Is it hard to get a job as a new grad?

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Hi everyone,

I currently live in California, and i want to relocate once i graduate from school.My question is it hard to get a job as a new grad without experience, and what is the starting salary? Thank you so much.

The unemployment rate in AZ is 10%...

The unemployment rate amongst new grad rn's in AZ is 20%+...

Therefore, getting your RN doubles your chances of being unemployed!

But on the same token, almost 80% of new grads have found employment. I realize that finding a job for a new grad might be very hard, but clearly not "impossible" as some have stated. Up your skills...volunteer, get ACLS and PALS certified, get help to make your resume stellar, volunteer, volunteer, and did I say volunteer yet? You gotta stand out from the crowd.

Again, I realize that some new grads have done all of the above and have still had poor luck, but just trying to offer suggestions that may help. Good luck to us all!!!

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I actually volunteer at PCH and have done so for the last three months. I also volunteer 3 to 4 times a month feeding the homeless. I applied for the PCH's new grad program numerous times, and once again, did not even get a chance to interview so the July 2010 start date is out of the question. I've applied at every facility out there, I've even applied for a phlebotomist position just to try and get my foot in the door but got that infamous looking at other candidates email. I've had my resume looked at by two professionals so I really don't think that's the issue. I am also fluent in Spanish. Trust me when I say, it IS nearly impossible to get a new grad position. Any other ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Increasing RN school enrollment seemed like a great idea at the time.

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Lil-Lisa, are you an ADN or BSN? Just curious...I've heard that PCH (as well as magnets such as Banner) overwhelmingly takes BSNs over ADNs. I dunno, I'm just sorry you're having such a hard time. :-(

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Specializes in Trauma and Cardiovascular ICU.
Trust me when I say, it IS nearly impossible to get a new grad position. Any other ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Are you physically putting the resume, yourself, in the hands of those who should have it?

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Good News... I finally found a job as a school nurse, I was made an offer today... WooHoo!!! :yeah:

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Good News... I finally found a job as a school nurse, I was made an offer today... WooHoo!!! :yeah:

Congrats!!!!!!

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Thank you so much... I'm sooo excited...

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But on the same token, almost 80% of new grads have found employment. I realize that finding a job for a new grad might be very hard, but clearly not "impossible" as some have stated. Up your skills...volunteer, get ACLS and PALS certified, get help to make your resume stellar, volunteer, volunteer, and did I say volunteer yet? You gotta stand out from the crowd.

Again, I realize that some new grads have done all of the above and have still had poor luck, but just trying to offer suggestions that may help. Good luck to us all!!!

Honestly, I have volunteering NOT at all helpful in finding a job. When employers ask me what hospital experience I have, I tell them about my ED volunteer work, and at least TWICE they have actually laughed out loud. Literally laughed at me.

"Sorry, that's not hospital experience. That doesn't count, you need experience."

And while I have good letters of recommendation from both hospitals I volunteer at, neither will hire me, nor make an exception for me.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

It's particularly bad for new grads in Tucson. Glad I'm not trying to crack that market anymore! Many of my new grad classmates from last year are still looking.

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Specializes in VA-BC, CRNI.

Try Plaza Healthcare, Mesa Goof Shepherd, East MesaHealthcare.

All 3 hire new grads often.

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