It's NOT fair!!!!

sameyjaney · Feb 18, 2011

It is frustrating. I understand. If you are looking for advice there have been some posts on here from new grads who have found jobs explaining the lengths they went to in order to get those jobs. If a hospital has a nurse recruiter contact them. Phone, show up, e-mail etc. Ask them what units are hiring, when they next expect a unit to be hiring, let them know you are interested in their facility. When you do put in an online app follow up with an e-mail to the nurse manager. Figure out their name by calling the unit and asking for their contact info. Units do have different policies for this kind of behavior so if you do not think calling the unit will be well received just stop by and drop off your resume and cover letter letting the person at the front desk know you would like it to get to the manager. If you are unable to get the name of the nurse manager follow up with the recruiter that you spoke with. Letting them know you put in an application for a position you are really excited about that re-thanking them for the information they provided you with. Lastly, do not doubt yourself. Be confident. You understand you are a new grad, but you are not just any new grad there is something special about you. And, I cannot stress enough the networking aspect of this whole process. I mentioned to a neighbor who has no connection to health care professionals that I was having trouble finding a position. He worked with someone whose relative was a nurse got her contact information and she was more than happy to drop a resume and cover letter off personally by HR for me. I'll let you know this did not get me a job. However, I realized that everyone knows someone and by limiting myself to networking with the only nurses I knew I was seriously limiting my job search. Just something to think about. Good luck to you. Do not get down. Many of the new grads I know have found positions within 6-12 months after graduating most on the later end of that spectrum.

Popwhizbangz, LPN · Feb 18, 2011

Don't give up - you find yourself entering job market at a particularly bad time, not fair at all but still a fact. Make sure you look at ALL options, including moving (I here TX is good from another post . I started 10 years ago, took a CNA job at a Senior Center in school ( all toileting, all the time) which led to an RN job same place, a recommendation, then job in my chosen field/site. Much easier back then, but still, if you want in bad enough and persist, I'm confident you'll find a way in. Good news, bad news: Good is the beginning tends to be the worst, it's mostly better from then on. Bad news you already know better than me: you're at the beginning. Anything we can do, let us know, lots of us have been there or are there.:redbeathe

leslie :-D · Feb 18, 2011

When you do put in an online app follow up with an e-mail to the nurse manager. Figure out their name by calling the unit and asking for their contact info. Units do have different policies for this kind of behavior so if you do not think calling the unit will be well received just stop by and drop off your resume and cover letter letting the person at the front desk know you would like it to get to the manager.

yep, i too, would advise trying to bypass human resources.

i had a 'fallout' at my inpt hospice job (long time ago) and i wanted this position at an icu in a top hospital.

i found out the nm's name and met with her, face to face (no appt).

i took no more than 5 mins of her time, basically telling her (aka begging) i'd work for free, until she was satisfied i'd met all criteria.

what was helpful, is that we clicked.

i had met with nm's, where the connection just wasn't there, and i knew i was wasting my time.

anyways, i got the job...but didn't end up taking it. (stuff was settled at current place of employment)

bottom line is, although this approach doesn't always work, i still feel that going through hr, works even less...

and you do what you gotta do.

best of everything.

leslie

I♥Dexter · Feb 19, 2011

OMG Karleena!!! Boy oh boy, do I know how you feel... I'm right there with ya. :banghead: I graduated in December, 2010. And I was 'chosen' as a candidate for interviews for the new grad RN residency program at one of the area hospitals. And it just so happens that I did all of my clinicals at that same hospital, so I thought for sure I had a job. HR told me to contact them when I passed the NCLEX and an interview would soon follow. I found out that I passed the NCLEX on January 13th and notified HR that same day. I didn't hear back from them until February 11th and I was told, "unfortunately we have decided to move forward with other candidates. You are no longer being considered for a spot in our residency program... Please do not apply to our facility until you have at least one year of acute care experience..." The most frustrating part of all is that the positions are still being advertised!! Three students from my class have been hired by this same hospital, but two of them already worked there and the other one has family in HR. Apparently, unless you already work there, have family that works there or have nurse tech experience and a BSN.... it is virtually impossible to get hired in acute care, as a new grad these days!!

I also don't have the option of relocating, and am very blessed and thankful to have such a supportive husband. Because of that, my game plan is to get my BSN. I've already registered for the few classes I still need, in order to transfer... Hopefully it will help. Good luck to you Karleena. And btw, if you're in Las Vegas, I saw an add for a new grad residency at some big hospital there. I can't remember the name but it was St. something... They will start accepting applications/resumes in April and it doesn't start until July but it sounded intriguing enough to me, to actually consider moving...

