I did it! Advice for New Grads still searching

[newgradchad]

I finally made it! Exactly 3 months and 1 day since I passed my NCLEX, I found a job as an RN on a telemetry floor which is really luck of me and hard to believe. I wanted to share something that I learned. This may not apply to all hospitals but this is what the recruiter and manager told me:

• No 1-page resume. It doesn't have enough information about what I've done in clinical and the amount of effort I've done for the organizations I've been involved with
  
• Don't apply for all and any position. The recruiter was impressed that I only applied to their telemetry floor. It showed that I was focused and knew what I wanted to do
  
• Be confident. They know that you're a new graduate with no nursing experience. You have to prove to them why you would be worth hiring.
  
• Do the research. I think they were impressed by how much I knew about the hospital's work and progress
  

Not going to lie, I did get some inside help in getting an interview for this position, but I also had to be persistent with the recruiter and still do research to impress the manager. I was confident and honest and willing to really learn.

I know the process is long, tedious and emotionally draining, but don't give up! Someday you will make it! Stay confident and be proud of everything you've accomplished! Best of luck to everyone still searching. Don't give up!

[quietpatty]

3 months is impressive. Congratulations and best of luck! :yeah:

[TLS11]

CONGRATS newgradchad. I am glad your methods helped you get a job.

My process of landing a new grad position was different than yours. My resume was only 1 page and I applied to multiple positions within the hospital I eventually got hired at. I interviewed for two different ICU's and got hired for the second one. I received a call for a third interview in the same hospital for the GI/Telemetry floor but I had already started my ICU position.

I definitely agree with your third and fourth suggestions.

Congrats again!

[axel30]

I also just landed a new grad job on a tele unit. I've completed my administrative orientation and will work my first shift on Sunday. I live and now work in San Francisco where these jobs are incredible hard to come by. I feel like I won the lottery (except I have to work for the money;)).

What made the difference for me was networking! I got this job because I knew someone who knew a nurse manager. It wasn't the nurse manager who ended up hiring me, but that connection got me in the door. I've lived in SF for years and know lots of people. I worked every connection I had, and that was a lot.

I kept my resume to one page, even though it was difficult. I don't know how much of a difference it makes if your resume is one or two pages. I also applied to every job that seemed like even a remote possibility.