I graduated in May this year and received my license in June. I was so excited feeling like I was beginning an entirely new journey. My excitment is gone now and all that remains is utter frustration!!
I can't even count how many positions I have put in for. Out of all of them, only two have even been forwarded for manager review. None have resulted in even a phone call or email let alone an interview (I haven't even gotten confirmation emails from one hospital stating that they've received my applications)! Most of the time I'm told that the hospital is considering other candidates, but sometimes I'm told I'm not qualified. I am very good about reading the qualifications so that I don't apply for a position that I'm not qualified for. It seems as though hospitals are looking for mainly experienced nurses, which I understand (it isn't like I'm applying for highly specialized areas... I WANT med/surg to begin with).
Some (not many... three that I can think of right now... from a graduating class of 144) of my friends from RN school have already gotten positions because they either had CNA experience (understandable) or they (their words) "knew someone".
I'm getting so frustrated with the red tape and not even getting any responses back from these places that I'm on the verge of working at Lowe's and calling it good for a while... I do NOT want to do that, but my husband recently retired from the military and we only have TWO full paychecks left before we lose half our pay... we have a mortgage, car payments... all the normal bills. Neither of us even qualifies for unemployment, so I have NO idea what we're going to do here.
I've revamped my resume and I'm picking up a letter of recommendation from a prof tomorrow. I will also be going directly into human resource departments at two of the hospitals that I have applied at to drop off my resume and ask which positions I AM qualified for. Is there anything else I should do??? Would volunteering at a local hospital help? I'll obviously get NO nursing experience from that, but I can't think of anything else to do.
Our instructors did talk about the shortage in school, but they didn't try to sugar coat the economy and the effects that might have on us finding jobs, but I had no idea that the shortage is only in experienced areas.
If anyone has any tips or advice, I welcome it!
FYI... I live in southern Georgia but I am licensed in Florida (more hospitals... I thought it would provide more opportunities for me since we only have one local hospital up here), and I can't even apply for a Georgia endorsement until I have worked in FL for three months (GA state law).
Your story illustrates what a disservice to nurses to keep them from working as nursing assistants when no one will hire them as nurses. My state allows this practice, it is up to the indivudual employers to set the rules for their organization. At least some will hire nurses as nursing assistants. Best wishes.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Went and picked up the letter from my prof today and dropped it and a copy of my resume at a major local health system. I get the feeling that it probably won't help much because most of the positions are specialized, but we'll see. Will be dropping them off at another hospital this week.
I get the vibe that you're only applying at hospitals because that's all you mention as far as potential workplaces are concerned. Since it seems that everybody and their mothers want to work at hospitals, you are going to encounter fierce competition when attempting to get hired at one.
Have you looked into non-hospital employment yet? There are probably nursing homes, clinics, doctors' offices, assisted living facilities, dialysis centers, urgent cares, home health agencies, private duty cases, psychiatric hospitals, group homes, jails, prisons, schools, and rehab centers in your area that would hire new grad RNs. I am aware that you probably do not want to start your nursing career at a setting outside the hospital, but beggars cannot be choosers. Good luck to you!
The hospitals were just the areas I focused on yesterday. I am exploring every opportunity I can think of. Part of the issue is that in our area many of the doctor's offices are affiliated with hospitals and do all of their hiring through hospital job boards. The few that don't either aren't hiring or are looking for NPs. Just did a search on a major national health system board in three different states... came back with 14 openings in total throughout all three states, and not all of them were RN positions. Some were LPN and even NP and physicians... whew... not sure where to go from here... play it by ear I guess...
I'm in the same boat! I graduated in May, I know it's only been 2 months, but honestly, in school they made it seem like we would have no trouble finding a job! I have recently redone my resume and cover letter, and I have more confidence with them now. So, I have a question. Is it appropriate to send ANOTHER resume to somewhere I've already applied?
Also, should you apply somewhere out of state BEFORE transferring your license to that state?
I feel your pain too!! I had a rough journey to get through nursing and I feel I am at a stand still. I have had a few interviews for new residency programs and despite my experience and my demonstration of being passionate about nursing, I never get chosen. If that rejection is not bad enough, I have experienced the slew of rejection emails, no responses and little job availability to new grads. I have applied all over as well. All anyone can do is hope and pray that there hard work pays off. I have another interview on Monday in a fierce competition. All I can do is try, if I do not get it at least I know there is a reason. That is all you can do, when the right job comes around you it will be yours!! L MOON good luck on your interview. Be yourself and make them aware on why they should pick you instead. You seem like me passionate, needing money (my husband's car broke again and I am using my last credit card that is not completely maxed out.) and wanting to use my skills to make a difference in the lives of others. Unemployment only lasts so long and it is hard and the bills come in 6 months after graduation and like most people I have more than just those bills. Good luck to you I like to think that the ones who really want it and are truly in nursing for the right reasons will be rewarded. Best of luck.
