Finding a Job- New Grad

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How long did it take to get your first job after graduation/passing the NCLEX? I graduated in March and recently got my license. I have talked a couple of hospital recruiters who have informed me that they are only hiring internally.... Before I started school (over two years ago) I expected to have a job lined up before I graduated. Now I realize how far off this idea was... We used to have a hospital sign up the RN students in the last semester but they no longer do this. It seems to be really tough out there.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

it did not take me long but that is because i was hired when the market just turned bad!!!! in fact, most of my classmates were the very last class to be recruited and hired for ft positions by the local hospitals... the rest still have not worked as a nurse and we are going on two years!!! others after my class are either out of work as well or being hired to pt positions. the new grads in pt positions are given longer orientations to cover the lack of hours they work and to keep costs down. thus most new grads are out of work in my area and the hospitals no longer recruit nursing students.

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Specializes in ED.

took me a WHILE. I graduated in May 2009

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I graduated just after the market went south...it took me 3 months.

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I'm an LPN as of May 09. Due to family needs, vacation, holidays and a long snowy winter I did not start job search until Jan 2010. Had 3 calls and 2 interviews but have not landed a job yet.

Good Luck

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hi...it may take a bit to land a job, but keep your head up. I graduated last sept (2009) took my boards in decemeber, and have just been offered a job! i decided to relocate in jan from boston, so i started seriously sending out apps in march when i received my endorsement license in arizona...i couldnt get anyone to look at my application in arizona until i paid to get a license here. i had a few interviews-some terrible, others great, but was getting down my the beginning of may at not landing a job. I took one week and went to www.indeed.com every few hours and seriously submitted like 100 applications. I bombarded the same hospitals, and uploaded anything i possibly could to the applications to get noticed-ex, recommendations from clinicals or instructors, transcripts and worked really hard on a cover letter that said more about me then my resume could. sell yourself as much as you can in your cover letter so that you stick out from the rest. YOU will find a job, and you will get the one that is right for you in time. good luck...and check out www.indeed.com to find the latest job postings from a variety of organizations. don't be afraid to apply to ANY that say experience PREFERRED.

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cait2282

I have been wanting someone to critique my resume and cover letter. It sounds like you feel good about yours if I send you a copy of mine with identifying info removed would you be open to critiquing it?

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definitely...send it over. [email protected]

make sure you throw in some projects or experiences you took part in during nursing school. If you want i can send mine to you...just to get an idea. I wanted to get across that i had hospital experience even tho i am a new grad, worked well in a group atmosphere and was proactive regarding patient teaching. let me know if u want mine and i will def read over yours.

i know it helps to get opinions and advice, which really helped me, so any assistance i can be let me know. i was getting a bit depressed at my situation, but i must say...everything happens for a reason because i am starting at an awesome hospital, where the staff are eager to be preceptors and the manager is very supportive. it was def worth the wait!

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Specializes in NICU.

I graduated in Dec '09 and haven't landed anything yet, but it's mainly due to the area I'm in. I'm in the northeast, and there isn't much up here if you don't know someone. I finally applied for a few positions in Oklahama a few days ago and received a call from the nurse recruiter one day later, haven't interviewed yet, but at least I got a call. It's only the second one I've gotten, and I've submitted close to 200 aps.

If you have any possible chance of being able to relocate, even for a year, it might be your best bet. I have a husband and toddler that can not relocate with me at this point, but if I get a position I'm going to try to just fly out, work my shifts in a row, then fly back home for a few days....then repeat. I get tired just thinking about it, but we all have to do what we have to do.

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It took me six months. Classmates that got hired soonest: a) had applied to the floors where they did their senior practicums, b) signed agreements with the hospital for loan money in return for certain number of years of working, c) had family connections.

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Specializes in NICU, previously Mother baby.

It was one month after graduation when I found out I got my job. Most of my classmates found jobs pretty easily here in the Midwest. That was last August/September, so I'm not sure how the job market is currently.

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.

Passed NCLEX on Nov 09, got LTC job on March 2010. It's not my dream job but at least I got one after sending over 100 applications and calling all facilities and nurse recruiters listed in the telephone directory in my area. The facility I am in was my first choice, so when they offered me the job, I took it. Sucks that after I took the job, calls from different places I submitted my application started calling me. What a bummer! LOL

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