I CANNOT GET A JOB!

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I made it through the associate RN program with a 3.58. I passed NCLEX with 75 questions. I have been a CNA in a level I trauma center for five years and I have a great work record. But, I CANNOT GET A JOB! I am in the northeast. Is it easier anyplace else? There are lots of jobs listed but none are hiring new grads.

HELP

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

Same here in Jacksonville, FL.

Congrats on your great academic record and your quick NCLEX. I hope you find something soon.

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Thanks.

I spoke with management yesterday. They said that they are getting 70 applicants, all experienced nurses, for every opening. A TICU nurse who is moving to the area with her doctor husband just took an entry level nursing job because it was the only job she could get. Management says it's the worst situation that they've ever seen and it is not expected to change for at least a year.

I was told that if there are jobs for new grads, they would be in New Mexico or Arizona. Does anyone out there know of any jobs in those areas?

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

One thing I just thought of--have you looked at the Indian Health Service? I don't know what's going on now, but they used to hire new grads and offered some loan forgiveness. The conditions are terrible from what I hear, but it may be worth it.

Good luck.

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Thanks for the suggestion. I think you have to be reimbursable, a nurse practitioner or PA or MD to take advantage of the government service program, but I will check again. It's a good idea.

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I have been looking for a RN Position for over a year now-not exactly something to keep me in a good mood.

Don't where or how to turn either. And no one to help!

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

No, you don't have to be an MD or ARNP. The IHS needs staff for reservations and Alaska. You need to be a licensed nurse and it helps if you can prove tribal affiliation. And they do still offer loan forgiveness. I had a friend who went through nursing school on an IHS scholarship and then agreed to work two years on a reservation, but don't remember where now. He had proof of 1/16 Native American "blood," I think on his mother's side. Check out the website. They have lots of openings listed and few of them specify that experience is required. Just be aware that nursing in Native American populations is very difficult and it's not for everyone, but will likely get you some great experience.

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I have been looking for a RN Position for over a year now-not exactly something to keep me in a good mood.

Don't where or how to turn either. And no one to help!

Same here, been looking for a hospital job for over a year, and have probably filled out over a 100 applications, online and some in person. I have looked past 50 miles where I live, and still nothing. I don't think they even look at your transcript or whether you passed the NCLEX the first time. If you are new grad or without any hospital acute care experience, often they don't even look at further credentials, and ignore your resume.

People see to relocate, but it's not that easy for people who have a spouse, or family, to just take off and leave. Not everyone's spouses can get a job in their particular field in another location that easily.

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Kate,

Thanks for the info on IHS. I will follow up on it. Is it possible to get an IHS position with at least three months mentoring? I had terrible clinicals and don't know how to do much of anything. Or do you just get thrown into a situation with many patients and no help?

Mia,

are you in New Jersey? So is it bad in NJ, NY? I am sorry that you have having such a hard time also. How about the huge hospitals in NYC?

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Kate,

Thanks for the info on IHS. I will follow up on it. Is it possible to get an IHS position with at least three months mentoring? I had terrible clinicals and don't know how to do much of anything. Or do you just get thrown into a situation with many patients and no help?

Mia,

are you in New Jersey? So is it bad in NJ, NY? I am sorry that you have having such a hard time also. How about the huge hospitals in NYC?

In in north NJ, very close to NYC. I have applied to practically every single hospital in my area and farther out west, each hospital about a few times over the past year. I have also applied to all the big hospitals in NYC, and even the smaller ones.

The problem with the huge hospitals like Columbia Pres, and Mt. Sinai, etc. is that they only take online applications, and they say they receive hundreds of applications daily, so it's very competitive.

I also spoke to one recruiter who told me that while it's impressive that I have a two bachelors, a BSN in nursing, RN, that I still don't have enough acute care experience, and the new grad positions are very few and taken up quickly. Sometimes it's thru referrals, or just luck. Also, alot of hospitals in NYC have a hiring freeze, as well as NJ. There are tons of openings online for nurses,but most are for experienced nurses.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.
Kate,

Thanks for the info on IHS. I will follow up on it. Is it possible to get an IHS position with at least three months mentoring? I had terrible clinicals and don't know how to do much of anything. Or do you just get thrown into a situation with many patients and no help?

Sorry, no idea what the orientation is like at all. But I can tell you that there is a lot of alcoholism and drug abuse on the reservations, coupled with high unemployment and a sense of hopelessness among the NA population on the reservations, which is what makes it so hard to staff there. Best thing to do is apply and see what happens.

Good luck

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Hi everyone,

Here is a good link for new grad jobs

J

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