just graduated...what's next?

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi all!

so I recently graduated a BSN program in PA, and now I'm experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, which I assume comes along with generally graduating college as well as the alarming realization that it is time to grow up now. yikes! So, how to pick where to apply? Many people (outside of the healthcare profession) consistently reassure me that I'll have no problem finding a job, however the e-mail from my advisor suggesting we take ANY job offer that comes our way cause of the lack of job openings...not so reassuring? :confused:

I feel like theres so many types of hospital environments, even within the different units, so what's the major differences from community hospitals and the larger hospitals? if anyone has worked in both? which one did you prefer?

Would it help to contact an HR rep or should I just go directly to the website where to jobs are posted? ... I have tried contacting some HR by phone and e-mail, and others from job fairs but they just immediately direct me to the website.

Thanks, Happy Holidays!!

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Having recently graduated myself, I don't know how helpful this advice is going to be. Do you know what you want to do as a new graduate nurse? If not, I would make getting a few years of med/surg experience my short-term career goal. If you're not sure what you want to do and you work med/surg first, then you'll see a variety of different patients, build a solid nursing knowledge and skill foundation, and clarify your career goals (ie- what you do and don't want to do). In terms of your Job Search, does your school have a person who has access to alumni contacts in the area? A friend of mine contacted an alum (at a particular facility) via the alumni affairs person at my school- and that's how they got the job they're in now.

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I just graduated in September and passed my license. It seems like this job market is pretty bad. All the philly hospitals are not hiring new grads! You should listen to your intsructor and take what ever job offer you get bc the market is pretty bad here.

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Specializes in VA-BC, CRNI.

Apply literally EVERYWHERE to EVERY opening reguardless.

I submitted applications in the hundreds, around 3-400 in 7 states over 3 months.

The only area of Nursing that seems to regularily be hiring is LTC/Rehab. The pay isn't terrible (I make 80k), many of the acute care RNs I know are only making 60-70k, and its a nice playground until you find an open acute care position.

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Apply literally EVERYWHERE to EVERY opening reguardless.

I submitted applications in the hundreds, around 3-400 in 7 states over 3 months.

The only area of Nursing that seems to regularily be hiring is LTC/Rehab. The pay isn't terrible (I make 80k), many of the acute care RNs I know are only making 60-70k, and its a nice playground until you find an open acute care position.

What state do you work in?

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Specializes in VA-BC, CRNI.

Arizona

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wow the pay for arizona nurses seems pretty good!

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Apply literally EVERYWHERE to EVERY opening reguardless.

I submitted applications in the hundreds, around 3-400 in 7 states over 3 months.

The only area of Nursing that seems to regularily be hiring is LTC/Rehab. The pay isn't terrible (I make 80k), many of the acute care RNs I know are only making 60-70k, and its a nice playground until you find an open acute care position.

Where in AZ do they pay that much? How much experience do you have? Do you have your BSN or RN?

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Specializes in VA-BC, CRNI.
Where in AZ do they pay that much? How much experience do you have? Do you have your BSN or RN?

4 months experience, ASN, Mesa specifically but anywhere in the valley. That's the going rate for new grads in LTC/Rehab. Actually I am looking into another SNF that pays about $7 more an hour.

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4 months experience, ASN, Mesa specifically but anywhere in the valley. That's the going rate for new grads in LTC/Rehab. Actually I am looking into another SNF that pays about $7 more an hour.

Hmmm...maybe I should move, lol.....seriously though, my husband and I are trying to figure out where to go for a weekend and maybe we'll go there. I looked on salary.com and it said nurses make around $60,000 in AZ....is that site not always accurate?

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Specializes in VA-BC, CRNI.

That site is TERRIBLE for salaries.

My experience with talking to other Nurses and friends that I have graduated with the average salary is between 70-90k a year.

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That site is TERRIBLE for salaries.

My experience with talking to other Nurses and friends that I have graduated with the average salary is between 70-90k a year.

Thank you! I guess I won't be using that site anymore for a reference.

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