first year... no job...

jordangregory · Nov 18, 2008

location, location, location. there are many areas in the us where they will hire someone with an associate degree and pay for their bsn. no experience necessary. here in dayton, oh. hospitals are even willing to put new nurses with no experience though a 6 month paid internship.

amjowens · Nov 20, 2008

That's so true about location. Even within states, the job climate can be dramatically different depending on location. I'm in Toledo, OH, and some grads (me included) are seriously considering getting licensed in Michigan so that we can get a job! There's so many schools in Toledo (and, I hear the same is going on in Columbus) that there's too many new nurses for positions. The economy (low census seen in precepting and clinicals) probably isn't helping. But, it sounds that Dayton, also in OH, is good for new grads.

I know the question is about NYC, but just a point regarding relatively close location, yet very different opportunities. I'd consider surrounding areas, those outside NYC. At least you could get experience, then apply, or come back when conditions improve.

I'm really wondering about this "nursing shortage". Not buying it to be as massive as often portrayed. Or, maybe the anticipated nurse retirees aren't retiring because of economic/stock losses or something. I know my aunt, who's a public health nurse, was planning to retire, but in latest note to my mom, is now choosing to work a few more years to make up for stock market losses.

BISN08 · Nov 21, 2008

Can't agree more. Relocating for me at leats for now is out of questions. I noticed that there few agencies that help finding a job and often they do. I was offered temp position in medium size clinic. Obviously, no benefits and they get part of my paycheck. So, why it is impossible for me to get the same job? I know the answer, still it is not fair at all. WE SPENT ALL THIS TIME GOING TO SCHOOL, THEN GETTING THROUGH NCLEX NIGHTMARE AND NOW SOMEONE ELSE MAKES MONEY ON OUR ACCOUNT! Any ways, thanks to everyone for good words and help.

lanxin · Nov 21, 2008

I agree. I am also from toledo, OH. I guess there are too many nursing school here, its very difficult to find a job. most of places wants nurses with more experience, but how can we have experience if we cant find a job.

truejewel82 · Nov 26, 2008

I'm kinda in the same boat....I finally passed my boards and starting applying to different hospitals and I also have a hard time getting into any hospitals in NYC...one interviewer told me I've been out of school for almost a year and no one will really consider hiring me becuase my clinical skills are rusty :cry: .... clinical skills??? they always told me in school just to get through exams and then I will get the training on the job....uggggghhh I just want to be a nurse help ...........

lanxin · Nov 26, 2008

truejewel82, Dont listen to the stupid interviewer, I still think it depends on the location. Most of the hospital will train you as much as you need, and they normally have a really good orientention. In Toledo, OH so hard to find a job, b/c nobody wants to leave this place. I am going to have consider moving somewhere else, I think lots of the other places are hiring, so keep your hopes up, and I know we are going to find the JOB!:)

Zordon · Nov 26, 2008

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I got my license in August 2008, and I graduated in June 2007 in California. I had some problems taking my NCLEX, and finally passed it on the third try. I'm going to all these new grad job fairs, and it's like I'm worth lower than all those that just graduated. Now that I'm applying for a job, I'm getting the same responses, like your clinical skills are rusty, and I've even gotten a response from a hospital saying they only want RNs that passed their NCLEX on the first try. That's on top of most hospitals asking for 1 year job experience. So it's almost December, and I'm still looking to land my first job.

So I feel you OP, it's killing me, but all I can do is keep applying... I've got a new list of hospitals to work with. I'm pretty much leaving my 50 mile radius and going farther and seeing what jobs I can land. Good luck to both of us, cuz this really sucks.

dreamon · Nov 26, 2008

Maybe try going a bit farther north of NYC? Westchester, Yonkers, Mt. Vernon? If you don't have a car or don't want to drive MetroNorth can take you many places and you should be able to get to a hospital that way.

Another thing, lots of NYC dwellers take Amtrak everyday to work- Amtrak goes farther than MetroNorth and you'll be able to relax to and from work in the cushioned seats.

highlandlass1592, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

Now that all license issues are over its time to find a job. wondering is it as difficult in all other states as it is in NYC? So far I have applied to every hospital, almost every home care agency, even some pharmaceutical companies, etc. Everyone asks experience and most- BSN. I have ASN and was thinking about going for BSN after at least get my first job and maybe have my employer cover education expenses, but where is my first employer? Even if i get a job in home care or rehab, none of NYC hospitals consider this as experience. I do not think there is a problem with my resume as it was done professionally. Over all- its really frustrating! Guys, any word of advice?
Thanks.

Have you looked into facilities that are hiring travelers? They may be more willing to give a new grad a job. Also, have you looked into facilities to see if they offer like an internship for a particular area? Some areas are so tight financially that they aren't expanding their nursing staff like they thought they would. They are hanging on for dear life, so to speak. I'd hang in there, start networking with other nurses when you can...in many places,due to the economy nursing jobs are tight. Oh, just thought of something: have you looked to see if your state has a jobs bank posting area? In Michigan, they have a database where facilities post their jobs....you can post a resume ther as well. That was how I got my last job, I had posted my resume and I was recruited. Hope this gives you some ideas. Good luck.

highlandlass1592, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I got my license in August 2008, and I graduated in June 2007 in California. I had some problems taking my NCLEX, and finally passed it on the third try. I'm going to all these new grad job fairs, and it's like I'm worth lower than all those that just graduated. Now that I'm applying for a job, I'm getting the same responses, like your clinical skills are rusty, and I've even gotten a response from a hospital saying they only want RNs that passed their NCLEX on the first try. That's on top of most hospitals asking for 1 year job experience. So it's almost December, and I'm still looking to land my first job.
So I feel you OP, it's killing me, but all I can do is keep applying... I've got a new list of hospitals to work with. I'm pretty much leaving my 50 mile radius and going farther and seeing what jobs I can land. Good luck to both of us, cuz this really sucks.

Problem I've read in So Cal is the financial situation. I know many facilities are cancelling travel contracts due to low census. Hang in there, something should come up. Keep networking, going to those job fairs, also check your states unemployment office for positions they may have listed. May give you some ideas.

Zordon · Nov 26, 2008

Problem I've read in So Cal is the financial situation. I know many facilities are cancelling travel contracts due to low census. Hang in there, something should come up. Keep networking, going to those job fairs, also check your states unemployment office for positions they may have listed. May give you some ideas.

Yea, that's what I'm planning on doing, with my job search radius getting larger and larger. It's just frustrating because a year ago, all my friends were passing their test and landing jobs left and right... These 4 months of searching for a job have really been getting me down. But I feel ya on how I shouldn't give up.