Jobs? Anyone?

[iamheretohelp]

How am I supposed to get a job as a nurse as a new graduate, when all the jobs listed at every hospital within an hour and a half of me require at least 1 year experience? How am I supposed to work? Where am I supposed to get the experience that I need to get a job? I am very frustrated. I will be graduating in May of this year, and have been looking for a potential job for months, and have found absolutely nothing. Even in other states. I worked SO hard, and now its not even going to pay off. Great. Any suggestions? Do I have to change careers AGAIN??!!

[hopefulwhoop]

It will happen. It might take months or even close to a year. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's true. Apply for residency programs and know that your first job might not be your dream job. I also recommend keeping in touch with HR. That's one of the ways I got my job. I applied for a job, but didn't get it. But, I maintained a professional relationship with the recruiter at HR and when a new grad. position (that wasn't posted) opened up, she told me about it. I was interviewed the next day and got the job. Keep your head up.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Have a great professional resume and good references. Ask your instructors if they have any connections at hospitals or offices where you might be able to work. Be persistent- apply for jobs that require experience. The worst that can happen is they don't hire you. I recently was hired for a position that stated a year or more was required. The point is that hospitals want to great candidate who will benefit their hospital. Follow up your applications with phone calls to HR or ask to speak directly to the nurse manager. Ask to do some shadowing on a unit that you would like to work. Consider applying to skilled rehab or long term care facilities. Keep your head up and keep trying. I applied for months before I even got an interview. Only a few of the many positions I applied for were new grad positions.

Ashley