help :/ Pass boards 4 months ago and still no jobs

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 4, 2015

It's a tough market for new grads, even more so in the bigger cities such as New York. Many new grads look 6-12 months or even longer just for ANY job.

Volunter work is good because it does add something to the resume (which looks a lot better than having a big gap on your resume which could as easily mean you were sitting on the couch eating Doritos as you were looking with no luck) and lets you network. Volunteer work helped me get noticed.

But volunteer work doesn't count as paid experience, so when you put it on your resume be sure it's clear that your work is volunteer/unpaid. Also, if you do decide to volunteer, actually volunteer: be willing to cheerfully help with whatever they need you to, even if it's a not a nursing task. If you're there to volunteer but are doing nothing but schmoozing to get a job, people will tire of you fast.

Also, it's good that you started on the BSN. Many facilities are going "BSN preferred/required." It doesn't mean you can't get hired with a ADN or diploma, but it makes it a lot tougher.

And of course, the usual "don't expect the dream job right out of the gate, think outside of the acute care box, be flexible about hours/location/specialty/etc."

Best of luck!

Red Kryptonite · May 4, 2015

You might want to consider more affordable alternatives for your BSN than Chamberlain.

caliotter3 · May 4, 2015

Can you work as a CNA in NY? If so, that is paid patient care, again better than nothing. A good volunteer opportunity is to become a hospice volunteer. That could help you with getting hospice nurse employment. You should also broaden your search zone to increase your chances.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 5, 2015

Besides volunteer work is there anything else anybody recommends me to do please? thanks Any input would be greatly appreciated.

1. If you have not done so already, start applying to positions outside the acute care hospital. Apply to nursing homes, hospices, home health companies, private duty companies, psychiatric hospitals, jails, prisons and group homes. Websites such as CraigsList and Indeed are filled with listings for jobs that are off the beaten path.

2. If possible, relocate. You are in one of the most difficult nursing employment markets in the US, and your lack of a BSN degree does not help the situation.

Good luck to you!

~Shrek~ · May 5, 2015

First of all, 4 months is nothing. Most new nurses take 6-12 months to get their first job, so hang in there. Second of all, Are you applying to rural areas? Are you applying to "bottom of the pile" type jobs like SNF and prison work? I have worked in SNF type settings so I would not recommend it but if you really need work it's always an option. Are you only applying to new grad programs or to anything that needs a nurse?

Now on to your resume: is it too pompous? A lot of places just want a nurse who goes to work and comes home without asking too many questions or complaining too much. On the opposite side of the spectrum, is your resume not strong enough? Does your resume show an interest in nursing (eg PCA work, volunteer work in nursing settings, etc.)? Are you willing to work as a PCA somewhere while looking for a job?

The ADN thing is also a hinderance to getting a job. Everyone wants BSN now. But I know ADN nurses are getting jobs too.

turtlesRcool · May 13, 2015

I don't know your personal situation, but most 22-year-olds are pretty mobile. If you don't HAVE to stay in NY, I'd suggest expanding your search to areas of the country with less competition. After you work a few years elsewhere, you can always return to NY, but as an experienced nurse.

At a nursing conference last fall, I overheard some ADN students talking to a nurse recruiter for one of the hospitals in CT. The recruiter's advice was to bridge into a BSN program, and make sure to mention that when applying for positions. She even suggested including copies of acceptance letters and course registrations along with job applications. Now I have no idea if this is something that works in other places or if it's just something that could give an ADN grad a leg up in that particular hospital, but it does sound logical that you'd be more desirable if you can show a commitment to ongoing education. You wouldn't be on par with a BSN grad, but it might give you an advantage over other ADN grads.

And volunteering is a good idea. Ideally, you'd find a volunteer position you can use as an "in" to a facility where you'd like to work as a nurse. Bust as it's not an ideal world, you may need to just take whatever you can find. In general, something is better than nothing to keep your skills from getting too rusty and avoid a big gap in your resume.