job fair

caliotter3 · Nov 2, 2009

What a bust it was. This fair was nothing like last year's. There were few hospitals and some of the ones represented had the nerve to tell people to apply online! Others were frank about not having any open positions.

Then one wonders why they even bothered. I suppose someone was just glad to get out of the office for a day.

RiaRN3 · Nov 2, 2009

There is another career fair next Wed. 11/4, by Nursing Spectrum. I wonder if that will also be similar to the Advance fair?

Very similar. The list of participants are the almost the same. I checked the websites! Skipping this one. Have too many logo-dpens as it is. And, well, a list of hospitals/ agencies to last me a lifetime! Now if only something definite can come out of it... We can do this y'all!

RiaRN3 · Nov 2, 2009

hello everyone i am interested in the job fair on 11/4/2009. Anyone has any more information on it, this will be my first what should i walk with? i need some advice

If you're a new grad, just be prepared for being turned away like a leper! kidding. But yeah, seriously, have tons of resumes @ hand. Ask for a business card / contact number from the person you're speaking with as well so you can follow up. I would say, unless you have the patience, you might as well skip the the long lines of the major hospitals. The people manning those stations are usually not the actual nurse recruiters but rather just HR... and they will pretty much tell you: "Yes, hand me a your resume, but its no good. Apply online." For the agency, mention "wellness" positions... they;re usually hiring new grads... flu shots, health fairs, wellness clinics etc...

Good luck! :)

MiaNJ · Nov 4, 2009

Finally, I found people to discuss my dilemma of not finding a nursing job after graduating from nursing school (may, 2009). Everywhere I look (internet) or go (hospitals) it's either experience required or "we are not hiring". to compound the situation I am 50+ and the last time I went to a hospital, the recruiter was searching all into my face, I felt a bit ******. Not necessary. I am also on the verge of becoming homeless. I can't believe this is happening. I too, am registered for the 11/4 javits fair but, after reading some posts I don't think I will be going. What a drag. I am so depressed.

Anniee, don't give up. I think you should go anyway. I have been searching for longer than you have, and still nothing. Don't feel bad. There are many in the same situation. But you can't stop trying. Also, have you tried nursing homes or home health care?

LoriNJ · Nov 4, 2009

So how did it go today? Better than last time?

guitarhero · Nov 5, 2009

So how did it go today? Better than last time?

I decided not to go

LittleLRN · Nov 5, 2009

I went since I wasn't able to attend the last one. There are no positions but they would take your resume.

MiaNJ · Nov 5, 2009

So how did it go today? Better than last time?

I went, but every single hospital recruiter there said the same thing - no new grad positions at the present moment. Some would take resumes, but others would not, and tell you to apply online. I asked one recruiter when the hospital (Mt Sinai) would take new grads and she just said, we don't know, and asked if I was aware of the economy, blah blah (duh, who doesn't), and that it may take months or a year or more, she wasn't sure. A couple other booths that said they had a 'big pile' of resumes to sort through, and don't expect to be called unless my qualifications meet what they are looking for (which meant at least 2 yrs acute care/med surg experience). I kept waiting in line and hearing recruiters speak to a group of new grads, all saying the same thing about how there were no positions for new grads now. It was quite depressing.

LittleLRN · Nov 7, 2009

I went, but every single hospital recruiter there said the same thing - no new grad positions at the present moment. Some would take resumes, but others would not, and tell you to apply online. I asked one recruiter when the hospital (Mt Sinai) would take new grads and she just said, we don't know, and asked if I was aware of the economy, blah blah (duh, who doesn't), and that it may take months or a year or more, she wasn't sure. A couple other booths that said they had a 'big pile' of resumes to sort through, and don't expect to be called unless my qualifications meet what they are looking for (which meant at least 2 yrs acute care/med surg experience). I kept waiting in line and hearing recruiters speak to a group of new grads, all saying the same thing about how there were no positions for new grads now. It was quite depressing.

Hi MiaNJ, when you spoke with Mount Sinai's recruiter, did they mention anything about a residency program? I was not able to make it to their booth due to their long lines, but from what I heard from a friend, she told me that they would be having a residency program in february.

MiaNJ · Nov 8, 2009

Hi MiaNJ, when you spoke with Mount Sinai's recruiter, did they mention anything about a residency program? I was not able to make it to their booth due to their long lines, but from what I heard from a friend, she told me that they would be having a residency program in february.

I didn't hear that from the recruiter, but possibly. I did hear from the NYU recruiter that they have a nurse residency program in Feb. But I don't qualify since I graduated over 6 months ago. Also, the recruiter said it's highly competitive, and they have limited slots since they can't accommodate every new grad. They require a 3.5 GPA+, and letters of recommendation from previous professors/clinical instructors. I guess alot of people can have that, but they still have limited openings. It doesn't hurt to try though, if you qualify.

LittleLRN · Nov 8, 2009

I didn't hear that from the recruiter, but possibly. I did hear from the NYU recruiter that they have a nurse residency program in Feb. But I don't qualify since I graduated over 6 months ago. Also, the recruiter said it's highly competitive, and they have limited slots since they can't accommodate every new grad. They require a 3.5 GPA+, and letters of recommendation from previous professors/clinical instructors. I guess alot of people can have that, but they still have limited openings. It doesn't hurt to try though, if you qualify.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that you can't apply to the program once you've graduated over 6 months ago. I guess I don't qualify as well.

MiaNJ · Nov 9, 2009

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that you can't apply to the program once you've graduated over 6 months ago. I guess I don't qualify as well.

But different hospitals may have have other rules. I was just told by the NYU recruiter that they 'prefer' those who graduated within the last 6 months. Since they have so many applications, then it's just more likely to get chosen if you fit that time frame. But other hospitals may allow new grads that graduated within the last year. Since I graduated over a year ago, then I probably don't qualify for any of those programs anyway.