Hey yall. I want to start a support thread for us unemployed New Grads in California. I've recently lost a lot of my hope and optimism for finding a New Grad position. I graduated in May with my BSN and I've applied for about over 100 positions at this point and I've gotten one interview. The rejection and lack of options has taken a toll on me. I literally made an Excel spreadsheet of almost every New Grad program with information/dates/links in the state PLUS almost every hospital in the state with links to their job listings that I check multiple times a week with notes from their HR dept about if they hire New Grads. Part of what makes it worst is when "outsiders", I know they mean well, mention oh why don't you apply at this hospital or be a traveler or there's a shortage you'll get a job soon, etc. You just want to scream I realized the best way to get through this is with the support of those in your shoes. Although we are in competition with each other we can help each other through the tears, hissy fits, and psychotic laughter.
I'm not saying we all need to meet in groups in our own areas (it's nice it comes about). But I want this to be a place for us to vent and support each other. If you're like me and you're so depressed that your mom gave you one of your Christmas presents early (It was a Tweety Bird robe) to try and cheer you up then please come and I have a virtual box of Kleenex and a pat on the back for you.
One thing I learned in nursing school is that icebreakers can really do good sometimes so you're welcome to use the following to introduce yourself.
Hello my name is kenderella89 and I'm an unemployed New Grad.
License type: BSN
Time out of school: 8 months
# of positions applied to date: a little over 100
Dream RN position: NICU however I would love to start in Med Surg as well
Hospital experience: No but I have over 300 volunteer hours and I worked for the California Dept. of Public Health for 3 years
Where do you live: The Sacramento area although I just moved from the bay area
What are you doing now: Volunteering at a daycare trying to get a hospital volunteer position as well
Favorite color: Purple
How you cope with unemployment: I bake. A LOT. My friends' and family's waistlines hate me.
You guys I woke up in such a grouchy mood today Or hormonal. Whatever you want to call it. I didn’t feel like job searching or doing nothing. I was just depressed and angry that it’s a New Year and again nothing. I was not a happy cupcake. Until my little cousin ended up hurting herself a little earlier. She’s okay and it was nothing a little ice pack and a Hello Kitty band aid couldn’t fix. She asked me if she needed a shot. I told her no and brought her some orange juice. She hugged me and kissed me on the check and told me I’m the best nurse ever. I looked like this on the outside but in the inside I felt . I made my behind go upstairs and I ended up applying to a few jobs. I’m going to find a job. It may not be today or tomorrow, but I’m the best nurse ever and the best job ever is just waiting for me.
Sweet story!
We've all got our up and down days... although, sometimes, it may seem like there's more down days.
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.
Hey if any of you guys are familar with Michele Le, the nursing student that was murdered and kidnapped during clinicals in the East Bay her story is on Dateline right now.
Hey if any of you guys are familar with Michele Le, the nursing student that was murdered and kidnapped during clinicals in the East Bay her story is on Dateline right now.
Time out of school: ADN 3 years now, BSN one month.
# of positions applied to date: around 100
Dream RN position: ER
Hospital experience: No
Where do you live: southern california
What are you doing now: applying, applying, applying...
Favorite color: yellow and orange
How you cope with unemployment: read, watching tv, going walk with my dog..
I think I am the worst case now. What should I do now?
All hospitals say that I am not considered as new grad because I have been working as a RN and graduated school 3 years ago.
I went to community collge and graduated with ADN. I applied so many hospitals, but never got calls from them.
I applied local adult day care center. It was the only choice I have. I worked there for two years.
I was going to school for my BSN at the same time. I finally graduated with BSN last December 2012.
I am applying all the new grad opening but they say I am not considered as candidate for new grad position.
So what? Some classmates and friends say I should keep going, pursue my dream, going back to school to get MSN......
I am really down lately. I spent so much money and time to get RN, some stuff useless certificates....
I feel like those lisencse and certificates are useless. What should I do?
Besides, I applied home health and skilled nurse failities, but never got any calls from them too.
They say I don't have acute care setting experiences. What should I do?
Working in local clinic and getting 10 dollars per hour is only choice for me? 10 dollars???
Should I change my career or Should I keep going?
My mom say I should go back to school. You know what? I don't have money. I can't afford it anymore.
I am broke paying my ADN, BSN all total 6 years of tuition, car, books, housing...
I am tired of going back to school. Really, what should I do now?
You are not alone. I too, am considered way too old to be a new grad, despite my never having worked as an RN, all because of when I graduated. Hospitals like the fresher new grads, but what is left for us old new grads?!
