Hello! New RN..looking for jobs..What do I do? Confused!

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Hello everyone!!

I'm Jessica, and I just took the NCLEX last 2 weeks and I passed! Now, its time for the real time: looking for a job. I have been applying to several jobs in Florida Hospital, Orlando Health locations...and to no avail. I'm already regretting my decision of leaving Indiana. No one wants to hire an inexperienced RN, but I wonder how I can get experience when no one wants to hire me.

What do you guys think? Any advice? Am I doing something wrong?

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Are you committed to the Orlando area? There are a few hospitals in my area that hire new grads.

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Specializes in cardiac.

If you are near the tampa area I know a good hospital that takes new grads

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Hello!

Thanks for your replies. Yeah, I'm currently living in Seminole County area. Any help will be deeply appreciated!!

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Hi, I'm in Ft. Lauderdale but I'm willing to move to Tampa. That's how desperate I am. No one wants a new grad unless you know someone inside the facility. Thanks so much.

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Specializes in ER, PACU.

Franco and leanjess,

The job market in Miami/Ft Lauderdale area is terrible even for experienced nurses, I have been looking online in Miami, Tampa and Sarasota for about a year now for ICU positions mostly. Many of the job postings will specify that new grads need not apply. Not sure about the Orlando hospitals since I'm not really interested in that area, but it seems that the Tampa/Sarasota area has more positions than Miami does. Another note about Miami in particular is that they often only hire new grads that are scholarship applicants from the Miami area nursing programs (I know this is the case for the Baptist system and UMiami hospital). If your from out of state and a new grad, your chances are slim to none, but hey you never know. You can try Jackson Memorial, Aventura or Hilehia (spelling?) hospitals. Franco, did you search for jobs before you moved? I have been tracking the jobs there for a while and none of this information about positions stating that new grads need not apply or open positions for scholarship applicants only are new. This has been posted for about a year already.

I know that All Childrens in St Pete does have a new grad residency, but there is also Moffit Cancer Center, Sarasota Memorial, Manatee County, St Pete General, Tampa General and Lee Memorial (Ft Myers) in the Tampa region which you can also apply to.

I would have never imagined that it would be this difficult for new grad nurses to land jobs, since there was/is a shortage. Not saying that anyone here has this issue, but in all fairness, I have seen new grads complain that they can't find jobs yet they are only interested in working in a specific specialty, only want to work days, don't want to work holidays or weekends or are not happy with the starting pay, so they are ruling out the open door that is giving them a chance.

Good luck to you guys, keep checking the hospital websites and other sites like indeed. If possible, take BLS for sure, and maybe ACLS and/or PALS if you can swing it (both classes are over $250). Send out those resumes and hope for the best!

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NYCRN16,

I haven't moved to Tampa, I'm still in Ft. Lauderdale. You're right about the hospitals and their new grads spots open to those with scholarships. The Memorial system has a lot of job opening for new grads but they're only offered to those with scholarships.

I'm looking everywhere and I'm not picky! I'm not trying to get into any specialty because I have to be realistic, the chances of that are pretty slim. Besides, I think I'm one of the few nurses that actually likes being on a Med/Surg floor. I believe that's where you grow your nursing skills as a new grad. I just applied to PSA. I've heard good and bad things about the company.

Any information that anyone might have about PSA in Florida will be truly appreciated.

I just need to get my "feet wet" and start getting experience from whatever I can find.

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
Hello!

Thanks for your replies. Yeah, I'm currently living in Seminole County area. Any help will be deeply appreciated!!

Hi Jessica,

I am currently in nursing school, and sadly, the situation in Orlando is rough for new grads who have graduated within the area. Many of the local hospitals 1) Are looking for BSNs because they are seeking magnet status (aka seeking more money!) and 2) Have their pick of new grads for low pay rates!

Here in the Orlando area, UCF graduates approximately 144 BSN's each year. In addition to that you have Valencia who has a concurrent program with UCF and they graduate approximately 50 BSN's, also Seminole State College who graduates approximately 70 BSN's. To add to this, you also have NUMEROUS schools graduating ADN/RN's such as Valencia, Seminole, Herzing, Kaplan, Remington, and the list goes on.

Many nursing students and recent grads are finding that leaving the area is in their best interest. However, I know Nemour's Children's Hospital will be opening in October of this year, so maybe if you are interested in pediatrics you could consider applying there?

Best of luck!

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Specializes in ED, trauma.

Good luck to you guys, keep checking the hospital websites and other sites like indeed. If possible, take BLS for sure, and maybe ACLS and/or PALS if you can swing it (both classes are over $250). Send out those resumes and hope for the best!

If you decide to complete ACLS and/or PALS - keep your receipt for the course! Some employers are willing to reimburse you for taking the course if taken to boost your resume to apply for a position at their facility/on their unit!

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Specializes in ICU.

Nemours only takes experienced nurses, NO NEW GRADS. Maybe when they get there patient population up in 1 year after opening in the fall they will consider new grads.

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Have you tried applying to facilities other than hospitals?

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any updates???

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