Frustrated- No call backs

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2014

have you tried areas outside the dallas metro area? smaller cities/towns and rural areas are known for being more welcoming of new grads. Cities are hard as everyone wants to be in the city...new grads and experienced RNs so there is more competition.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2014

This is extremely frustrating to me, am I doing something wrong, or is the market crazy hard to get into?

In a nutshell, the D/FW nursing employment market is difficult to penetrate, especially for new grads with an associate degree and no network of people who can put in a good word for them during the application process. Dallas has been a BSN-preferred city since about 2009.

I am located in the city west of you (Fort Worth). I earned my ASN degree in 2010, and while the job market was difficult back then, I had an easier time because I had four years of LVN experience in addition to some inside connections. Here's my advice:

1. Network, network, network. Let everyone in your professional and social circle know that you are seeking your first nursing job. Since up to 70 percent of jobs are not advertised, this technique might elicit a unique job opportunity you never would have known about otherwise.

2. Consider employment opportunities outside the hospital. Hospital new grad internships are fiercely competitive to get into at the moment, and BSN holders often have priority. Consider LTAC hospitals such as Kindred and Lifecare. Consider specialty hospitals such as Vibra, Regency, HealthSouth, Reliant, Select, and Texas Rehabilitation Hospital. Consider home health, nursing homes, hospices, clinics, blood banks, jails, prisons, and private duty.

3. Befriend currently-employed RNs and ask them to put in a good word for you. Reconnect with your former classmates who secured employment and ask them to put in a good word. In this economic climate, it's less about what you know and more about who you know.

4. Be willing to commute. I work in Fort Worth, but many of our new grads have lived in places like Carrollton, North Dallas, Plano, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Grapevine, and Lewisville. They commute to Fort Worth to get a foot in the door, then they take their experience elsewhere once they accrue that magical year.

Good luck!

firstinfamily, RN · Oct 16, 2014

I agree with The Commuter, you need to network and it is who you know, not what you know. Working in LTAC will give you experience and make you more marketable. Have you looked into the urgency centers, out patient type services? Good Luck!!

Ldoyle · Oct 17, 2014

Most urgent care centers require 1-2 years experience (i have contacted several) There is an urgent care facility in my back door, and they have a billboard flashing RNs needed. This billboard has been flashing for over 6 months. I have cold called and applied online, their rsponse, minimum 2 years experince. Crazy!

Thanks for the suggestions!

Ldoyle · Oct 17, 2014

Thanks for your help and suggestions! Is it common practice for HR not to return calls? It's very frustrating.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2014

Thanks for your help and suggestions! Is it common practice for HR not to return calls? It's very frustrating.

Nowadays, HR is so inundated with phone calls from job seekers and applicants that returning these calls is not terribly high on their priority list. In essence, if HR does not plan to schedule an interview or offer you the position, they're usually not calling back.

Ldoyle · Oct 19, 2014

Thanks.