because I'm sure the orientation will get me more comfortable and accustomed to the skills and knowledge I once had plus a lot more. I'm more worried about scoring the job especially that I would like to start in ICU. Well my question here is to ask everyone here their thoughts on what I should do--I really would like to read something to refresh my mind of important things. I asked friends and they said they wouldn't bother reading any patho or anatomy books but does anyone know of a good refresher general book that's not 500 pages just to get me a little more confident in myself for any upcoming interviews.

Also, does anyone know of hospitals where graduate students were successful landing an ICU position in the NYC area?

Looking forward to some responses,

Danny

There are nurse refresher courses at Jr colleges, and CE courses, I'd start there. Good luck!

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