KMC-RN-BSN: Thanks for your kind words. You seem very dedicated and self motivated when it comes to the job search. The mere fact you have already had several interviews means someone out there is impressed with you. Good luck on your upcoming interview!! Keep plugging away. I know how hard it is to put all the time, effort, and money into nursing school and then be hit with this desperate economic situation. As they say all things will pass. You really have to open the flood gates to get a nursing job nowadays as a new grad. I have applied to every and any place that has nursing positions and will continue to until I am hired somewhere. Someone posted a good link to a Johns Hopkins interview preparation website. I'd like to repost it here. I am going to definitely go through the questions under "Interview Guide" before my interview. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing | Resources | Career
I'm in the same situation in CT. Graduated with a BSN in May, licensed in CT in June, have prior parallel experience as both a NA and paramedic; haven't gotten anywhere with these prejudiced human resources minions. (I can say that, I used to be a HR Director.)
Tried the backdoor approach too--my wife had her nurse manager circulate my resume to other department heads. It got hits, but HR stepped in and denied being told by management to arrange interviews with me and filled the position.
How broken is the system when you have to be persistent and "wear them down" ? Welcome to nursing. (sounds like a line from a Bill Engvall show..."here's your sign)
I'm having the same problem! I graduated in late April and got my Florida Licensure in June and I've been applying since and most of my replies have been rejection letters via email. I had an interview last week and an offer yesterday for a full time position, however it is 60 miles away from my house and I cannot afford to relocate at the moment so I am so confused on what to do Things are just as bad in Florida, at least in South Florida. Most of the positions available are for experienced nurses in specialty areas such as ICU, pediatrics, etc. and nothing for new grads. There are some residency/versant programs available but due to the surplus of new grads it is highly competitive and there is practically a
I'd take it...I did 50 miles one-way when I graduated school for a non-nursing job paying $12/hr...was hard, but I did it...so I'd certainly do it for $26/hr... :)
Just wanted to send an update here. I got a job. It is at a nursing home, but getting it feels very hollow. The DON told me that she "likes to give everyone a chance to get started"... which I appreciate, but there are two other new grads that I graduated with who have also gotten jobs there, and basically it felt like the only requirement was that we have a pulse. She didn't ask me anything about nursing at all. She said "So, tell me about yourself". I told her a little about me and she spent the rest of our entire interview doing all of the talking and me nodding and saying umm humm. I'm going to keep looking and pray that something else comes up, but this will have to do for now. Gotta feed the kiddos, right?
Congrats NJFek! It is a start. I hope it works out for you. I had an interview this morning at the rehab/snf that called me. I could not believe how many questions they asked me! I was interviewed by the hr manager then the nurse manager. It was one of the most intense interviews I've ever had. I gave it my best shot. If I get the job I will be happy but if I don't I will move on to greener pastures and keep applying. I am somewhat nervous to begin my career in a ltc facility as I have read so many negative things on the geriatric/ltc forum on this site but I know everyone's experiences are different. Even the nurse manager in the interview made it seem like most nurses who work in ltc want to pull their hair out due to the extensive med passes involved along with the repetitious documenting and this must be something I must learn to handle. There must be some nurses out there who enjoy ltc nursing. Sometimes the negativity on this website gets me down but I have to believe that people are just venting in a safe place. I don't know anymore, nursing seems to become more and more of a mystery everyday.
Thank you, LMoon. I agree that starting out in ltc is far from ideal. I have many reservations myself. Three months ago, I was caring for four patients and staying busy for 12 hrs straight... I have no clue how it is going to work out with 30!! I realize these are not patients, but residents and they are not nearly as acute, however, 1:30 does not sound safe in any situation in my mind. I keep praying that something will come up before Tuesday (that is when my orientation starts) but we'll see what happens.
I haven't read any postings about ltc but I have personal reasons why ltc is not where I want to be... I feel that in general (I realize there are exceptions) nursing homes are seen by our society as dumping grounds, they are grossly underfunded and understaffed and the residents are not well cared for. I am trying to not see myself as "joining" but trying to see each shift as an opportunity to make things better for these people who are seemingly ignored and neglected.
Some people find that they are cut out for ltc, I don't see that happening for me, but it might... and it might for you as well.
I would take the fact that they really interviewed you as a good sign. I honestly feel like the only requirements to work at this place I'm talking about are a valid license and a pulse. I'm going to be making some phone calls tomorrow about other positions and I'm honestly praying that something comes up... I just don't think I can be a part of that organization for long.
Things are just as bad in Florida, at least in South Florida. Most of the positions available are for experienced nurses in specialty areas such as ICU, pediatrics, etc. and nothing for new grads. There are some residency/versant programs available but due to the surplus of new grads it is highly competitive and there is practically a 
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
LMoon
Your story illustrates what a disservice to nurses to keep them from working as nursing assistants when no one will hire them as nurses. My state allows this practice, it is up to the indivudual employers to set the rules for their organization. At least some will hire nurses as nursing assistants. Best wishes.