And again, good luck, and know that you're definitely not alone!!

ticklemenita · Feb 19, 2011

It's worth it. I just got hired at a job and sat next to a girl who got the job by walking onto the unit and asking for the nurse manager. When someone does that people think it's the family member of a patient who was not happy with care so they just ran and got her. When she met the nurse manager she handed her the resume and told her I am really interested in working on your floor. The nurse manager was impressed and although they were not hiring created a position for her. This same girl told me she also worked at a LTC for a few months to get something to put on her resume. She just graduated in 6/10 and they made her charge nurse already. We all can't have fairy tale endings like that but the moral of the story is to never give up, and believe in yourself!

Thanks for the encouragment!
I applied to a volunteer program just recently - so hopefully that will give me something "meaningful" to do!
I'm at a loss of what to do/say when going in to see HR. With all the applications being done online - what am I supposed to say to them? "Hello... just wanting to check to make sure the computer sent my application to you!" (Kidding, of course.) Any tips on how to get my name out there without being annoying??
I am not whining about more experienced nurses getting the positions... I just wish I could be given a chance to even have an interview every so often. I feel like they see that I just graduated in December...and automatically chuck my application. I realize I have a lot to learn, and training might take longer... but I could become an amazing nurse - if they'd just give me the chance.

backatit2 · Feb 19, 2011

you're right - it doesn't seem fair. i have a 4 year degree and i'm working for minimum wage as a CNA. after a year of thinking "it's not fair" and trying to get jobs, i decided to go back to school for nursing - which in my area is pretty easy to get a job (and actually a job will be guaranteed for me).

i KNOW it sucks - i've done it, and i'm doing it - but you have to sort of "get over it" and move on. if that means moving or if it means going back to school - that's what you need to do. that's not coming from someone who "would never understand."

btw - after feeling like i got kicked in the stomach after 4 years of HELL (going to school, working, having young children, obtaining debt) i finally have the mentality that "this happened for a reason."

maybe nursing is what i am really made for. i know a former accountant who took a job as a CNA and several years later she says it's the best thing that ever happened to her.

it took me a year to get over that "it's not fair hump" and i don't know how long it's been for you, but it sounds like it's time to do some soul searching.

did i mention that i make less money NOW than i made working at KFC in high school? yes, i got paid more to serve people chicken than to care for seriously ill PEOPLE. it's not fair - but again, time is just passing...if you can't change the situation you have to change your attitude.

Nicole74 · Feb 19, 2011

Hopefully you will find something soon. You passed the NCLEX Jan 13, so you it hasn't been that long. A little over a month. You will find something, don't give up on yourself. You have to think out of the box sometimes to create opportunities. Sometimes we have to make things happen in our life, not saying your not.

Things will work out:-)

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2011

No, it's not fair after all the hard work you have put in.

I haven't read every single post on here but you say you are married. Do you both have childcare responsibilities?

When I was much younger, we had to go away to work and I had to leave my fiancee. It was THE hardest thing I ever had to do, but I must say, the experience was invaluable. Then later, the times I spent with my partner were special.

You may have to really look at the option of going away from your husband for a year or so, to get a job and experience. Look at it this way, it is not for long, and working shiftwork will make the time go faster. You will probably hate it at first, but once you get into a routine, believe me, you will survive. And in the old days we didn't have mobiles or email etc - I had to wait till the phone in the nursing accommodation was free - which could mean waiting for a 1-2 days or more! Please discuss this with your hubby obviously, but it is YOUR life and your goals - sometimes you have to put these first b4 a marriage, if you really, really want to be a nurse.

You might dismiss this option, but try contacting some of the bigger hospitals and ask re accommodation, or go on a website that advertises for nurses to share accommodation. I mean, if you REALLY want to be a nurse, and get experience, you WILL have to make sacrifices and start making some plans. That's just the way the economy is at the mo. I had to move to another state in Oz, and it was hard being away from family, but I am an experienced RN now, so yes it is worth it.

After the 1 or 2 years, you can then get a job locally. It will be worth it, I reckon. You can always fly/drive home whatever, on extended days off and plan to do something special together. And don't 4get you will have holidays as well.

If that isn't your thing (if you have kids for example), re-vamp your whole CV AND appearance, and mannerisms. I used to work (a long time ago) in nursing HR, so I can give you some pointers if you like.

I feel so sorry for all these young poeple who are working in petrol (gas) stations, and have their degrees. I met a nice young man getting petrol a month or so back, he was working in a petrol station and he was an engineer! Poor bloke. But at least he was working I said, getting used to delegating, handling money, not just sitting around and moaning.

Keep busy. Go to the hospitals near you and ASK what they want from a new grad. Don't be embarrassed - someone may just notice your enthusiasm. I would even be so bold as to go to the nearest hosp/facility, ask for the NM on that day, explain your predicament and ask what is the best way to get a position there. You need to start being a bit more aggressive (but professional) in your approach to getting that 12 months experience. Start cold-canvassing everywhere, ring, email, go there in person. Many might say 'we don't have any positions at the mo' BUT, things change in the job market very quickly. People leave due to having/caring for family members/children. They leave cos they retire, get sick, get old, or are fed up. Make a list of all the places you have contacted and keep re-contacting them. Show your enthusiasm every time (it is hard, I know). Be professional.

