How many 2010 grads still looking?

ICU_RN2 · Oct 12, 2011

I graduated in May 2010 as well, and in PA (western, at least) new grads aren't having that difficult of a time.

Maybe try some of the larger hospitals in PA as well. I can tell you that interviewing and moving could be costly, as they are not offering any sort of incentives.

beast master RN · Oct 12, 2011

i would keep applying at ltc / nursing homes , they love rns and you should really nothave that hard off a time getting a job there, go in get the application, fill it out, and go strait the the DON office and say im a RN with home health experiences and i WANT to WORK here , BE CONFIDENT!, ill do anything to get my foot in the door, ill take call work any shift and im teachable . i can almost guarantee if you do that at 5 nursing homes you will get a job, and to be honest hospital are kinda over rated my 2 cents

Mom2boysRN · Oct 12, 2011

I don't have a hospital job yet. I live in the same general area you do. I started working at an AL before I graduated with my LPN license I got half way through my RN. Once I got my RN I applied like crazy at hospitals. At a job fair at a local hospital I was advised to get into skilled care and then after getting some experience there then they would more seriously consider me. I was told the only new grads they generally hired were ones that worked for them as cnas. Most of the people I graduated with in 12/10 have some sort of nursing job, most are not in hospitals. Keep at it, make sure you have a good looking resume, and don't lose hope. It's a horrible job market in every career field so us new grads can't be picky about where we start off, but we can get to where we want to be, or maybe we will find a completely different direction for our careers that we wouldn't have thought of had it been easier to get into a hospital.

bossfrog · Oct 12, 2011

Beast Master RN: I know some think hospital work is overrated, but I need to get hospital experience. I won't be working LTC on a long-term basis. My goal is to work in pediatrics, ER or OR, possibly an RNFA. Yeah right.

astn · Oct 12, 2011

This isn't going to make you feel any better, but from my job search several years ago, I remember a very nice HR rep advising me that if I didn't get a job 6 months out, I wasn't going to. Once the next class graduates, you move to the bottom of the list. You've got the exact same knowledge as the newer people, but it's fresher in their brain. You may want to consider either moving to an area where they are desperate for help, going back to school for a higher degree in nursing, or if neither are an option, an alternate career field.

Either way, good luck, and sorry.

caliotter3 · Oct 12, 2011

For future reference, it does not take the nursing supervisor to get an order changed by the doctor. You should have called him yourself, in the daytime, of course, then you write up the order and send it to the office. Another avenue is to have the mother give the med the way she wants to. Or, you can give the med the way the mother wants it and document that you did this "per PCG instructions".

beast master RN · Oct 12, 2011

getting a job and working some were to build a resume is better than chasing dreams and getting no were , a paycheck doesn't hurt either , sometimes pride can kill , not wanting to "lower your self" to work in a ltc center is silly , not saying thats you , but eventually gota get a start some were , you be surprised what kinda doors open once you have a job

Good Morning, Gil · Oct 12, 2011

I graduated in June 2010, as well, and relocated to an area that was not hiring near as much as where I had gone to school (relocated for my hubby's career). If I had just stayed where I had gone to school, I definitely would have had no problem getting a hospital job, and maybe even have a few different options. It really is just location, location, location.

I did find a job where we relocated to, though....it definitely was not a hospital job or my dream job by any means since those were not available to new grads here, but it paid the bills, just like you did with home health. I learned time management and all of the new nurse stuff, as well. Then, 1 year later, I got a job in the hospital after putting in my time in non-acute care. It really was just the economy, too. The hospital that hired me now just didn't have the open positions that it does now. I feel very thankful to have gotten into a well-respected hospital.

And, I want to say, do not give up! Your home health experience was not a waste. Yes, I know you said it was routine, but you learned. You learned how to deal with difficult families tactfully and caring for a very fragile child. You did nothing wrong...I would have done the same thing. You can't just give into unreasonable people's (well actually) it was an illegal request. You explained why (I have been there, too...people just assume that you can just give them TUMS and things since they're OTC, and then I politely explain that well, if your sodium bicarb is high, and I give you tums...well...lol, I don't actually say that, but I just explain that OTC meds can sometimes interact w/prescribed meds and have harmful effects, etc, and usually ppl are reasonable, just a lack of knowledge thing.

Just keep trying, and play up your experience in home health. Don't go to your interview saying, well, "I just did home health and watched TV lol." Say I cared for a medically fragile child, vent, etc, etc. Your experience is perfect for a peds position in a hospital! If you have the option to relocate, then you might just need to do that, but try non-traditional ways of applying first (after sending in your app online). It certainly couldn't hurt...you could just show up at the hospital w/a folder in hand to give them; if you haven't heard anything by now, the worst they can say is...umm...why are you here? lol. Or try directly calling the nurse manager or e-mailing them if you can find their e-mail online.

