Help!: Feeling boxed in/Skrewed with job search

Melinurse · Nov 14, 2008

If the hospitals in your area are not hiring right now, maybe consider a nursing home till something else comes available? Or a clinic? A dialysis center? Just throwing ideas out there someone else may have some more options. Good luck.

Jules A, MSN · Nov 14, 2008

Networking can be very helpful. Were there any nurses on your clinical rotations that were especially nice to you that you could contact for advice? Many of my classmates went on to work on one of the units where we did clinicals. Definitely try and get some face time when you submit your applications. Good luck.

shinyblackcar · Nov 14, 2008

I am in desperate need of advice with regards to finding a job as an RN. I am a recent grad, licensed since October and since then have been applying to every hospital I know around me in NJ. Unfortunately nothing has turned up, zip, nada.
Before I continue, please excuse me as I'm only just learning how these things work (I'm 20yo). This is my very first profession, with no previous employment history or externships while I was in school, so you can imagine how light my resume and completed applications must be.
I've read around that listing clinical experience from school as experience in your resume holds absolutely no weight. If that was true, then my already light resume would be reduced to my objective statement, license, educational history and references with reference letters. Then I thought it might be no surprise why no one has considered me yet.
Now what the hell do I do now? With no work experience of any kind what can I do??? Are there any extern/intern programs that I can look to or is it too late?
Please help. Any advice would be great.

I'm having the same problem. I do have some work experience, but it's not really related to nursing. Other than that, I'm in the same boat as you. Would you consider relocating if need be? Because there are literally no hospitals hiring new grads at the moment in NJ/NYC. UGHHH, sorry I can't be of more help, but I feel your pain!

Jolie, BSN · Nov 14, 2008

Have you never held a paying job of any kind? McDonalds? Babysitting?

Employers don't necessarily expect a new grad to have health care experience, but they do want to see that an applicant has had the responsibility of maintaining employment of some kind.

What are you doing now to pay the bills while you job hunt? If you are employed in any capacity, list it.

If not, have you ever volunteered? Tutored? Participated in a student service group? Been part of a neighborhood group? House-sat for a neighbor? Anything that would show maturity and responsibility?

HolyNameChild7 · Nov 14, 2008

Have you never held a paying job of any kind? McDonalds? Babysitting?
Employers don't necessarily expect a new grad to have health care experience, but they do want to see that an applicant has had the responsibility of maintaining employment of some kind.
What are you doing now to pay the bills while you job hunt? If you are employed in any capacity, list it.
If not, have you ever volunteered? Tutored? Participated in a student service group? Been part of a neighborhood group? House-sat for a neighbor? Anything that would show maturity and responsibility?

Unfortunately no. Again I just barely made it out of my teens, enrolling in nursing school at 17 and graduating at 20, so surely anyone wouldn't expect me to have bills to pay. My focus was mainly on doing well and passing so getting an odd job at the time was the least of my concerns. I didn't think this would come back to bite me in the ass later on :banghead:

caliotter3 · Nov 14, 2008

Don't feel bad about not holding down jobs while in nursing school. I had part time and full time jobs, both nursing and non-nursing related, while in school, and one of my prospective employers asked me if I was a job hopper. So you see, there are two ways to look at everything. Many new grads who can't find work in acute care settings, go to long term care facilities to start out. You can gain experience there while you continue to look elsewhere. Maybe you should try some of these places for a start. Good luck.

HolyNameChild7 · Nov 14, 2008

Don't feel bad about not holding down jobs while in nursing school. I had part time and full time jobs, both nursing and non-nursing related, while in school, and one of my prospective employers asked me if I was a job hopper. So you see, there are two ways to look at everything. Many new grads who can't find work in acute care settings, go to long term care facilities to start out. You can gain experience there while you continue to look elsewhere. Maybe you should try some of these places for a start. Good luck.

Would I have better prospects finding a position in long-term with my given situation?

caliotter3 · Nov 14, 2008

Yes. LTC facilities are generally more concerned with getting employees at all. The DON will ask about your background, but ultimately she/he hires based on need for a worker.