Help! New Grad-New state-No job!

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · May 12, 2011

are you able to move back to where you actually have a license, plus friends, and contacts? moving back may be your best bet if the market is better than the one you are experiencing in ca! most online positions ask "yes" or "no" questions. if you answer "no" to a question that is required for the position, then you more than likely were filtered-out. this means that hr reps never see your application. with that said, having a temp license as oppose to a full license is a big hindrance in any state especially ca!!!

i would move back to the state where i have connections, friends, and a full nursing license to practice. i would not waste another moment in a tight new graduate market. the last thing you want to happen is to still be there a year or two later having never been employed and to not have a license to practice. it is much better for you to be competitive in ca by having nursing work experience.

of course, if you are unable to move back home, then you need a full license to practice. no employer is going to hire a nurse on a temp license when he/she has 100s of rn apps per position. so, in your situation i would work on completing those two classes, which means getting a job outside of nursing full-time and attending school part-time to complete those courses. after obtaining a full license, i would work on obtaining a bsn given that most places in ca prefer and require the degree, while applying for new graduate residency programs.

TinFL · May 12, 2011

I suggest giving it more time. I also graduated in Dec with my BSN and just found a job. I applied for unemployment to help with student loans and bills. I am from the Bay area, Martinez but in live in Florida now. I would say go in and drop off your resume in person, attend every job fair even if hospitals/LTC facilities aren't on the list. Contact the local Work Force. My states also issues a 1 year license to new nurses, it's not a big deal. When filling out job applications, I was told, if I learned, saw or performed the task, to select that I had experience. We all have at least one year of med surg experience just from clinicals. I do agree, if you can work on the BSN. It's worth the money in the long run. Do you have your california state drivers license? I know, that in my state if you have a RN license then you can't work as a CNA. Hope this helps. Don't give up!

Nurzelady · May 12, 2011

I suggest that what you do while you're taking your classes is trying to apply to any type of position in a hospital. not just CNA. For example, operator, tech, unit secretary, whatever. That way u can start earning some money and then when a new grad opening comes up you'll have a greater chance of getting the job and you'll already know the hospital.

roundheer · May 12, 2011

Thank you for your advise. I already am registered to begin the extra classes needed for my permanent CA license. Unfortunately I cannot move back to where I came from however! I moved to the Bay area with my husband for his job (he makes the money in our family!) and my two sons. I really don't want to uproot my poor sons again and move. And yes, I am planning on getting my BSN, it's just that I've spent the last four years working my butt off to get my ADN so I could go to work as an RN and now I cant find work and am being told to go back to school - it's just really hard to hear sometimes.

I think I am going to try and find the nerve to walk into the hospitals (resume in hand) and speak directly with the nurse managers that are posting open positions on the the websites. It's just really intimidating for me to do that to be honest! I tend to be on the shy side and know I will feel very awkward walking the halls of an unfamiliar hospital trying to find the correct nurse managers! Any advise on the best way to approach that would be welcome too!

Thanks again for taking the time to respond - it really does matter that there are those out there who understand. :nurse:

roundheer · May 12, 2011

Ooops, I meant "advice"!

Tracey RN · May 13, 2011

IDK if you have tried calling the HR dpt of the jobs you've applied to and asking to speak to the "nurse recruiter" but, this always works for me. Most the time that transfer you right to him/her and there you go! If you can you can also expedite things by walking into HR and doing the same thing: ask if the Nurse recruiter is available to speak with you.

My husband and I were seriously considering moving to a different state right after I graduated so when applying for job 3-4 months prior to graduation I did the same process (mentioned above) at the hospitals in KY (which is where we want to move). Every recruiter I spoke to suggested I get at least 6 months experience locally then apply because you won't be considered a "new" nurse any more after 6 months and they don't have to hire you with as long of an orientation period, ect.

YOU CAN DO IT! I have never had a problem finding a job (in any area) doing the proactive activities mentioned above.

CONGRATULATIONS on graduating!

shardyBSNRN · May 18, 2011

Hey everybody i too am a new grad nurse, i graduated in may of 2010 but wasnt able to take the NCLEX until march of this yr, i've already had a hard time dealing with the delay in taking he exam, but now i am just thankful that i passed, I am asking for help with where to find jobs that hire new nurses in the Philadelphia area? Who has the best rates? Best experience? I would also like to start grad school soon, i ahve to narrow down my choices to become either a nurse practitioner or a midwife, anyone got any ideas? or even some of the best grad schools for those programs here? I know that some require work experience and a higher gpa (mine wasnt so good when i graduated), anywho any advice, experience stories would be greatly appreciated thanks!!!!

Carlitosway · May 18, 2011

I feel your pain. I just graduated from a very intense and expensive LVN-RN ADN program late last year, passed the boards last February, Got certified in ACLS, PALS, MOAB, turned in hundreds of applications since passing the boards and so far, I've gotten 1 interview a month =)

Just had an interview yesterday and was asked to do a panel interview tomorrow (thursday) at a LTAC Hospital (wish me luck).

My advice, you already made the decision to move up here (BayArea) so just ride it out. Don't loose hope. My wife always tells me, "if you didn't get it, that means its not for you and there is something much better out there". Check out websites such as indeed.com, monster.com, and Craigslists frequently (every hour if you can). Check out sutterhealth, CHW (I have 6 applications under HR Review), DaVita and Satellite dialysis - these companies usually offer RN New Grad Program. If you have Facebook, look up New Grad RN Jobs and click like, they usually post New Grad openings there. For SNFs, Sub Acute facilites - try to go there in person and talk directly to the DON (if able) and sell your self. Also, try Maxim Staffing. I know they hire New Grads there too. The pay sucks but it's still something (100% of 0 is still nothing). If you can afford to get some certifications, go for it (ACLS, PALS, Wound Care, TNCC) might as well come in loaded. Last but not least, PRAYERS. Helps a whole lot. I'm sure you did a lot during nursing school, 1st day of clinicals, 1st day on Psych Rotation, 1st try doing IVs, 1st day of preceptorship, the dreaded exit exam (Hesi or ATI) and who can forget the Diarrhea, GERD producing NCLEX-RN (was I thinking out loud LOL). Hang in there....it'll come.

Good luck!