If you graduated between 2008 and 2009,how long did it take to find a job ?

[Bobbkat]

I graduated in Dec 09, still unemployed. However, I have recently changed my tactics and now have 2 interviews set up for this month, one in PICU and one in NICU. I'm in Connecticut.

[GFzalez, BSN, RN]

Graduated BSN in May 09' from school in mass, Passed NCLEX 75 Questions and 40 minuets later, got CT license in Aug, Despite countless applications (beginning in March of 09') and 9 interviews, was hired in Feb of 10' in Long term care in MA. (the only one that called back). I am happy to have a job, despite these days when I am feeling like a glorified babysitter and a waitress.

[Baxter31]

May I ask how you switched your tactics?

[Baxter31]

I graduated in Dec 09, still unemployed. However, I have recently changed my tactics and now have 2 interviews set up for this month, one in PICU and one in NICU. I'm in Connecticut.

May I ask how you "changed your tactics?"

[Bobbkat]

Sure, Baxter. I went to school 800 miles away from where I currently live, so I was at a distinct disadvantage as far as 'networking' was concerned. I had asked my friends and family back home if they knew of anyone with any connections out here, and it didn't turn up anything. So basically, I was just applying and applying, getting no where.

I had one interview for a LTC scheduled a few weeks ago. It was cancelled a few days prior to my appointment. I stewed in my depression and self pity for a few days, and then decided that I needed to be more aggressive.

First, I called family and friends in various areas of the country, explained my situation, and asked if they might happen to have someplace I could crash if I took a job in their area. I have a toddler and a husband who couldn't relocate, but I figured I could fly/drive out, work 3-12's, then come home for a few days. Luckily, I have a huge family, so I had many offers of couches/beds/empty basment corners. I started applying around the country, to see if I could get an offer.

Second, I retooled my cover letter. After about 200 aps, I pretty much have a few variations of cover letters that I tweak to fit the unit/facility that I am applying too. I have a previous degree in elementary education, as well as extensive professional experience with culturally/ethnically diverse young families, special needs students, and early childhood development. I had always mentioned this on my cover letters, but focused on nursing, since I was applying for nursing positions. I decided to focus on these previous experiences instead. Since I'm a new grad, to be honest, there's not a lot of unique nursing 'stuff' to write in a cover letter. My new one general reads 'elementary education, special needs kids, culture, education, development....oh, and I have a BSN.' Of course, it also has some facility/unit specific direction.

Third, I called my family and friends for networking leads again. I must have sounded a lot more desperate this time, because I actually got a lead this time. A family member asked around her unit again, and found out that one of the doc's used to work at a facility near me (and on a unit that I was very interested in). The doc graciously agreed to call the unit manager on my behalf and talk me up. (I really need to send that doc a pie or something, because the call resulted in an interview!)

So that's it in a nutshell. I have received numerous offers for interviews for units in the Southern US (CVICU, PCU, Burn ICU, CCU), though I ultimately decided to decline them since I also was getting calls closer to home. It will be really nice if I can live with my family, especially if I can get a job that I would like to stay in for at least a few years. I feel so guilty when I apply for a position that I KNOW I would only stay in for a year, max.

So no job yet, but I'm hopeful becuase I'm finally getting a steady stream of recruiters calling. I'm definately using my prior experience in education to my fullest advantage from now on, since it seems to be working for me.

[earthcrosser]

I'm in Texas. I graduated December 2008 and got my job lined up before that in October 2008. I was fortunate to land an internship spot in the area I wanted.

[jxRN]

took me 1 whole year.

Graduated May 09

Passed Nclex July 09

First interview July 10, got the job.

CALIFORNIA. not the field i was aiming for, but close to home. so i'm not complaining :)

[RiaRN3]

Took me nine months to a year in nyc with a BSN. Don't get scared though, our graduating class had grad-to-hired times that varied greatly, depending on how early they started looking & how much they networked. From people getting offers prior to graduating up to a good year for those who delayed & didn't realize how tough the market was *ahem*

PS nine months (for a scary agency LTC job). a year for my dream job.

[NeoPediRN]

I graduated in May of '08 with a BSN. It took me 3 months to find per diem work, 9 months for full-time/benefitted. I live in Massachusetts.

[dura_mater]

Graduated Dec 09, passed boards Feb 10

countless online apps sent, in the online sea of annonimity

first interview landed in Feb 10, didn't get the job (not my ideal position anyway)

second interview landed May 10 (my ideal job) & got it, I will start at the end of July

So, 9 months total of looking, praying & applying out here in California

[RNTwin]

wife graduated in Dec 09 got a Nursing job in June 2010 , and she work at hospital as a EKG tech for 4months, eventhough she had already passed her boards in febuary 2010.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

Graduated May 2009. Got a full time job Oct 2009. I'm in Colorado.