Besides still applying for jobs and praying for a break, what else can I do but go back to school (despite me drowning in loans already)? It's either that or start competing with others to find retail work (since it seems like finding a nursing job is way beyond my reach right now).
I've had no luck with nursing jobs so far and there are way more days where I think, What the heck is wrong with me?
I wish I had more concrete options and solutions for us old new grads.
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.
I’m an unemployed New Grad.
License type: BSN
Time out of school: ADN 3 years now, BSN one month.
# of positions applied to date: around 100
Dream RN position: ER
Hospital experience: No
Where do you live: southern california
What are you doing now: applying, applying, applying...
Favorite color: yellow and orange
How you cope with unemployment: read, watching tv, going walk with my dog..
Hey ehjoanne! Welcome and I'm sorry you're feeling so down about not getting a job. I do not think you should go back to school. That's more debt and stress and time away from the job market full time. A MSN will not give you an edge especially since you will still have no acute care. I'm glad you have a job, but we know it might not lead to where you want. Are you happy at your job or just not happy with the pay?
Hi! kendrella89. Thanks for replying. I am not currently working. Some clinics that I know give RN 10 dollars per hour. I used to work for adult day care center. It was okay. They cut down money and time now. I don't want to go back. I think I will forget all nursing skills there if I continue to work there because it was mostly office job. I think it will be good for old, retired RNs who want easy job. I want to work at skilled nursing facility, but they want experienced RNs. I want to learn something, I want to grow, develop, be challenged, pursue my dream. However, I can't if I work at clinic or adult day care center. I already have enough experiences at clinics and day care center. I don't want it. Yeah, I am not happy with the pay too. I cannot pay car payment, house bills... with that money.
Hey, kenderella89, if you are interested in having a guest blogger, I'd love to contribute to your blog! Your second post was really helpful - that Dr. Rendon's Revive Education sounds like a huge moneysaver.
I just want to say good luck to you all in the job hunt! I wish everyone the best and to find their dream jobs. I am not yet going to post all my stats, since I just graduated in December and have a connection for a job, but if for some reason that doesn't work out, I will come back and cry with you all.
Quick question - I know job experience is most important to have. But do you guys think it would be most beneficial to have a preceptorship in OB or Med Surg? I would really want a job in peds/OB but I wouldn't be picky when it comes to seeking jobs. M/S would get me general experience for all fields. But I am concerned if somehow I was considered for an OB or Peds job, they would want experience or preceptorship in the specific field.
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.
Quick question - I know job experience is most important to have. But do you guys think it would be most beneficial to have a preceptorship in OB or Med Surg? I would really want a job in peds/OB but I wouldn't be picky when it comes to seeking jobs. M/S would get me general experience for all fields. But I am concerned if somehow I was considered for an OB or Peds job they would want experience or preceptorship in the specific field.[/quote']
That's tricky. I would say it's up to you. I know some Peds or NICU new grad programs require or have a preference for grads that precepted in that area but others don't considering it's hard to always place students in those specialities. However Med/Surg will help you build those core nursing skills. I precepted in the NICU and I could apply those skills to any position. For example, critical care skills/thinking, patient education, time management, etc. Those skills can apply to ED, ICU, Med/Surg, and so on. It's ultimately up to you and how comfortable you are with you potential job future.
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.
Hi! kendrella89. Thanks for replying. I am not currently working. Some clinics that I know give RN 10 dollars per hour. I used to work for adult day care center. It was okay. They cut down money and time now. I don't want to go back. I think I will forget all nursing skills there if I continue to work there because it was mostly office job. I think it will be good for old retired RNs who want easy job. I want to work at skilled nursing facility, but they want experienced RNs. I want to learn something, I want to grow, develop, be challenged, pursue my dream. However, I can't if I work at clinic or adult day care center. I already have enough experiences at clinics and day care center. I don't want it. Yeah, I am not happy with the pay too. I cannot pay car payment, house bills... with that money.[/quote']
I understand completely. It's difficult trying to stay "fresh" when you're slowly turning brown.
The rejection and lack of options has taken a toll on me. I literally made an Excel spreadsheet of almost every New Grad program with information/dates/links in the state PLUS almost every hospital in the state with links to their job listings that I check multiple times a week with notes from their HR dept about if they hire New Grads. Part of what makes it worst is when "outsiders", I know they mean well, mention oh why don't you apply at this hospital or be a traveler or there's a shortage you'll get a job soon, etc. You just want to scream 
I realized the best way to get through this is with the support of those in your shoes. Although we are in competition with each other we can help each other through the tears, hissy fits, and psychotic laughter.
perioddrama
609 Posts
Sweet story!
We've all got our up and down days... although, sometimes, it may seem like there's more down days.
We are in this together!