9 Months a New Grad, Still No Job...

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Anybody else in Los Angeles in the same boat? I graduated from a college in San Francisco with my BSN in May 2014, and I came back to the LA area to be here for my family in their time of need. My preceptorship was completed at a Level IV NICU, which pretty much nullifies any efforts to get a job in Med Surg or Telemetry or the like - they won't even look at my application for those programs. This winter, so many NICU new grad cohorts were either cancelled or nonexistent. I had a grand total of 2 interviews for the NICU which didn't pan out, and I think two or three other interviews for Mom/Baby and PICU. I'm gearing up for this next round of applications, a little more hopeful because it seems there may be more openings for NICU this time around, but I'm also very much aware of having been out of school for so long.

So...I guess I'm looking for some commiseration, encouragement, strategy, etc? I'm tired of being a new grad with no RN job!

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Don't have any great advice for you, but you are definitely in considerable company: 50% of California's graduates don't have a job one year after graduation....when the NEXT round of new grads gets dumped into the employment marketplace :(

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Specializes in hospice.

Have you applied anywhere but hospitals?

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Specializes in PACU.

Are you open to relocation? To say California is impacted is an understatement...

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Anybody else in Los Angeles in the same boat? I graduated from a college in San Francisco with my BSN in May 2014, and I came back to the LA area to be here for my family in their time of need. My preceptorship was completed at a Level IV NICU, which pretty much nullifies any efforts to get a job in Med Surg or Telemetry or the like - they won't even look at my application for those programs. This winter, so many NICU new grad cohorts were either cancelled or nonexistent. I had a grand total of 2 interviews for the NICU which didn't pan out, and I think two or three other interviews for Mom/Baby and PICU. I'm gearing up for this next round of applications, a little more hopeful because it seems there may be more openings for NICU this time around, but I'm also very much aware of having been out of school for so long.

So...I guess I'm looking for some commiseration, encouragement, strategy, etc? I'm tired of being a new grad with no RN job!

The secret is location... location... location. Be willing to move, or work anywhere.

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There must be places where they are claiming to have nurse shortage.

Check into the place they will help foreign trained nurses find work in the USA. So I guess there are places where they have nurse shortage in the USA.

I say better to give it to a US Citizen than someone born outside of the USA and only wanting to come her for the money.

Blog - Passport USA

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Thank you all for your responses! I've been thinking relocation may be inevitable, but even the places I've applied to out of state haven't been calling. Everywhere I've seen requires you to have your license for that state in hand at the time of application. I can't really go get a ton of state licenses all at once - it's expensive and takes a while. I've been trying to look at clinics and stuff as well to no avail yet, but I'm hoping as this new round of openings comes around I will luck out. I have some people within hospitals talking to people for me, so I have a better chance than I did anyhow.

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Specializes in hospice.

What about more rural areas of California? Like small northern counties? Might be worth it for a year or two to gain experience.

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Come to Florida... The sunshine state... Tallahassee to be exact... TMH to be more specific... I work in cv/ms icu...

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Have you applied to any pediatric home care agencies? Some take new grads, and NICU experience would be an advantage.

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Haha @Laalisha do you know if they're hiring new grads right now? Because I will jump on it if so!!! My only dilemma is that I just really feel like I need to be around for my grandparents. They aren't doing so hot, and I don't want to miss the time I have left with them, you know? @Not_A_Hat_Person, RN I will for sure see what I can find with regards to pediatric home health. I haven't seen anything for that type of work, but maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. I'll see what we have somewhat nearby.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

LTC

SNF

Clinics

Offices

Rehab

LTAC

Jails

Schools

Medically Fragile students (1:1)

Have you looked into those places?

Have you applied to more than the NICU?

Expand your search area

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