I'm falling through the cracks...

The residency programs are tough because you really need to plan ahead for those deadlines. Keep applying to as many jobs as you can and follow up with phone calls. It's tough when you're a new grad because sometimes it's just a numbers game, the more applications you submit the better your chances of getting a job. Keep going. At least you have a job in the meantime...

Maybe if you could try to volunteer some time at a facility that interests you. Just getting your foot in the door and making your presence known can help. Have you tried at some of the urgency centers---like Patient First, they provide care outside of an emergency room for generalized illness, some low-level trauma. They are usually hiring this time of year. What about any flu clinics? Keep trying, you will find something. It has been hard for most new grads, so hang in there.

Smaller hospitals tends to not have formal new grad programs and take applicants more frequently. You're gonna need to google search every hospital within a 50 mile radius and just apply for any clinical nurse I position you see.

I'm sorry you are having so much difficulty in starting your nursing career. Although SA is a fairly large city, they also have more nursing schools per capita than any other Tx metro area - so you're dealing with a job market with an over-abundance of new grads from local programs. \

I don't have any additional words of wisdom for you but wanted to echo PPs encouragement.. continue to apply for anything and everything that you are even remotely qualified for. Wishing you best wishes & huge job MOJO.

Took me 8 months to find a hospital job and luckily it was a new grad program but if you haven't already call hr and start going in person. I got this job just by calling even tho I applied previously and they added me to the next new grad program that they thought was full. Make sure you're applying to every hospital there is. I wish you best of luck!! You're not falling through the cracks even though it feels that way. Your break will come.

It seems like you're focusing your search on hospitals; perhaps you should broaden the search to include long term, sub-acute, and primary care facilities. I know it's not the "glamorous" coveted hospital gig, but it IS RN experience....which is better than the non-RN experience you're currently getting waiting tables.

It seems like you're focusing your search on hospitals; perhaps you should broaden the search to include long term, sub-acute, and primary care facilities. I know it's not the "glamorous" coveted hospital gig, but it IS RN experience....which is better than the non-RN experience you're currently getting waiting tables.

I agree. My first job after getting my license was Home health and I think it helped in my interview that I was using my nursing skills even though I graduated 8 months prior. Not every place hires newer grads into home health but some do and train you briefly. I was given simple assignments. I would've ended up in a SNF if I didn't get the hospital job finally but I was adamant to it due to the high ratios at those facilities but RN experience is better than non RN experience. I wish you the best of luck!!

There is a Hospital in Uvalde, 1 hr East of San Antonio. It is nurse friendly certified. The hiring rate is high for L&D. Small hospital, very organized. Staff and doctors are very friendly. I worked there for 1 year after completing my travel assignment. They offered me accomodation, because I lived far, in Killeen. They will teach you what you need to know. Their L&D us usually short staffed. They usually use travel nurses.

See if they will hire you as a student nurse. It means you do CNA work, but its work and its a foot in the door. An opportunity for managers to get to know you, and if anything they also advertise new positions in house first. That gives you time to apply and go meet the manager, maybe if your manager or nurses really like you they will speak up for you?

Or volunteer?