Going to start applying for jobs soon, and I'm scared out of my mind!

ky_grl82 · May 15, 2012

Congrats! I just graduated myself earlier this month. Do you have your foot in the door anywhere (working as a CNA or Unit Clerk)? Or was any particular nurse or clinical instructor impressed with you during clinical. If so, start with these avenues. It will be the best way to get a job. If you don't, then you will have to be a little less picky. While I appreciate your instuctors advice to be picky, I am afraid she doesn't get what it is like to be a new grad in this economy. And the longer it takes for you to get a job after graduating, the less attractive you are to employers as a "stale" new grad. Most likely, you will be grateful to have a job as a nurse. My instructor told us the exact opposite of your instructor; take the first job you can! I actually live in a decent part of the country where the recession hasn't devistated us but still, that was her advice. My advice (and my instructors) is to apply for jobs even if its not the type of nursing you want to do, even if it's not your preferred shift, or your preferred hospital/place of employment. However, everyone has standards and you shouldn't lower your standards for a paycheck. I refuse to work anywhere that uses and abuses nurses (sorry nursing homes, its true). In any case, take into consideration your local ecomony, the number of new grads, the number of positions accepting new grads, and how long its been since your instructor has been a working as a nurse in a hospital setting.

LovedRN, BSN, RN · May 15, 2012

First of all: Congrats!!!

Second: Don't worry about that. You will be sending/applying for job until it becomes your full time job. It's not easy to find a job anywhere period. Like the above post said, take the first RN job that comes to you. When you have experitences then you can transfer to where ever you want to go.

If you are so afraid of being unhappy, try shadowing nurses. Contact your instructors for help with shadowing nurses. I know I would never last in nursing home but I want to make sure of it. So I shadowed one. Yes, it confirmed my thought. I was trying to find excuses not to come back the next day while I was shadowing her. (This is my opinion only, just so you know).

From shadowing nurses (or preceptorship), I learned: Med/Surg, I can deal with but not too long; I like orthopedic, nurses too are so nice (even though I have no interesting in ortho but I can work there); LOVE OR; etc...etc... you know where I am going with this.

What I am trying to say is you will know where you want to be, where is OK for you to be, and where you never wanted to be.

Hope this help.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · May 16, 2012

how is the hiring climate where you are? are people getting their dream jobs right out of school? if not then you will be as the other posters said-take the first thing you can get. for me, I knew I couldn't do n.home or even med surg-too many pts. I wanted to be able to concentrate and learn all I could about what was going on with my pts-not be running all day just to get my pills passed and treatments done. I went to tele initially-but always was interested in ER-disaster nursing is why I went into nursing. I did first aid and cpr before nursing school. So I went there when I could.

Most people do not stay in their first nursing specialty-so do not worry about finding the exact right fit right out the gate-you need to learn diseases, meds, time management, etc. Which you will get anywhere you go.

so just apply apply apply if there is no specific place that talked to you in clinicals.

good luck!

nursegirl75 · May 16, 2012

here's my 2 cent: i think your clinical instructor has had her head in the ground for the past 3 years because it is very difficult for New Grads to get 'the job' they want nowadays. Its would also be difficult for you because you only have an ADN, and most hospitals tend to want BSN degree and they even still struggle to get a decent job. Most New Grad land their first jobs in LTC or nursing homes. Like the other posting have said, you need to take whatever comes your way because as of right now experiences anywhere is a key to actually getting 'the job' you always wanted.

vvittitoe · May 16, 2012

Thanks everyone. I am feeling much better after reading what everyone had to say. I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed thinking about graduating. I just want to get a job!