Great difficulty finding a new grad job in Raleigh, NC

U.S.A. North Carolina

Published

Hello! Here's my story: I graduated from a Georgia nursing school in December 2012 (RN-MSN). I took and passed the NCLEX a couple months afterward and then got married and moved a few months after that. At this point, I still had not worked as an RN. After I moved, I began looking for jobs and have been utterly unsuccessful at landing one. It's a big blow to me, because I did really well in both classes and clinicals and would certainly have been offered a job at my hospital had I not moved, but by the time I moved, a fresh batch of new grads had already graduated here in NC, and I've just been overlooked since then. I've applied at multiple hospitals for numerous jobs, and my application never makes it far. I had dreams of doing advanced practice nursing, but now I'm just trying so hard to get a job so I can gain good clinical experience and just help people! I've called the HR departments where I applied and asked to speak to hiring managers, but I got a lot of, "We don't don't do that...you have to stick to the process. If you're suitable, WE'LL call YOU." One HR rep was extremely impressed by my resume and student clinical experience, so I'm not sure why nobody else is. I don't know any nurses here, so I can't really ask anyone for good advice. I'd appreciate any help or words of wisdom. I've applied to UNC, Duke, and Rex. Please help if you can! Thanks for your time!

I'm not a nurse, but I live in the area. Have you tried Holly Hill Hospital?

Also, maybe you could volunteer at a hospital and see if you can network that way.

Good luck! You are not the only one to mention how difficult it is to find a position in this area. It seems to be difficult for most people. :-/

Hey, thanks! I actually do appreciate your words, because I really feel like I'm the only one having problems with this. I haven't looked into Holly Hill, but I definitely will! Thanks for the advice, TM.

Uughhh! We have the same problem too but in my case I'm from New york and there's a lot of Nurses here. But anyhow, try to google some open house or job fairs for Rns in your place. Good luck ?

Specializes in L&D.

I just relocated from Louisiana to Raleigh. I had about a year of experience before relocating. Honestly, I would look outside of the area and at a residency program. My sister moved from LA to Fayetteville and is in a residency program at Cape Fear, and likes it. it may not be the area you want to live in, but it would be good to get you started in nursing.

I think you need to look at new grad residency positions. Duke posts them once a month ( or at least they use to). The other hospitals usually just post new grad jobs a couple of times a years. You may want to consider smaller hospital like Alamance Regional, Maria Parham, Roxboro or even SNF. As mentioned Cape Fear is a good place to look as well. It's always difficult to get that first job. Maybe you can network your way in by volunteering?

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I did apply to all new grad residency postings I saw, but no luck. I actually had a couple interviews this past week at a couple of clinics that operate like hospital units, so I think that's my best option right now. There's a lot of experience to be gained there, so I'm excited! Thanks again for the input. I'll be looking into the smaller hospitals you mentioned, too, since I didn't know about those.

I am also having a lot of trouble. I moved from South Carolina to Raleigh and have applied to new grad positions since March 2014 and have been unsuccessful. Can anyone tell me where else they have applied (that isn't a hospital)?

I've heard, through a good source, that RN's w/ years of experience have a very difficult time finding work in Raleigh--sometimes up to 8-9 months or more if hospital employment is desired

A new grad will, obviously, have a more difficult time.

RN's are saturated in NC, as a whole, & I mean saturated. Not the state to move to or stay for RN jobs...

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I just got an email that Rex is looking for nurses in about 10 specialties, and has an open house. I get weekly emails from WakeMed about open positions. There have been a bunch of changes recently and experienced nurses are being sought after. All of the big three (and their satellites) are hiring. On my unit we just went through a hiring blitz with 6 new nurses. Half were new grads. I think it runs in cycles.

I myself started at a LTC Rehab unit. I was there 10 months, so I was still considered a new grad and was fortunate that I had some experience. I now have my dream job-been there for 2 1/2 years.

Specializes in ICU, CCRN.
I just got an email that Rex is looking for nurses in about 10 specialties, and has an open house. I get weekly emails from WakeMed about open positions. There have been a bunch of changes recently and experienced nurses are being sought after. All of the big three (and their satellites) are hiring. On my unit we just went through a hiring blitz with 6 new nurses. Half were new grads. I think it runs in cycles.

I myself started at a LTC Rehab unit. I was there 10 months, so I was still considered a new grad and was fortunate that I had some experience. I now have my dream job-been there for 2 1/2 years.

When is the open house? Do you have details on the event?

I'm an experienced RN ADN w 1.5years icu experience, BSN in progress . Looking to move to NC from texas.

Thanks!! :)

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
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