Fustrated New Grad

Published

I just want to vent because I am extremely frustrated. I graduated in sept 2010 got my License in feb 2011 missed most of new grad programs at that time therefore decided to apply to the summer session. I was lucky enough to land one interview with cedars but no offer. I have kept trying to apply to many job postings and about 90% of them required at least 1 year experience. I am to the point of going crazy. Can someone, anyone tell me what do I need to do to get a job. I applied in person, went to small hospitals no luck. I went to long beach memorial and was told immediately that they did not hired new grads. As Im writing this at this moment I get a knot in my throat because if I had been a careless student with no extracurricular activities or no volunteer jobs maybe I would think I deserve this but that is not the case. I graduated with honors, I did all the things I thought I was supposed to do but here I am jobless losing hope because I can't seem to find a job not even wiping butts... I never thought finding a job as a new grad would be this difficult... I keep thinking maybe is my resume or my cover letter but i had those revised by my former school staff... At the end I think I did waited to long to take my NCLEX and that just put me behind. I put my family first and this is what i get (was taking care of my newborn right after graduating I guess wrong move too).... well that is all just thought of venting here.... GOOD LUCK TO ALL THOSE NEW NURSES WHO ARE LOOKING FOR JOBS NOW...

Hi all,

I am from CT graduate in May/June 2011 and have applied to tons and TONS of jobs I keep calling hospitals to try and check on the status of my application and usually can't even get anyone. I feel better knowing it isn't just me! The worst is when everyone thinks it's soo easy for you to get a job because your an RN no one understands!! Just wanted to let you all know there are a lot of people I've talked to who haven't gotten a job yet and are also having a hard time. As sad as it is to say it really is all about who you know, try and use any connection you can think of no matter how small. Everyone keeps telling me to be persistent.. so keep annoying people! Best of luck to all of you! :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in the same situation as most of you. I graduated May 2010, took the NCLEX Aug 2010 and failed. I got depressed and family issues came up. I took the Nclex this past August 2011 and passed. I am fresh into the job search, and it is depressing. Most places want experience,even LTC facilities! It is like a catch 22; hospitals will tell you to get one year of experience, apply to nursing homes etc, and nursing homes will tell you to get one year of experience. You never hear back from most HRs. Some jobs listings are even bogus. Most have already been filled from inside applicants or people who know someone on the inside, so others never even have a chance. New grad programs want current grads now. So what are we to do? I still have hope. I did not go to nursing school for nothing, get up at the crack of dawn, almost shed blood tears, and worked my behind off like it was my last day on earth! I hope emplyers will wake up and give us a chance. But, of course, they will play the economy is bad BS also.

I have a friend who works at Sutter, and they went on strike a week ago. She states that Sutter wants to cut new grads pay in half and not give any benefits! Employers are exploiting us due to the economy, and they know they are in the driving seat and can call the shots. How far will they go? Lord help us all. Hang in there everyone and just keep praying. Prayer has brought me this far, so I am not giving up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Employers are exploiting us due to the economy, and they know they are in the driving seat and can call the shots. How far will they go? Lord help us all. .

This is true.

I'm in the same boat as everyone else. I have tons of family members who work in various hospitals around my city, and I'm still not able to find employment as a new grad. Today someone recommended that I apply at a local hospital near me because they were "desperate for new graduates"; she even made sure to give me her name and number so I could use her as a reference. When i checked the hospital career section on their website, I saw TONS of openings for Graduate Nurses!...internal applicants only :mad:. I guess they're not "desperate" enough to train outside applicants? I plan to actually call them tomorrow, I just found that strange.

:confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR.

First of all, I will note that I am not even in nursing school yet. I applied, but won't find out for a few weeks. Having said that, I know many friends who are nurses. One of my friends works at VA in ER, another one does home-health care, and the others I know do nursing homes. Now, I know one of my friends who works in the nursing home stated that the "hospitals" are the ones not really hiring new grads...the 'hospital' job is the coveted job everybody wants.

I have noticed a theme that most of you gals/guys on here talk about "hospital jobs"...could it be you need to branch out and apply to places other than hospitals? Please don't take it the wrong way, as for all I know you guys applied to nursing homes and such too. I will admit, once I am done with nursing school I also want to nab a job in a hospital. :) So, not judging...just making an observation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes it is quite difficult to get a job...& no I did not only apply to hospital Jobs... I applied to nursing homes and anything related to nursing. My applications were not sent to one or 20 but almost 100 different jobs... I applied to every single job that was offer to new grads and even to those who asked for yrs of experience. I went personally to employers and I got shot down, so I'm sorry to say this but my search was not limited to "hospital jobs."

Btw I would like to share with all of you that I was finally offer a position. Mayb afer 4 different interviews I was finally able to master the interview proccess.

I wish you all the best and if I can do it I'm certain u guys will too. Don't give up and dont let anyone bring u down especially when they have no clue of what us new RN's go through...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I meat shut down.... But it felt like a "shot" ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Meant... Goodness phone...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think that it'd be pretty strange NOT to apply to nursing homes in such an economy. When speaking for myself, all avenues have been exhausted. Whether it be nursing homes, correctional facilities, office related nursing jobs, etc. I don't know any new grad that has limited themselves to just "hospital jobs".

I've actually been offered a job that doesn't have anything to do with bedside/floor nursing. It's in healthcare IT.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got my license around May 2011 and after 100+ applications, I only had 2 interviews and no offers :( Im starting to just apply for an EKG tech position in the meantime in the area since I have the certification... but if it's a full time position, I'm afraid it will hinder me to find and interview for RN positions... I dont know what to do!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think that it'd be pretty strange NOT to apply to nursing homes in such an economy. When speaking for myself, all avenues have been exhausted. Whether it be nursing homes, correctional facilities, office related nursing jobs, etc. I don't know any new grad that has limited themselves to just "hospital jobs".

I've actually been offered a job that doesn't have anything to do with bedside/floor nursing. It's in healthcare IT.

Did you take the Healthcare IT job?

I got my license around May 2011 and after 100+ applications, I only had 2 interviews and no offers :( Im starting to just apply for an EKG tech position in the meantime in the area since I have the certification... but if it's a full time position, I'm afraid it will hinder me to find and interview for RN positions... I dont know what to do!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I probably will. Don't get me wrong, it's not something I don't want (it's a job after all), but for some reason I figure that I should at least get 1 year of hospital experience under my belt before taking an office/traveling position. Everything happens for a reason, I guess.

In my area, Healthcare IT (Cerner, Epic, etc, etc) seems to take grads in with no problem, as hiring actual clinicians gives them credibility.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Like most of you, I have applied to Hospitals, nursing homes, LTC, jails, prisons, outpatient centers etc. I called a LTC facility the other day, and the owner said that he has an opening for a day shift treatment nurse! He told me to come in and apply, and if I can convince him why he should hire me, he said he would hire me. This place has 39 beds. I wanted to start in psych, but I need to get in and get started in something. I can always do psych later. It is easier for one to find a job if they already have one. I will be praying for all of us. Congrats to those who have already found something.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion