Making New Grads Marketable

[taramicah]

I am in my last semester of the RN program and starting the job application process. I live in area where there is one main hospital and only a few smaller hospitals within a 45 mile radius. The RN program is a dual entry so there are a lot of new grads every year. I have been hearing rumors that there are not enough openings for new graduate nurses to places all the students. With the economy like it is nurses in this area are not retiring, others who have not been working are returning to work, and some facilities have hiring freezes. Does anyone have any advice for student nurses as to how to become marketable while applying for graduate nurse positions?

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

my suggestion to you being the new grad that I am, you might want to bypass the recruiters when you see an opening in the hospital, go to that floor and talk with the manager. Just say Hi, I'm so and so and I know I am a new grad but I am willing and ready to work. This happened to me and the original position I wanted was given to a nurse with exp but she had another position open and she gave me that position. She said that she liked how I walked in and told her that I was willing to work. She said that it showed that I had initiative and that is what she wanted from her nurses. I got the job.

That is of course when you get your license. I did get into a GN program but turned it down due to my schedule. It was going to be too much.

To get that one I was very very persistent and called them all the time. I would have accepted until they told me some weeks I would work nights some days. I can't deal with that. Its either one or the other.....

Also by starting early like you are that gives you more of a chance to get into one!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Rumors could be just that. But if hiring freezes do exist in your area then hire on at a non-hospital job or consider moving. Being certified in ACLS and CPR and PALS (whichever applies to the job) might help. I think the advice from Chicookie was good too.

[E.R. Rookie]

Shine in your clinicals. I did well in the ER on Monday and was told to come back when I had my license. Make friends, network, and never sit down. I am constantly asking nurses if they need help and answering call lights.

[amjowens]

It seems that the big change is that nurses are no longer exempt from the "job search" fundamentals. The problem, many of us in school were made to believe that as long as we get the chance to take the NCLEX and pass, we'll have our pick of jobs. Too many of us are having a rude awakening. Fortunately, there ARE jobs out there, it's just that we have to care about networking, work experience/history, etc... Things we thought only business-majors had to consider, we now have to.

For ex., many hospitals in my area have hiring freezes at the moment, and new grad positions are really competitive. A friend of mine had worked as a tech for a few years at a hospital that isn't really hiring, and she was originally told there wasn't a place for her as a nurse. So, she applied at many places, but kept at it with the hospital she's at. She has a good reputation, good work ethic, and has been dedicated to that place. She recently passed her NCLEX, and she called two days ago, ecstatic that the hospital is actually making a place for her in the ICU! I'm SO happy for her, but man, what a great lesson.