Job search for a new grad

JoblessRN · Sep 2, 2009

welcome to the jobless pool! i'm in your same spot...applied for about 74 positions this far. no luck.

all i can say is keep applying to anything...you really can't be picky in this current market (unless you want to wait a year or two for your "perfect" job). if you can move out of state, you might want to try that. places like texas might still be hiring.

i know it's hard...trust me i am unbelievably frustrated and depressed over this. :banghead:

LGiammarco09 · Sep 2, 2009

I'm not looking for anything specific right now, just a job to get experience to get something better. Thanks for the help and wish you the best of luck in your search!

Jules A, MSN · Sep 2, 2009

I'd consider contacting any of the nurse managers or even a floor nurse where you had clinicals and made a good impression. If they remember you in a good light it might help get your foot in the door. Around here LTC is always hiring and will train so that may also be an option. Good luck.

NurseJewelz · Sep 2, 2009

One thing that I have learned is that word of mouth is seriously underestimated. I just passed my NCLEX about a week and a half ago and I was applying for every job I saw but no replies. . . Then, one of my friends emailed a nurse manager directly. That nurse manager called human resources and told them to set up an interview. During her interview, the manager mentioned that she was looking to hire a few grads and my friend mentioned my name. So the nurse called down to human resources and told them to set up an interview with me. I just had my interview yesterday and I was hired on the spot.

The moral of the story is, try to skip the whole human resources nonsense. . . it will take forever to get an interview if you are lucky enough to get one at all. Ask your friends who work at hospitals if they can give you the email addresses of their managers and email them directly. Hope this helps :)

LGiammarco09 · Sep 2, 2009

I actually just messaged a couple of my friends via facebook about getting contact info on their managers and I've been trying to find manager contact info anyway but got nothing. Thanks and I'll certainly try that!

nyteshade, BSN · Sep 2, 2009

You may not want to hear this, but have you tried long term care or rehab?

LGiammarco09 · Sep 2, 2009

yes, right now with the horrible economy/lack of jobs i'll be happy with anything that will just give me experience to get something better

Venus1 · Sep 29, 2009

OH yeah...I have 3, yes, 3 college degrees. And I still can't get hired on ANYWHERE! I've filled out so many applications online, gone on several interviews, and nothing. I'm a new grad with no experience, and no one will give me a shot. Not to mention, I've run my own business... this is a second career for me, I can do this if someone would have a heart and hire me. I've hit the Jack tonite (someone needs to set me straight on this new grad thing), I'm very depressed that I bought into the whole "higher education" thing and NOTHING has come about. I don't even want to think about how many applications I've filled out. I tried to get on as a student extern my last semester on school, and no avail either. I need some really good advice now, my fellow nurses...inspire me, please!

Thanks.

oguesswhat · Sep 29, 2009

Just keep applying and applying and applying. I know it doesn't sound fun. I applied to hundred (multiple hundreds ha) Even jobs I knew I would really not like...but jobs I could at least get experience in. I had..4 interviews in total. 1 was in particular for grads only. Another didn't like that I said I liked labor and delivery (cause they thought I might leave too soon.) They wanted me a minimum of 5 years...I said I planed to stay like 2 or 3 they didn't like that answer. But that's ok the hours were terrible ha. Then a long term care job...which I really thought I was going to get...but never did. 4th interview was a total surprise. I had called the recruiter that morning. She said yeah sure 2 applications were being looked at by managers (but usually that means they glanced at them) and that's it...a few hours later a manager called me an asked me to come in for an interview the next day. I got hired the day after that! I start in a few weeks!

Check with the local hospitals if they have any new grad only jobs. There were 2 hospitals in my area (Michigan) that were going to start hiring for thoses in the next month. They didn't start till January or February but at least I knew I had a chance at something coming up.

Also call recuriters every so often to ask them qustions about something. (A particular job, if they are currently hiring new people ect). Go to jobs fairs if you can find them. Ask friends. Try to relax and not get depressed about not finding a job...trust me I know it's hard. I looked for 6 months before I got hired! It's not the "perfect job" I want...but it's pretty good. I got midnights (which I do like) it's a med/surg floor....so tons of experience...I like the hospital (even though the cafeteria sucks ha) Overall I think I got it pretty good. And I am getting insurance! Yay! So just breath...and take a yoga class or something if you can to help you relax :) A job will come!

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Sep 29, 2009

I understand how you feel. It took me 8 months to find my first nursing job, which was canceled 45 minutes into my first shift, and 2 months to find my next job, which meant moving 250 miles away.

My only advice is to take whatever job you can, and try to build a bridge to where you want to be.

Good luck!

nkara, CNA · Sep 29, 2009

I am very happy I decided to change my major to Respiratory Therapist. I have a seasoned RRT who I work with who is relocating to FL and he has been offered a min of 10 jobs. I will have no problem when I graduate with my degree.

Good luck to all of you and I do hope it get's better for everyone. :heartbeat