I want to start a support thread for us unemployed New Grads in California

U.S.A. California

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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.:cry: 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 :arghh: 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.:roflmao:

I got the idea for this thread from another thread posted here on allnurses: https://allnurses.com/nursing-first-job/unemployed-new-grad-797292.html

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.:sorry:

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.

Good luck, everyone! I know it's tough, but be persistent! Don't be afraid to network either - I only had two interviews (out of the 250+ applications). I had a great first interview but my lack of experience was what lead me to not get the job. I contacted the nurse manager after finding out that I didn't get the job. I thanked him for taking the time to interview me and asked him for tips on what I could do have a more successful interview and he was kind enough to tell me what I could improve upon. I took his comments to heart, and got a job offer with my next interview. Don't be afraid to reach out and contact nurse managers, nurse recruiters, anyone in a position of power. One of of my classmates actually suited up and went in person to a number of hospitals and asked to speak with a nurse recruiter. She came prepped with resumes in hand and actually got her first job this way.

@emmymaeeRN do you think there is a difference between who to contact between a nurse manager for the unit or a clinical nurse educator for the unit?

@emmymaeeRN do you think there is a difference between who to contact between a nurse manager for the unit or a clinical nurse educator for the unit?

I don't think it would hurt to contact both, if you can. A manager will be more acquainted with the specific needs of a unit for sure, and I know sometimes managers do have some power in selecting candidates to hire from the application pool to interview. Nurse recruiters will also have selection power, and if you can somehow network with them and get on their good side, they'll more than likely be willing to help you get selected for an interview. They'll also have a strong idea of what the hospital as a whole needs. I was in contact with a nurse recruiter who was helpful in looking for opportunities for me.

Specializes in Trauma | Surgical ICU.

The best way to get into the unit is to get in touch with the unit manager or the RN-coordinator for the unit.

The RN-C knows the need of the unit. They know their staff and what the floor needs. They are the ones who does the schedule, recommends someone for promotions.. The Unit manager also is the one who coordinates with the nurse educators about what the unit needs to work on, what subjects/topics the nurses needs to brush up upon.

I'll be wary to go to the nurse recruiter. If you've submitted your application to the hospital already and still haven't heard anything from the facility, chances are the nurse recruiter didn't see you fit their need. But one email from the RN-C or Unit director and the nurse recruiter will surely accomodate their request.

Learning to navigate is important. If you approach the wrong person, you could be burning bridges with another. If you plan to go above the nurse recruiter, make sure you place your bet on a sure bet. Don't go to the nurse recruiter, only for them to say no and then go another route. Identify who really has the hiring power on the unit. The nurse recruiter can only recommend candidates for interviews, the nurse educator is there solely for nursing continuing education.

Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.
The best way to get into the unit is to get in touch with the unit manager or the RN-coordinator for the unit.

Learning to navigate is important. If you approach the wrong person, you could be burning bridges with another. If you plan to go above the nurse recruiter, make sure you place your bet on a sure bet. Don't go to the nurse recruiter, only for them to say no and then go another route. Identify who really has the hiring power on the unit. The nurse recruiter can only recommend candidates for interviews, the nurse educator is there solely for nursing continuing education.

As a person who has been working in many hospital positions over the years, I can say that I agree with this. Your chances in getting a job are MUCH higher if you call/email nurse manager directly. Or just knock on their door. You really don't have much to loose. That's what I have done to get my first job.

But as the previous poster said, be very careful not to burn any bridges by overstepping someone else's decision.

If I had a dollar for every time that someone has said "Apply to non-hospital jobs".....I would have enough money to buy myself seat on a hospital board o directors. I've looked into many different types of non-hospital nursing jobs. The vast majority require at least a year of med-surg hospital experience. It's all a catch-22.

Hello my name is Patricia and I'm an unemployed new grad

License type: ASN

Time out of school: 2 months

# of positions applied to date: about 30

Dream RN position: ICU

Hospital experience: None but I have 4 yrs of experience as a LVN

Where do you live: Palm Springs area

What are you doing now: Pediatric home care as a LVN

Favorite color: blue

How you cope with unemployment: I binge :(

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
As a person who has been working in many hospital positions over the years, I can say that I agree with this. Your chances in getting a job are MUCH higher if you call/email nurse manager directly. Or just knock on their door. You really don't have much to loose. That's what I have done to get my first job.

But as the previous poster said, be very careful not to burn any bridges by overstepping someone else's decision.

Also consider that not every NM is going to welcome a call/e-mail/visit from a new graduate student. Doesn't mean you shouldn't try because if you don't try you'll never know, but don't expect that your attempts will always be welcomed with open arms by everyone.

You do have nothing to lose by doing this...but also keep in mind that this isn't the early 2000s when nurses were in high demand and you could do this (visit NMs asking for work) with impunity. So if you decide to storm the bastille, proceed with caution and the utmost respect for the NM's time and position. And don't take it personally if your attempts are rebuffed.

And like others have said, if doing this is going to burn an important bridge with someone else, then don't do it.

I don't mean to discourage anyone, but one should also be realistic.

Specializes in ICU/Medical/Surgical.

I am about to join the new grad unemployed scene in CA in April. I'm from SoCal but moved to St. Louis without a car and just a bike to get around to do an accelerated nursing program to get my BSN. I also have been awarded HRSA's Nursing Scholarship, which requires me to commit two years to a "critical shortage facility." I'm hoping it will work out when I move back home because I've been managing a long distance relationship and I miss being around my family since they are my core support group. I hope all the sweat, blood, and tears is worth it because this program has taken a lot out of me to get done in just a year. However, I definitely feel like a stronger person after sacrificing a year to be out here on my own, without a car, and getting through this program.

Hey I’m an unemployed New Grad.

License type: ADN - will start my BSN this Fall

Time out of school: Almost 10 months

# of positions applied to date: I don't keep track but definitely over 100

Dream RN position: I would love to work in a Public Health/Community Health setting. I think one of my strong suits is patient education.

Hospital experience: Not outside of nursing school.

Where do you live: SD

What are you doing now: Working in retail part-time, taking care of my kids, volunteering at church, continuing to apply to any and everything, even non-RN positions in places where I could potentially be hired as an RN down the road.

Favorite color: My kids would say black because that is what I wear most but I love blue and coral

How you cope with unemployment: I continue to pray and have faith that the right opportunity will come along. Some days are worse than others but I try to stay physically active and enjoy living in San Diego, I might as well get some benefit from being unemployed and being able to work out by the beach is a huge one for me.

Specializes in Hospice & Palliative Care, Oncology, M/S.

Popping in to send continued support and hope for you all! Don't give up! There is something for you out there... continue to pray or exercise or do whatever it takes to get you through. It's scary and frustrating, but it will be worth it in the end.

Love to you!

Specializes in Medical-Oncology.

Hey everyone,

I wanted to post an update to give you all hope! I was offered a position on a med/surg unit for a local hospital based on my "2nd in-person interview" referenced in my original post. I've been there for about a month now, and things are going really well. It's very challenging, but I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful to have a job. Since then, I've received other offers for interviews...in home health and hospice.

Looking back, I'm so happy I decided to volunteer...I think it really made a difference on my resume and being able to discuss those experiences during the interview.

Something else that really helped me to prepare for that interview was reviewing the Johns Hopkins nursing interview guide. I'm including the link below. I hope it works. It was really helpful.

http://nursing.jhu.edu/life-at-hopkins/center/documents/interview_guide.pdf

Good luck to everyone still searching!!

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