MisLead in Kentucky · Oct 12, 2011

In the same boat as well. I feel like the ADN Degree I received would be more useful as toilet paper. I have not been at it as long as you guys - I graduated in May 2011. I have been applying for jobs since April. I have received zero calls for interviews. I have received many 'Sorry position filled" and "Did not meet minimum qualifications" replies via email. I didn't even take the NCLEX (I passed) until last week because I could not afford to plunk down the almost $500 it took with all the necessary fees. I feel mislead by the crappy University I attended and specifically by the Nursing Department @ said school. Had I known in 2009 before committing to the program that 5 months after graduation I would be jobless still - I would have not put myself in further debt and the agonizing pain of Nursing School. I am 40 yrs old and a single mom. I work in an office in a very low paying job. I had always dreamed of being a nurse. I wanted to better myself so that I could give my child a better life - to show her the importance of advancing yourself educationally wise. WTH was I thinking when I decided to be a Nurse - this has been the biggest mistake I have made. I sacrificed time with my child for this crap. This field has been over glorified and dangled, and poured down too many peoples throats. There are too many new grads. My nursing program does not give a dang if you find a job - they just want you to pass the NCLEX. Do you know why???? Job security for them....they need bodies in their program. My institution of higher learning (bahaha crap school) if 5 people fail the NCLEX they are in trouble with the BON. They only care that we pass the NCLEX and as soon as we do - it is bye bye sucker - we got what we needed from you! If it wasn't for us dreamers out their wanting to be a nurse - they would not have a job. They recruit people who do not need to be a nurse to plump their program and holy crap some of these people actually make it through and even pass the NCLEX. Nobody wants new grads because so many schools are putting out undesirable nurses. New grads are liabilities waiting to happen! They do not want to have to take the time or spend the $$ it takes to train a new grad anymore. Those of us that actually went to school to be a nurse because we want to help are screwed because too many are going to school to be a nurse for the money only. That is why they want nurses with experience - in hopes of weeding out the garbage and we all suffer. What really sucks for those of us right now wanting & needing a job so we can get that "experience" so that we can actually help people - when and if this economy gets better & people start hiring - we have forgotten a ton of what we learned in school and we are even more undesirable. I am sick of people asking me "Did you find a job yet???" I want to kick them between the legs and scream NOOOOO! I feel mislead and duped!!!! Walmart here I come!!!!!

Good Morning, Gil · Oct 12, 2011

Actually, MisLead in Kentucky...do not give up! I will say what stood out in your post is that you just took the NCLEX; honestly, that is probably part of the reason people haven't called you (not the entire reason...like you said, they want experienced nurses). But, they want to wait until you have passed the nclex b/c that is one more thing for them to consider (if you fail, then they wasted time interviewing you).

I know it's disillusioning that there are no jobs, but you can do it! Keep trying all of your avenues....I know some people in my class started out in dialysis and loved it. Try anything and everything..I am sure you have, but like I said, now that you passed the nclex, you may find it is much different! home health (if they give you a very good orientation), dialysis, ltc, rehab, psych...all of these usually hire new grads. just keep trying for the hospital, too! the economy has changed the outlook for new grads; that's really all there is to it. The hospitals that did not manage their money as well don't have as much money to hire (that's just my opinion not based on fact; I see many hospitals that can hire, and many hospitals that are laying off so I just deduce that it was mismanaged). Anyway, I received those rejections, too...the "sorry, others more qualified," etc, and you are not alone. Many nurses have if that helps any. I got my dream job (after working in a non-dream job for a year) and am now very happy, so it is possible. Just keep at it.

bossfrog · Oct 12, 2011

This isn't going to make you feel any better, but from my job search several years ago, I remember a very nice HR rep advising me that if I didn't get a job 6 months out, I wasn't going to. Once the next class graduates, you move to the bottom of the list. You've got the exact same knowledge as the newer people, but it's fresher in their brain. You may want to consider either moving to an area where they are desperate for help, going back to school for a higher degree in nursing, or if neither are an option, an alternate career field.
Either way, good luck, and sorry.

Well, I do have one very small ace in the hole that gives me some more longevity than the 6 months. I have a B.A. in Behavioral Science (essentially a psychology degree that doesn't qualify for advancement to a master's program in psych). Technically, I'm still employed with my home health agency, so I can put that as continuous employment on applications. I just currently have no hours available. They told me I'll remain on their payroll until I give them my resignation, so that's a big plus.