Is it common for nurses to get a job at a hospital without any experience?

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Specializes in General (OB, Peds, med-surg, etc...).

Hi,

To start off, I graduated May 8, 2009 from an associate program in NM. I have applied online to a couple of hospitals, and I am uncertain of whether I will even be considered, as I have not been paid to work as a nurse yet, just clinical experience.

How likely is it that I will be hired to work at a hospital, from your experience working as nurses and being a "baby" at one point, also?

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As a new grad, it takes more than filling out on-line applications. Call HR and ask for the recruiters name and e-mail. E-mail the recruiter a nice cover letter wait a couple of days and then go to HR and ask to speak with the recruiter. Sell yourself. Most of my classmates have gotten hired at local hospitals, a few of us have gone with skilled nursing. I had an offer from the first hospital I went to. I saw the recruiter and got called in for an interview the next day, got an offer, but a higher paying offer with more responsibility came along. You really do need to show up in person though. Your application will be one among many, but your physical presence stands alone. Good Luck with your search. Keep us posted.

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Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

Yes it is very common, depending on what region of the country your in. Some hospitals even have new-grad programs for new grads and nurses with limited experience, but like I said it really all depends upon where you live. Everyone has to start somewhere!! ;--)

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Specializes in General (OB, Peds, med-surg, etc...).
As a new grad, it takes more than filling out on-line applications. Call HR and ask for the recruiters name and e-mail. E-mail the recruiter a nice cover letter wait a couple of days and then go to HR and ask to speak with the recruiter. Sell yourself. Most of my classmates have gotten hired at local hospitals, a few of us have gone with skilled nursing. I had an offer from the first hospital I went to. I saw the recruiter and got called in for an interview the next day, got an offer, but a higher paying offer with more responsibility came along. You really do need to show up in person though. Your application will be one among many, but your physical presence stands alone. Good Luck with your search. Keep us posted.

Great Idea! I will give it a try.

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I have done all I can to get a job-if I show up in person-they tell me to apply online-and don't even take my resume.....

Anyone have other strategies that worked?

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Specializes in General (OB, Peds, med-surg, etc...).

I followed chloe girls advice and followed up my well-planned resume and cover letter with a phone call to the nurse recruiter a couple of days later. Then, a couple of weeks later, I called again. I heard back the same day from a nurse manager and got an interview for this week!

Thank you everyone.

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