How are new grads doing out there?

mzaur · Nov 22, 2013

Would love to see some responses from NPs

UCAFblue · Nov 22, 2013

I'm a BSN new grad who graduated in May 2013. I've applied to around 150 jobs all across the country. Out of those I've had one interview out of state which was for a regular (not new graduate) RN spot and they ended up going with someone who has experience. Other than that I generally never hear anything back, or just get rejection emails. I've tried contacting hiring managers too as I've heard that sometimes helps, but rarely get a response of any kind from that either. I'm getting so frustrated and am at a loss for what to do...I know the longer I go without a job the harder it is going to be to find someone willing to hire me. I'm still hopeful for my dream job, but I'd be happy with just about anything at this point.

sourapril · Nov 23, 2013

UCAFblue, try Maxim healthcare. I got my first RN job as a flu nurse after I graduated. They also run home health, wellness clinic. No benefits but at least they accept new grads and you get some experience. Are you only interested in working in hospitals? I may have other leads for you if you are not restricted to hospital nursing. PM me if you like.

SE_BSN_RN, BSN · Nov 30, 2013

I graduated in June and I am with my same employer. I just got a bump in pay from LPN to RN. I have 2 part time jobs in HHC, and one of those jobs my hours got cut bu 4 hours every week. I can't even get an interview for a hospital. I am very frustrated! My dream job is L&D. Only reason I became a nurse. I'd even work in mom/baby or NICU if SOMEONE would hire me!

I was told my LPN experience counts, and that joining AWHONN and having my NRP would help. Nope.

evieinco · Nov 30, 2013

If you aren't opposed to going up to Cheyenne, WY, the hospital there has their new grad residency open right now. Job Search Cheyenne Regional Medical Center | Cheyenne Regional Medical Center - We are more than 175 physicians, 1,700 employees and 400 volunteers, all dedicated to exceptional patient care and outstanding patient satisfaction. We are Cheyenne Regi click on nursing then scroll until you see the nurse residency position. I'm not sure how many new grads they will take but thought I'd throw it out there. I live in Ft. Collins and drive to Cheyenne. I graduated Dec. '11, did a year in LTC/Rehab, before I was offered a position at CRMC. I've been there almost a year now. I have a coworker that commutes from Lafayette and there are a bunch of us from Ft Collins that commute. Maybe move north for awhile?

hope3456, ASN, RN · Dec 2, 2013

And if you don't get into CRMC I've seen some L&D openings in some of the smaller hospitals in Wyoming, as well. I do know they hire new grads.

libby11 · Dec 3, 2013

I took the first job I was offered. It is not the last thing I wanted to be doing, but also not the first. ADNs with no true RN experience will struggle to find a job in CO. It is NOT impossible. I found a job after 2 weeks of being in Colorado and seriously applying. (I'm an ADN with 11 months CNA experience). I had to accept a position in home care. Hospitals reject you pretty quick, not a single hospital contacted me for interview. I interviewed with 1 home care agency and was turned down because 11 months of CNA experience was not enough--they said 'per regulations,' they needed a year. I interviewed at a nursing home; they never contacted me back. I was contacted by two other nursing homes to interview, but turned them down because I had accepted a home care position (the 2nd home care company I interviewed with). I also was contacted to interview with a nursing home/rehab center that's part of a national chain where I had done my time as a CNA. They set up the interview, then cancelled because I had no RN experience. I am pretty happy with the home care agency that I accepted a position with. It is a smaller company and they work with Children's Hospital pretty closely. I probably sent between 50-100 applications/resumes total. It is not necessarily my first choice of what I wanted to do, but it is an RN job and I will work towards getting where I want to be. I start my BSN in January.

That is my story. Look for a job before you come, network as much as you can. If you can get a year or two of acute experience (and a BSN wouldn't hurt) before you move here, you'll be in a better place. A first job as an RN in Colorado is NOT impossible, but it's not going to be easy. You are going to need to be flexible. Look at smaller companies, nursing homes and home care. You will have a better chance of getting a job in a rural market. Get as far away from Denver as you can, if possible. Good luck!

libby11 · Dec 3, 2013

I graduated in August of 2013. I got my license on October 22. I moved to Colorado on October 24. I took the first job I was offered, 2 weeks and 1 day after moving to CO (from WI), November 8. It is not the last thing I wanted to be doing, but also not the first--I'm doing pediatric home care (full time with benefits after 60 days). And, even though I've just done training so far (slow process, long story), I was already offered and signed the paperwork for a promotion. ADNs with no true RN experience will struggle to find a job in CO. It is NOT impossible. I found a job after 2 weeks of being in Colorado and seriously applying. (I'm an ADN with 11 months CNA experience). I had to accept a position in home care, yes, but I have a full time job to start on loans and my BSN and get my RN experience.

