How long did it take you to get a job as a new grad?

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Specializes in FNP.

Hi everyone,

I am new grad nurse and passed my boards in June. I went to a prestigious nursing program in Boston, was a PCA, and have had no success finding a job! I know it is taking many new grads a while to find a job. I think out of all the graduating students in my class I am probably the only one or one of the very few without a job. I am just wondering how long it took everyone after they graduated to find a job? I am trying to be patient and proactive about finding a job ie emailing nurse managers, calling HR, networking, and have been in touch with the dean of nursing at my school hoping she can help! Nothing has worked. I have tried Boston hospitals, community hospitals and rehabs. Relocating is not too much of an option for me right now, however, if this keeps up in a couple of months I will consider that. I am starting to lose confidence and hope and feel really dumb when people ask me "why don't you have a job?" because ALL of my friends even those not in nursing have jobs. Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

Hi AC. I'm in the same boat as you are...going on six months without a job or a single real prospect. I am currently the only one in my circle of friends without a job. I graduated Magna Cum Laude, honors and awards, 3 PCA positions at different hospitals to gain experience, and excellent references. I feel like I'm blacklisted or something. I know exactly what you mean about networking and being proactive, and the door has been slammed in my face every single time. I've had big contacts at Boston hospitals trying to help me without success because of budget cutbacks and the overwhelming number of new grads. Most hospitals weren't even able to hire all of their own PCAs into RN positions. I am considering drastic measures such as the new grad residency program at Dartmouth Hitchcock (VERY easy to get hired as a new grad there but a bit of a pay cut ($24.03/hour for day shift), which means commuting 130 miles from my house 3 days x week. I would do this willingly if I could find someone to carpool with from here because it's too dangerous to drive that far alone. I would definitely fall asleep at the wheel.

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Specializes in Still a medic at heart but ICU, M/S, SVU.

I know that this is probably something you don't want to hear or take into consideration, but what about a nursing home? If you can't find a job anywhere, I would do what it takes to pay the bills. Waiting on a hospital while doing nothing in the meantime will not help your mentality, spirituality, health and finances. You could explain to any prospective hospital employers in the future why you chose it for the meantime. In this hard economy I would take what you could get.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.
Hi everyone,

I am new grad nurse and passed my boards in June. I went to a prestigious nursing program in Boston, was a PCA, and have had no success finding a job! I know it is taking many new grads a while to find a job. I think out of all the graduating students in my class I am probably the only one or one of the very few without a job. I am just wondering how long it took everyone after they graduated to find a job? I am trying to be patient and proactive about finding a job ie emailing nurse managers, calling HR, networking, and have been in touch with the dean of nursing at my school hoping she can help! Nothing has worked. I have tried Boston hospitals, community hospitals and rehabs. Relocating is not too much of an option for me right now, however, if this keeps up in a couple of months I will consider that. I am starting to lose confidence and hope and feel really dumb when people ask me "why don't you have a job?" because ALL of my friends even those not in nursing have jobs. Thanks so much!

I graduated on May 17th, passed my boards July 8th, and didn't find/start a job until September 4th. I now have three more shifts until I go off orientation.

However, I was looking for a job since late Jan/early Feb at least, and started seriously applying to places in March-ish. It's been a long haul, and this seems to be the case for most new nurses in this area.

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Specializes in FNP.

I didn't seriously start to look until sometime around June so I guess that is where I messed up. I'm gonna keep on trucking though...

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.
I didn't seriously start to look until sometime around June so I guess that is where I messed up. I'm gonna keep on trucking though...

It honestly didn't make a difference that I started to look so early. I ended up getting a job at a SNF that I used to work at after calling and setting up a meeting with the DON, I walked in to fill out an application & she re-hired me on the spot (this was late August) for their rehab/short term unit, which is in the process of expanding. I felt like all the work I had done applying to hospitals was all for nothing & a waste of my time. Timing is the key, I guess. I just happened to think to call this DON at a good time.

Good luck in your search, hang in there.

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I passed the NCLEX in August and applied for hospital positions first. Twenty-one hospitals and nursing homes later, all I've been offered is a per diem position at a nursing home with a ratio of 46 patients to one nurse. Also, orientation is a whopping THREE days, and the pay is nothing to rant and rave about. I'm happy to be a new grad with a job after being continually turned away for having "no experience." I feel like I won't stay at this facility for very long, but I'm praying that I will enjoy the patients and staff and tolerate the job for atleast a year. Is that wishful thinking or what?! :chuckle

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.
I passed the NCLEX in August and applied for hospital positions first. Twenty-one hospitals and nursing homes later, all I've been offered is a per diem position at a nursing home with a ratio of 46 patients to one nurse. Also, orientation is a whopping THREE days, and the pay is nothing to rant and rave about. I'm happy to be a new grad with a job after being continually turned away for having "no experience." I feel like I won't stay at this facility for very long, but I'm praying that I will enjoy the patients and staff and tolerate the job for atleast a year. Is that wishful thinking or what?! :chuckle

Three days?? Yikes.

I've gotten 5 1/2 weeks on orientation (in an LTC facility, as well, but for short term/rehab), and I am still apprehensive about being on my own.

IMHO, I'd be nervous about taking that job, even though the market is so tight.

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Oh i am so there with you all. Finding the same story on my end. I ended up taking a job at a nursing home and will have had almost 6wks orientation before i'm done. Its just so frustrating. Thinking of relocated next year if i have to. This whole nursing thing has been nothing but a struggle and battle up hill and i'm getting tired or struggling with it. Every time i hear there is a nursing shortage i want to blast the newspaper article. Got the same responses from my friends too about "how come you dont have a job yet with all the nursing shortage's out there?" try and explain to them its because i dont have experiance for those jobs....blah blah blah. They dont get it.

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

I feel ya goodspirits. I graduated in May and still don't have a job.

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Specializes in Ortho/Neurosurgical.

I guess I should be happy that my employer now already has me for the next 2 years of my life. From what I understand, in Boston, if you have experience, it is a different situation and jobs overflow...it's just those with no experience that are having a tough time. right?

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

Graduated in May, passed NCLEX-RN in June, and began the job I'd already been hired for before graduation in July of 2006.

The best time to look for new grad positions is BEFORE graduation. Now you'll need to wait for the next graduation time period if you want a new grad preceptorship.

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