Can't find a job

Nurses New Nurse

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I pased my NCLEX in October and it's been a month of applying to different nursing positions but no luck. Not even a rejection, nothing. Radio silence.

On top of that, I went to a job fair and got hired on spot. HR said they would give me a call the following week, but that never happened. They are ignoring my calls and emails for three weeks now. One time I spoke with someone on the phone I was told to be patient (the person was very rude and seemed annoyed).

Anyway, I applied at the hospital were I did my role transition and my preceptor said he would be glad to give me a references when I need it. So, I was thinking of calling him at work (i dont have any other contact info) but not sure if that is a good idea. I am not even sure what to ask or tell him.

I graduated magna cum laude, passed NCLEX in 75 questions but it means absolutely nothing if I don't have connections. I am just so confused, frustrated and desperate.

Any tips, suggestions welcome.

Thank you

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HR in hospitals take forever. It took me 4 months to get hired after I was offered the job on the spot.

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Specializes in PICU.

Congratulations on passing the NCLEX. DO you have the email of that preceptor? How did you communicate with that preceptor during your role transition? Take a look at programs that may have a January or February start date. When you apply, if he said you can use him as a reference, put his name down under your references. Passing in 75 questions means nothing that would make you a preferred candidate over another. What organizations care about is that you have a license. Nice job on the magna cum laude!

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I was told that, but here is what happened: they hired several nurses (one of them was my friend). That was on Saturday. On Monday, they gave her a call and officially hired her. When I didn't receive a call, I called them on Tuesday and was told that they had to put hiring on hold. On Wednesday, I received an email apologizing for a delay and telling us to expect a call on Thursday or Friday and also saying that new orientation group starts in December.

No phone calls on Thursday or Friday. I emailed, no response. I called and was told to be patient.

I am not sure if this is a regular practice of HR or I was just unlucky.

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Hey, thanks for the reply. I don't have his email. When he offered to be my reference, I asked for his contact info and he said: "they can call me here" (meaning the hospital). I know it doesnt mean much, it is just so frustrating and i am willing to work anywhere. I like ICU, but I would also accept med-surg and i also love mental health (thinking of becoming mental health NP).

I am in Chicago, btw.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

Congrats on passing the NCLEX. It usually takes longer than 1 month to get hired no matter where you live but some worse than others. What do you mean by you did your "role transition". I would definitely call your preceptor and let her/him know you will be using her/him as a reference, ay the same time I would ask it they are aware of any open positions, do they know any tips with HR etc, it cant hurt. Did you ever speak to the unit manager (at that same unit), maybe call NM also. Either way you are way too early to get discouraged. You just need to keep applying, networking etc. and you will eventually find something. Do some research re: resume tips, interview tips etc. so you will be ready when you do get that call. Not sure if you were just unlucky or if that is HR regular practice but a lot of HR's work that way, very slow. Just keep at it, you will get there!!

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Thank you. My role transition was my last clinical and I worked with this preceptor 40h/week for 4 weeks.

I am just hesitant to call him at the hospital because it is a long term acute setting and he usually handles 5 very sick patients. I spoke to the unit manager but she was leaving (she resigned and they were in the process of hiring someone new). I also applied for ICU unit at the same hospital and emailed nurse manager at ICU but my application is still "under review" since Nov 15.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.
Thank you. My role transition was my last clinical and I worked with this preceptor 40h/week for 4 weeks.

I am just hesitant to call him at the hospital because it is a long term acute setting and he usually handles 5 very sick patients. I spoke to the unit manager but she was leaving (she resigned and they were in the process of hiring someone new). I also applied for ICU unit at the same hospital and emailed nurse manager at ICU but my application is still "under review" since Nov 15.

I would not hesitate to call him because he told you that you could use him as a reference and to give that work number. It is always a good idea to let your references know that you are indeed using them as a reference (vs them getting a call from a manager out of the blue). Just say something like...thank you for the offer to use you for a reference, I am going to take you up on that and just wanted to let you know. If you know he is at work just keep the conversation short. Sounds like you still have a possibility at that hospital. Just keep looking and you will be fine!

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Specializes in Pedi.
Thank you. My role transition was my last clinical and I worked with this preceptor 40h/week for 4 weeks.

I am just hesitant to call him at the hospital because it is a long term acute setting and he usually handles 5 very sick patients. I spoke to the unit manager but she was leaving (she resigned and they were in the process of hiring someone new). I also applied for ICU unit at the same hospital and emailed nurse manager at ICU but my application is still "under review" since Nov 15.

November 15 was only 11 days ago and last week was a 3 day week for most managers/HR people. Not a lot of hiring happens around the holidays. One month is not a long time to be searching for a job.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
November 15 was only 11 days ago and last week was a 3 day week for most managers/HR people. Not a lot of hiring happens around the holidays. One month is not a long time to be searching for a job.

Agree. At this point, HR will by in slow-mo until January comes around.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
I don't have his email. When he offered to be my reference, I asked for his contact info and he said: "they can call me here" (meaning the hospital).

What number is it that this guy said you could put as his contact info for a reference? Is this just a phone somewhere on the unit, or does he have an office, or what is it?

I don't suggest providing him as a reference if the hiring person from some other company is going to be calling a random number on the nursing unit. If he doesn't have an individual office # to give you, he needs to provide either a personal # or an email address - both would be even better. He should know this already, too.

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I agree, I was bummed when he said they can call the unit, I am always here. First, he is not always there. Second, yeah the unit might not be the right number to call. I guess another reason i am hesitant to call him.

I have one references from a prof and another one from a CI. I guess I could find another one if I tried.

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