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

[itsmejessie]

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!

[RNmomma3]

Have you looked into a versant programs in Bakersfield? Many of my classmates got into one of their programs, for Tele, nicu and l&d!

[RescueNinjaKy]

New York City also takes a while to get a job as a new Grad. I know because I'm going through that process myself Good luck!

That is precisely why I'm going to north Dakota. Getting that experience and bsn there, then when I'm ready to leave, I'll be an easy hire in nyc

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

That said, consider applying to compact states. You may be able to work in those with your CALI license until you get a hard copy.

Since California is not part of the Nursing Licensure Compact, a California nursing license is only valid for use in California.

A nurse cannot legally practice nursing in any other state with a California license.

[YuHiroRN, BSN]

You may be able to work in those with your CALI license until you get a hard copy.

No, she will not. However, in my experience, other states don't take nearly as long AND even here in California, receiving an interim permit doesn't take that long.

OP, my initial job hunt took me to the Midwest after 1+ year of searching here in CA. And not a major city either - a small town 12-room (24 bed) general pets unit that was also adult overflow. But we floated to the NICU regularly. I was able to come home in just under 10 months and now work for a level III in LA county. Relocation or just not working in acute care will probably be your best course of action right now.

[itsmejessie]

Thank you for your story. I've definitely been thinking that this may be my only option right now. Good to know it wasn't too long before you were able to come back!