how to get the elusive, required, First Med Surg job?

[Genuine_Pure_Setae]

I'm a newly graduated nurse: associates degree, graduated cum laude, received humanitus award, I have a volunteer history, tailored suit, positive attitude, many letters of recommendation, etc.

Have been applying online to every hospital I can easily commute to (including Jersey), but I feel like me resumes are getting lost in the digital vacuum. Am about to start going to hospitals in person and dropping off paper resumes and try to meet HR folks in person. too pushy?

It seems there are plenty of job postings for staff nursing positions but they all require at least one year med surg. I have med surg clinical experience, but no, i haven't worked one year in med surg, b/c I just graduated, so how am I supposed to get a foot in the door? move to Texas? Really? that's my option? go further into debt to get an oh-so-coveted online BSN? Because studying for a degree during the (i hear its stressful) first year on the floors won't make me a less focused nurse. Oh, I could pay near $600 for four days of ACLS & IV certification, cause that'll replace hands on clinical experience no problem.

can you tell I'm frustrated?

and, I haven't even started looking into positions at nursing homes.

In conclusion, any advice (not advise everyone, let's show the world that nurses can spell please) on how one should get a job when in my position would be appreciated. Please don't tell me I have to move to Texas.

thank you,

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

Going in person is not too pushy...neither is emailing/calling nurse recruitment a couple times IMO. I believe that I submitted my online application, waited a week, emailed nurse recruitment, waited a week, emailed again and finally got a response. Then I graduated to calling to set up shadows/interviews. Once I got past nurse recruitment I got hired by a manager on the spot. On the other hand, it is not nearly as hard to find a nursing job in my city as it appears to be in other areas (29 out of 30 people in my class had jobs before graduation...only 3-4 of those were in other areas).

[VRN-RN]

i have gone to places only to be turned down by the "gatekeeper". they tell me that i need to apply online (as if i don't know that). I was just trying to show my face and hopefully strike gold talking to someone other than the receptionist. even when i call them i get the same response. at least they tell me what i can and can't apply to. at this point im lost as to what to do.

[orgo geek]

apply apply apply. that is what i have been doing. i have been having a similar experience when it comes to walking in. the gatekeeper doesn't let you pass. As for calling in......i have called places so many times that they automatically tell me they keep resumes on file for 6 months to a year (depending on the institution) and re-evaluate them as positions open. they go on to say they will contact me if they are interested in me for a given position.

[Genuine_Pure_Setae]

went to metropolitan hospital yesterday and they wouldn't even take my resume. other places i was able to drop off a resume off, but everyone seemed pretty unimpressed and/or dismissive.

color me discouraged...

[orgo geek]

metropitan only takes resumes when ther is an open position if i am not mistaken

[Genuine_Pure_Setae]

They explained to me they no longer have the capability to handle actual paperwork and recommended/instructed me to only apply online.

oh well, a wise voice told me to apply apply apply. these dress clothes are getting a workout...

[Upgrading_Status, BSN, MSN, RN, NP]

Going in person is not too pushy...neither is emailing/calling nurse recruitment a couple times IMO. I believe that I submitted my online application, waited a week, emailed nurse recruitment, waited a week, emailed again and finally got a response. Then I graduated to calling to set up shadows/interviews. Once I got past nurse recruitment I got hired by a manager on the spot. On the other hand, it is not nearly as hard to find a nursing job in my city as it appears to be in other areas (29 out of 30 people in my class had jobs before graduation...only 3-4 of those were in other areas).

Beckster, how was your request to shadow a nurse received?

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

My hospital actually requires you to do a four hour shadow experience, it is considered part of the interview process. It still wasn't very easy to set up the shadowing, but once I got to the floor I was able to set up an interview with he NM. However I went to recruitment events at other hospitals and they all encouraged setting up a shadow.

[jukatan]

I also looking for a job without success so far. I do not know what to do. I don't have hospital exp. Any help?

[herowneulogy, BSN, RN]

Some hospitals will tell you that they have Open Houses. Boy, what a circus! And all they do is take your resume and add it to the neverending pile of new grad prospectives. Then they wave you away like "run along now, newbie, beat it".

[KryBry]

ANy updates on the job market?