In need of work

[Tesfanurse]

I am a registered nurse. I received my license in February 2014. I started looking for employment in May 2014. There is one job that I would love to have but I have not heard from the hospital after I applied to that position two weeks ago. In the mean time I do not want my license to be inactive so I have decided to volunteer at a local clinic. I am hoping the clinic will give me a chance. I will work every Saturday for a year as a volunteer. I am feeling really left out because none of them have responded to me. What should I do to gain employment as a new graduate nurse???????

[schnookimz]

Apply for tons of jobs at hospitals all over and all around your city. And be prepared to spend a few months applying daily.

[mhy12784]

Applying takes a heck of a lot longer than that.

And youre a new grad nurse, its expected for your license to be "inactive" until you get your first jov

[BusiestBSN]

Apply to many, many jobs even if you do not necessarily like the unit or the shift. The most important thing is to get your foot in the door. After you get hired and spend some time on that particular unit, apply as an internal applicant to the job you may like more. This is not a new grad market so you cannot be picky.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

If you volunteer to work "every Saturday for a year," what will you do when you get an actual paying job, because most nursing jobs will require you to work at least one Saturday per month, and most expect you to work 2 Saturdays per month. Keep looking for a job instead. If you commit to volunteer, then have to quit, it might make you look unreliable.

[MidLifeRN2012]

It took me 2 years to land my first nursing job and you are worried that you applied in May and don't have anything yet ?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

thread moved for best response

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Generally it seems like it takes 6 months to a year to find a job. Sometimes longer. The volunteering commitment may cause issues because most hospital jobs have rotating weekends.

[Tesfanurse]

Thanks everyone for the input. I am always patient but because I did not hear from the hospital, it made me wonder if they don't want me or not. Like you guys said I will apply for other places until I find one unit that will give me a chance.

[DatMurse]

Thanks everyone for the input. I am always patient but because I did not hear from the hospital, it made me wonder if they don't want me or not. Like you guys said I will apply for other places until I find one unit that will give me a chance.

Are you willing to relocate to another state to get into a floor that could accelerate your specialization??