For those new grads who are employed, what's your method?

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What did you do to get your current job? Did you carry a positive mindset? Did you ignore the hundred of threads of "no jobs for new grads"? Basically, what's your secret?

I tried to stay mostly positive, but when I was feeling not so positive I vented about it rather than trying to pretend I wasn't feeling down, then got back to being positive.

I stopped counting how many positions I applied for but I topped 100 applications before I quit counting. I was somewhat picky in what I applied for initially and gradually opened up my search more.

I followed up with HR on my applications unless they told me not to call.

What got me my job was major networking though: I joined the professional organization for the field I was interested in, went to a chapter meeting, met other attendees and handed my resume to a couple of folks there. I got contacted a few weeks later about a position that was going to be posted, waited for the listing to go up and applied. Meanwhile I contacted a clinical instructor and my lecturer for tips on the process and found out they both knew people in the department I was looking at; they both offered to write me references and I took them up on their offer. I went to my interview prepared and reheorificed, asked questions and interacted with the patients when I shadowed and wrote thank you notes to everyone I met with or shadowed with. I was offered the job.

I feel very lucky and grateful- it's very much a dream job, and in addition to the networking a lot of things feel in to place to make it possible (having a clinical at that site, instructors knowing decision-makers, good grades in school from a good program, post graduation activities to keep myself busy, previous interviews to have practice polishing my answers, this position being available and the department being wiling to look at new grads, etc).

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Specializes in ED.

As others have said, it all comes down to networking, one way or another. For me, with no prior health care experience, it was all about that last quarter of school which was mostly clinicals. I made them love me.

I told them I wanted to be there and nowhere else (and meant it - I LOVE my peeps and the company for which I work).

The first staff nurse to leave the ED, the made that position into a Residency just for me. Not bragging or anything - just sayin' - network and show your stuff in some on-the-job manner so that they know you aren't a flake.

DC, ED NOC RN ADN

Abbreviations R Us :)

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Just a quick comment.

I don't appreciate some of you saying that the" no hiring new grad" threads are BS.

The situation is different for everybody and people post here for support and encouragement. Often, it just helps to hear that others are in the same boat.

Thank you!!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

You've obviously taken what I said "BS"...in the wrong context, so let me elaborate. Yes, it is true that new grads (and everyone else) are facing difficult times. However, if you choose to get caught up in all the negativity, you will surely find it even harder. As I, and others have pointed out, there are ways of getting hired, even if it may take some time. You do what you have to do, and try to be as positive as you can about your situation. Personally, if I had wanted to believe all the negativity, I would have been lying in a ditch years ago. Not an option. Good luck to all of you :)

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Think about relocating for a year to a rural hospital. I work in an ER , med surg. Unit in a small rural hospital. We hired 3 new grads this year from out of state. We have a grow your own philosophy and provide an incredible scholarship to nursing students who give back 3 years after graduating. Think small, small town that is.

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Specializes in Public Health Nurse.

what a wonderful idea. i will apply this when i am ready.

i have one year and a half to go then get ready for my boards. i am currently working full time and going to school part time for nursing. i will graduate with an associate's but i am planning to directly go into the bsn program . i have only more class of pre-requisite to go (statistics ugh) before i can even apply for the bsn program at my school, and i plan to take this class after i graduate with the adn (maybe naively so) at the same time that i am getting ready to pass my boards. once passing both statistic and boards, start right away on my bsn. i would very much like to work as an rn while going for my bsn.

if any of you have any suggestions that i can work on now while in school, it would be appreciated. i heard from my advisor that getting a reference letter from your clinical instructors is a must.

i am 47 and will be 48 when i graduate, i have not children and single (and yes work on losing weight as i know that physical presentation in nursing is important aside from healthy). would like to stay in south florida because of my parents, but if i have to relocate i have already put it in my mind that i will have to do what i have to do. i have a positive attitude and i think by the time i graduate things will be better for us new grads (gee, it sounds as if i am applying right now...lol).

anyway, i am paying close attention to any ideas any of you may have to get me better prepared.

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Has anyone had any luck getting hired by applying to job postings that clearly say "experience required"?

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