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.
Dream RN position: NICU. Neonatology interests me more than any other nursing specialty but with experience, I can be passionate about basically anything-- surgery, renal, etc. I'm a major science nerd.
Hospital experience: Volunteered at a local hospital for about 4 years; 750+ hours
Where do you live: Northern California
What are you doing now: Volunteering and seeking out new graduate RN positions in California. Trying to stay optimistic.
Favorite color: Crimson
How you cope with unemployment: I draw, read, and bake.
I wish I found this thread when it started - I was like so many of you. Graduated in 2010 and desperate to find a job, it took 3 years and moving out of state to finally land a job that would eventually lead me to my dream specialty back here in California. It was a very, VERY expensive 10 months (that's all the time it took in my first job before being hired for my current job) but worth it. Chin up to you all still searching for that open door, and don't be afraid to search for it outside of California. There's no place like home, but leaving it for a bit makes you appreciate it that much more.
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.
Limbic System
21 Posts
Degree type: MSN (direct entry); 3.98 GPA
Time out of school: 3 months
# of positions applied to date: ~20
Dream RN position: NICU. Neonatology interests me more than any other nursing specialty but with experience, I can be passionate about basically anything-- surgery, renal, etc. I'm a major science nerd.
Hospital experience: Volunteered at a local hospital for about 4 years; 750+ hours
Where do you live: Northern California
What are you doing now: Volunteering and seeking out new graduate RN positions in California. Trying to stay optimistic.
Favorite color: Crimson
How you cope with unemployment: I draw, read, and bake.