Lastly, don't let depression overtake you. Be busy everyday, plan things to do. You say you are only decorating cakes - is that paid work? Can you work as a volunteer nurse maybe? Go and ask about this as well. Apply for ANY and every job, not just nursing, to keep you busy and to start saving money if you have to move. Try not to stress, do sport or pilates, art work or what you enjoy to stop getting depressed. Cook nice meals if that's your thing, and have a drink you enjoy every now and then (just don't have the whole bottle!) Make sure you have a plan for tasks to do each day, including job hunting, and get someone professional, say in a job centre, to go over your CV (resume or portfolio), to give you some tips.

Another option is to contact every agency near you and ask if you can get experience thru them. Do they do graduate nurse programs (internships) at nursing agencies over there?

Lastly, if you can't move, and don't get a nursing job, you may have to change your way of thinking, and look at next year instead. But do keep trying, it is very hard, many people are discouraged right now. Someone asked me not long ago should her daughter go into nursing, and I honestly said if it is her passion, yes or try nursing for a year or so, but if I was young, I would not be training for nursing first. I would get another degree under my belt first, one where you could hopefully get a job soon after.

We are all here to help you as well.

DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!!!

*Karleena*RN* · Feb 19, 2011

Wow!

Thanks (to some of you) for the helpful comments!!

I was just venting...so please don't attack me for feeling the way I do. I thought this was a place where I could maybe vent my frustrations... so if you don't have something constructive to say in response - then please keep your opinions to yourself. ) Thanks.

Yes, I have kids and no, moving (or traveling long distance) is not an option. I am continuing on with more school (my long-term goal is to become a NP). For the person who listed all those positions in Vegas... um...really? You think I haven't seen all those and applied? I'm not kidding when I say I've applied EVERYWHERE! All those "RN I" jobs...even though they don't list experience as a requirement... After you finish the cover letter section, the app goes straight to one question "Have you graduated nursing school within the past year?" (or something to that effect...I don't remember the exact wording). So, I have no choice but to say "yes"...and then it won't even let me finish the application. It tells me I don't have the right qualifications. I even tried on one to put "No"...then it asked how much experience I had... I put "1-2 yrs"...just wanting to see what it'd do.... It still wouldn't let me past that point!

I realize that going to school wouldn't guarantee me a job... but I guess I just figured that I would still be able to find one. I was a good student, complimented in clinicals frequently, received a "leadership award" at my pinning ceremony, etc. I guess I got too "confident" that all that would help.

Thanks to someone who pointed out about the residency a hospital here is opening up in a few months. I've seen that. They won't start even accepting applications until April...so I will have to wait. (And if you've seen it...and aren't from Vegas - can you imagine how many other people are seeing it too? There's going to be hundreds of applications for very few spots. *sigh*)

I just wanted to vent...so excuse my rambling. I really appreciate those who had a "sympathetic ear" and gave some helpful advice. I found a really helpful thread about how to get a job and will use some of that advice as well. I've already sent tons of hard-copy resumes (that looked stinkin good, if I may say so! haha!)...but I haven't tried hand-delivering any. I wasn't sure how that would come across to the nurse managers. I may have to try it though. Anywho...thanks again!

orangepink, NP · Feb 19, 2011

^ where do you live? post your city, state so readers can help you look for a job, too. you never know right? i got my 1st nursing job because i posted it all over my facebook until one person helped me out hhehehe

*Karleena*RN* · Feb 19, 2011

^ where do you live? post your city, state so readers can help you look for a job, too. you never know right? i got my 1st nursing job because i posted it all over my facebook until one person helped me out hhehehe

I've posted it.....this thread just got too long and wordy so most people probably didn't see! :)

I'm in Las Vegas, NV.

I've tried the FB thing; I'm friends with one of my clinical instructors from school; I know a few nurses in various hospitals around the city; I've tried the friend of a friend of a friend route.... all this with nothing so far. I know I could still have months ahead of me before finding something... I just hate that I'm not being able to do something I worked so hard for! I love being with my kiddos and husband in the meantime (but our finances are looking grim)! I see so many job postings...but it seems to be true that unless you are someone "special" or know someone with major connections - they won't hire ya. I'll keep pluggin along and applying/networking as much as I can. I know "this too shall pass"....I just hope it passes soon!

orangepink, NP · Feb 19, 2011

OMG! I'm from vegas but I moved to California to get my BSN. Try Spring Valley Hospital. I heard that they've been hiring for new grads lately.