Hospitals reject you pretty quick, not a single hospital contacted me for interview. I interviewed with 1 home care agency and was turned down because 11 months of CNA experience was not enough--they said 'per regulations,' they needed a year. I interviewed at a nursing home; they never contacted me back. I was contacted by two other nursing homes to interview, but turned them down because I had accepted a home care position (the 2nd home care company I interviewed with). I also was contacted to interview with a nursing home/rehab center that's part of a national chain where I had done my time as a CNA. They set up the interview, then cancelled because I had no RN experience. I am pretty happy with the home care agency that I accepted a position with. It is a smaller company and they work with Children's Hospital pretty closely. I probably sent between 50-100 applications/resumes total. It is not necessarily my first choice of what I wanted to do, but it is an RN job and I will work towards getting where I want to be. I start my BSN in January.

That is my story. Look for a job before you come to CO or before you graduate, network as much as you can. If you can get a year or two of acute experience (and a BSN wouldn't hurt) before you move here [i know a lot of people are looking to move here from out of state], you'll be in a better place. A first job as an RN in Colorado is NOT impossible, but it's not going to be easy. You are going to need to be flexible. Look at smaller companies, nursing homes and home care. You will have a better chance of getting a job in a rural market. Get as far away from Denver as you can, if possible. Good luck!

sourapril · Dec 3, 2013

I had very similar experience after I graduated in May 2013. Sent hundreds of applications to hospitals and nursing homes. No call back from either. I didn't apply to home health agencies because I wasn't interested it. I did have great success with local health departments. Every single one asked for an interview and I finally landed a great job in November. Took almost another month to get me started on my job. I am very grateful and very happy about how things turned out for me. Yes, it took me 6 months to find a job but it's the job I want and I am excited to go to work everyday.

I graduated in August of 2013. I got my license on October 22. I moved to Colorado on October 24. I took the first job I was offered, 2 weeks and 1 day after moving to CO (from WI), November 8. It is not the last thing I wanted to be doing, but also not the first--I'm doing pediatric home care (full time with benefits after 60 days). And, even though I've just done training so far (slow process, long story), I was already offered and signed the paperwork for a promotion. ADNs with no true RN experience will struggle to find a job in CO. It is NOT impossible. I found a job after 2 weeks of being in Colorado and seriously applying. (I'm an ADN with 11 months CNA experience). I had to accept a position in home care, yes, but I have a full time job to start on loans and my BSN and get my RN experience.
Hospitals reject you pretty quick, not a single hospital contacted me for interview. I interviewed with 1 home care agency and was turned down because 11 months of CNA experience was not enough--they said 'per regulations,' they needed a year. I interviewed at a nursing home; they never contacted me back. I was contacted by two other nursing homes to interview, but turned them down because I had accepted a home care position (the 2nd home care company I interviewed with). I also was contacted to interview with a nursing home/rehab center that's part of a national chain where I had done my time as a CNA. They set up the interview, then cancelled because I had no RN experience. I am pretty happy with the home care agency that I accepted a position with. It is a smaller company and they work with Children's Hospital pretty closely. I probably sent between 50-100 applications/resumes total. It is not necessarily my first choice of what I wanted to do, but it is an RN job and I will work towards getting where I want to be. I start my BSN in January.
That is my story. Look for a job before you come to CO or before you graduate, network as much as you can. If you can get a year or two of acute experience (and a BSN wouldn't hurt) before you move here [i know a lot of people are looking to move here from out of state], you'll be in a better place. A first job as an RN in Colorado is NOT impossible, but it's not going to be easy. You are going to need to be flexible. Look at smaller companies, nursing homes and home care. You will have a better chance of getting a job in a rural market. Get as far away from Denver as you can, if possible. Good luck!

nlawrence · Dec 3, 2013

It is definitely NOT impossible! I graduated last December, took a 5 month vacation and studied a TON for NCLEX, passed and applied to the first job I found (one that I DID want) and got a call back 18 hours later... they interviewed me 2 weeks later and I was hired 3 days after that!

P.S. I messed around and applied to one position before graduating and I had an interview before nursing school was out, I had to drive in to CO from Kansas... Didn't even come close to getting that one (Denver Health) but it was great practice!