Looking for my 1st RN job - question

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Specializes in med surg, school nursing.

So I have applied at five local hospitals and have heard nothing, except that most of them are NOT hiring new grads. I have passed the NCLEX and at this point will take any part-time job there is. At first I wanted to specialize in post-partum but now I will take anything including medsurg. What I don't want is a non-hospital job. For me, I think I need the "good housekeeping seal of approval" with my 1st job in a hospital.

Anyway, so my question is, do you think I should start contacting people I know to get a job? I sort of wanted to try to get it on my own, but it appears being a new grad and getting your 1st RN job is a lot harder than I thought. I know a TON of people, mostly Doctors and Administrative staff who work in hospitals and I guess at this point I should start asking them if they would kindly pass my resume to a nurse manager?

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Can't hurt to ask people you know if they could help. That is odd that all those places you applied to are not hiring... esp. with the nursing shortage everywhere and the fact that a new hire would be cheaper than hiring a seasoned worker.

Wish you lots of luck with getting on somewhere soon! :smilecoffeecup:

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

hi,

I think a lot of people make the mistake of not applying early. My class was told to start applying back in March and we didnt graduate till May. It is obvioulsy too late for that advice, but call around, speak to nurse recruiters before you apply so they will recognize your applications. Good Luck.

Swtooth

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Go ahead and use your personal contacts. We discussed networking in school and most of us would consider ourselves very lucky if we had any contacts that could help in getting a job. Using personal contacts is an acceptable means of getting jobs. Don't fail to take advantage of it. Good luck.

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

Consider calling teaching hospitals and seeing if they have any positions for a new nurse. Or consider taking a job as a nurse at a clinic or another small facility until the new grad programs start up in December.

Call HR offices and ask about what they may or may not be able to offer you at this point. Ask if there is any advice they have for you. Call your instructors and see if they can refer you to a place that might accept a new grad.

Good Luck!

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I've been applying since April and I'm still without a job :( I've even started applying in other parts of the state (I'm in San Francisco). It's been extremely frustrating. It would be nice to get a recruiter on the phone instead of constantly getting their voicemail, and it would be nice if they actually returned a phone call, but I've only gotten a hold of one, and she said they aren't hiring new grads right now. I've even started applying for nursing asst jobs, and still nothing.

Definitely email all of your classmates! They can give your resume to their mgr and it'll be so much faster than going through the RN recruiters, who from my experience, seem to be the most disorganized people I've ever encountered. Good luck.

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So I have applied at five local hospitals and have heard nothing, except that most of them are NOT hiring new grads. I have passed the NCLEX and at this point will take any part-time job there is. At first I wanted to specialize in post-partum but now I will take anything including medsurg. What I don't want is a non-hospital job. For me, I think I need the "good housekeeping seal of approval" with my 1st job in a hospital.

Anyway, so my question is, do you think I should start contacting people I know to get a job? I sort of wanted to try to get it on my own, but it appears being a new grad and getting your 1st RN job is a lot harder than I thought. I know a TON of people, mostly Doctors and Administrative staff who work in hospitals and I guess at this point I should start asking them if they would kindly pass my resume to a nurse manager?

Some advice. dont know how you look when you go in for a interview but if they say we will let you know and are non assertive with you then you probably dont stand out. wear a nice suit to your interview or even when you are going to swing by to fill out a ap or drop off a resume' stand tall have a presence. look like they need you. also if they havent called you. CALL THEM DEFINITELY some places want to see how hungry you are. Also dont be afraid to call the floor or the nurse mgr directly and lv a msg or talk to them and say I called because I wanted to let you know im a new grad with a great attitude and team player. I really like this hospital and am very interested in the _____position you have available. talk yourself up. also resume's ARE VERY IMPORTANT I have had people call me within hrs of faxing a resume' and tell me I call just because your resum' was so impressive. guess what I dont have a million years experience ITS HOW YOU SAY IT LOOK ONLINE FOR DIFFERENT RESUMES FOR NURSING THE ONE I LIKED WAS ICU RESUME'

good luck youll be great but everyones probably out there at the same time. Dont worry too much. the profession needs you.

also med/surg is the best place in the world to get awesome experience to take with you in every aspect of your future.

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