Frustration & No RN Job Opportunities

[LuvScrubs2]

I am so frustrated with not being able to find a RN position. I live in the philly area... I have applied to every hospital I can think of... I decided to make some calls to follow up on my application status and i get the ususal Nurse Recruiter answer machine stating" Please leave a detail message; your call is important to me and I will return your call asap". also I call HR and they bascially say to wait for someone to contact you." I guess i am just venting... I know that I am not the only RN grad looking and waiting to jumpstart my career. BUT Boy it's frustrating as well.... Any advice?

[alih713]

Two of my friends, who graduated May 2009, were able to get FT jobs by Sept 2009 after passing the NCLEX. They both live in NY. They both previously worked as nursing assistants at the hospital where they were hired also...that may have played a part.

[MissNikkiRN]

It definitely did. I also know people that have gotten jobs right away and either they knew someone or they had prior experience as an LPN and they got the upgrade. Unfortunately, It's not what you know it's who you know.

[sunrock]

That is very true, but do not give up. Google up indeed . com for poughkeepsie, n.y. Vassar Bros. hosp. have tons of openings, right now they are expanding, and Wingate extended care facility have vent cases and reg, rn/lpn position as nurse managers, wingate is in highland, n.y., beacon, n.y., and fishkill, n.y. the website is iNDEED.COM. they are having an open house next weekend in the mall.right now the jobs openings are here. These jobs are in the state of new york not NEW YORK CITY, the suburb of new york, this is a college town,

[sunrock]

Wish i had a way to contact you personally, but i do not, do you know how, let me know. Hudson valley hospitals does have openings, Cornwall hosp, vassar bros. hosp. and wingate extended care facility, all located in poughkeepsie, n.y., that is the best that i can do on this forum,

[sunrock]

There will be a nursing job fair in the Poughkeepsie Galleria, poughkeepsie, n.y. on March 26, 27 and 28th from 12 noon - 6 pm

[colleenk63]

I am not sure where you reside but, I have never heard of hospitals "firing" nurses every 3-6 months, that is just an absurd statement that I am sure has no basis in fact. I believe nurses who do get fired, do so for usually a very good reason such as pt. safety issues etc.

We are in an extremely difficult time right now with the economy and true, there are very very few opportunities out there. I graduated in May 09 and just now secured a job. I was gettting sooooooooooooooo frustrated! I also found out that this is occuring all over the country!! I have worked in this hospital since school and it still took a long time. You just have to be patient.

[MissNikkiRN]

Sunrock,

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I will definitely look into those places. I can be contacted via [email protected] Thank you for the suggestions. Will keep you posted on my progress.

[lkwashington]

The nursing positions do require you to have some experience. There are jobs out their now we all know most of them we do not want to work. You can sacrifice for at least a year and then move on to something better. It is a hard pill to swallow but we all have to do it sometime in our life. Just a thought.

[MissNikkiRN]

Actually, I have to disagree or maybe it is just something wrong with me.... I have applied to clinics, nursing homes and many hospitals that are a good drive from where I am. I have not been picky with the areas, job descriptions or days and shifts. So I can only speak from my experience and tell you that I have not been picky in my job hunt and I am still yet to be contacted.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

A lot of people assume when they show openings for RN positions that everyone can apply, even without experience.

Many RN positions, especially currently require a year if not more experience. And typically not just new grad nurses are applying, most positions now have multiple people applying.

Are they going to hire the new grad with no experience to a Med-surg floor or the nurse who has 8 years experience but has been off for a couple years raising kids?

Typically, the one with experience will get it, because she will be easier to train and on her own within a week or two, the new grad takes 6-12 weeks minimum to train and another 6 months to be hitting the ground running.

[Music in My Heart]

There certainly ARE new-grad jobs out there.

However, there ARE many more new grads out there than there are jobs available for them (based on anecdotal evidence, my personal experience, and the data provided in the CINHC issued last summer).

Success in being hired seems to be largely a matter of networking and having the good fortune to have precepted in a place that has some budget for hiring.

[MissNikkiRN]

There are new graduate positions mostly for BSN and individuals that were educated on the politics of nursing. IE: They did an internship/externship/preceptorship etc. Unfortunately, for me I am an Associate degree nurse that graduated from an accelerated program and was not aware that there were internships etc. out there available to students. I also didn't know that once you became licensed you were no longer eligible for these advantages. Well yes there are jobs out there but if you fit their "criteria" or you are lucky enough to know someone that is willing to help. I am returning to school for my BSN but I need to work full time as well. This is a forum where you should be able to vent and discuss your concerns and the concerns of others. It should not be a "well there are jobs out there this that and the other". It is not that we are being lazy, picky or even feeling sorry for ourselves because I know that there is not enough time in the day for that. Just a little food for thought, just because the sun is currently shining doesn't mean that you will always stay dry. Too much of anything is not good for you :)