Frustrated Newer RN in Houston with a little experience looking for a job..

[Liss RN]

So I graduated in May 2010 with my ADN, moved from PA to Houston in June, and was licensed in TX in Sept. I got a Critical Care Internship position which I began in January, but was laid off exactly 2 months after I started. Apparently the hospital wasn't doing well and had to lay off over 100 people, and of course all the interns were some of the first to go.

During my time in the internship I completed a NIH Stroke course, an EKG course, and over 20 contact hour credits on caring for critical care patients during the didactic portion of the internship. I also have experience working as an Extern in critical care. I have good recommendation letters from my former supervisors and instructors. It seems my weak point may be that I don't have my BSN, but I only have 2 classes left to finish it!!!! Another problem is that since I'm from PA, I have NO connections here at all, and didn't do any of my clinicals at these hospitals.

I've applied to all the internships in the Houston area including smaller community/suburban hospitals and those an hour away. In a month I've applied to well over 100 positions, and I am just getting really discouraged. I haven't gotten calls from anyone. There is so much competition, and I am starting to feel like a "old" new grad since I graduated almost a year ago. I have 2 months experience now, but I'm afraid that's not enough for anyone to consider me.

Anyone have any tips for getting noticed? Any leads on places accepting RN's with little experience?

Thanks!

[Tinkerbellcb]

where have you applied????

I have practically worked at all hospitals in houston and all are hiring versants.

have you called HR for consideration?

Try LTACS, MD office, clinics, HH, etc to help build ur resume.

[Liss RN]

I've applied to memorial hermann, md anderson, methodist, st. luke's, cypress fairbanks, park plaza and plaza specialty, houston northwest, tomball regional, texas children's, kindred, foundation surgical, ben taub, west houston medical center, kingwood, conroe regional, christus st. catherine, and the list goes on I'm sure I've missed a few lol. I applied to the versants and other internships at these hospitals as well as regular RN postings. I have gone to a few md offices and clinics that said they weren't hiring RN's (a lot are hiring MA's now). I've mailed my resumes/cover letters/letters of rec to several places. I haven't really called many place's HR's though, as I'm not really sure what to say? Maybe someone can give me advice on what to say/ask when I call.

[Tinkerbellcb]

Ok...FYI do hold your breath if you are applying in the Med Ctr...they only will hire BSN 99.9% of the time.

HCA are currently hiring (Bayshore,Kingwood, East Houston, Clear Lake, Conroe)---reapply and CALL them! I know this for a fact!

Plaza Specialty (Inside Park Plaza)are in dire need of RN's...They prefer experience nurses....but call HR anyway and let them know you have heard alot of great things (hahaha) about them and are eager to be a part of the team.

MD offices only use MA and few LVN but I was referring to clinics such as Kelsey Seboid and HCHD clinics.

Try urgent care (Concentra, etc).

Also, go on Careerbuilder, etc to search for jobs.

In the meantime, you need to have more than what you have on your resume. You will be hired, same day, if you do Home Health. I know this may not be your ideal job but it will give you experience and more on your resume. They will hire you on the spot and want you to go to a job right afterwards.

Home Health agencies are EVERYWHERE.

I hope this helps.

Continue on and try not to get discourage. Do things now to add on to your resume. (i.e ACLS, PALS, STROKE, NRP, etc).

[TheMrsRN]

Applying online is not enough. They probably receive hundreds of applications per day. You need to make phone calls to nurse recruiters and you could even hand deliver a resume to HR. Go to career fairs at hospitals and local schools. Join the Texas Nurses Association and go to local meetings. It is an excellent way to network.