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.

Graduated and passed NCLEX in April of this year; although, my license did not become active till mid-May. I am starting as a RN Case Manager for a Hospice company this Monday. The hospitals are not really hiring right now, but I had several offers from different Hospice companies. This may sound funny, but I actually used the resume section on Craigslist.com to advertise myself. The company I accepted the job offer from found me on Craigslist. I never thought of going into Hospice before this (I think it's more because Hospice was not covered much in school), but I feel as if this will be a perfect fit for me. Plus, the management team started as New Grads in Hospice and are very supportive of training and educating me.

In this market you have to be very pro-active. After my interviews I would send 'thank-you' cards and follow-up with phone calls. Upon talking to HR yesterday, the lady told me "It's 10% skill, 90% attitude and confidence." Skills are techniques that can be mastered over time. With attitude, youu have it or you dont.

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Yes, depending on where you are it is still pretty tough out there for new grads. I live in the Boston area and I got out of school in May 09. I worked in a local hospital through school in the ED. I also have over 20 yrs experience as an aide. I didn't get hired internally at my hospital till this April! It took 8 months. But I am soooo grateful. I had honestly looked ALL OVER the US!! and it was the same everywhere. Very very limited if any jobs for new grads.

People kept telling me to hang in there. It really gets frustrating but all you can do is keep on plugging away on the computer etc. But I will say this. Every couple of days you have to step away for a while and not search. You will drive your self crazy if you do it EVERY DAY for weeks on end. Give yourself a break, and realize most of all, that you are not ALONE. There are many new grads out there in your shoes. That's what saved my sanity!!.

And when you do get a job, you will be SO..... GRATEFUL.. as I am. It will HAPPEN.

HAVE FAITH and stay strong!! Good Luck :nurse:

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I could use some encouragement out there. I'm an RN in NY (Long Island area). I graduated back in May 2009. I had to take the boards 3 times before I passed. I got my license finally in December 2009. And have been applying to every hospital that has a position posted. My friends all got jobs because they had relatives or really close family friends in the hospital. What about the new RNs that don't know anyone because they are the first RN in the family? I am at a lose of what to do? Any suggestions I've been out of school for a year now, still no hits, nobody responds to my resume/applications & if you call HR they just say if the rucruiter is interested they call you, you can't contact them. Its fustrating more than anything. I do not have health insurance (i'm playing the risky game at the moment b/c I cannot afford it), I have to pay monthly tuition loans back & money is really tight. I only work part time as an office manager (the job I had while in school, still have it). I never thought becoming a nurse, it would be this hard to find employment. PLEASE HELP!!!

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