My Job Search

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I'm a new grad of an ASN program with no experience. I have a BSN in business and am in the middleof a career change. I have a very high GPA and I'm currently seriously mulling around continuing in school to get my BSN as there are alot of anecdotal evidence that many hospitals are not starting or will be requiring a BSN degree rather than the ASN.

Having said that, I only want to work 2 days or part time at this time so that further limits my hiring potential. It's awfully hard as a new grad as many places require 1 to 2 yrs experience and most staffing agencies require 6mths to 1year.

I decided to keep a thread about my job search much like i did when I took the NCLEX> I kept a thread for about 4 wks with what I did, did I meet my daily study goal, tips from me other other posters etc

So I've decided to do the same. I've just finished my resume and had it looked over by several friends. I know I should have done this months ago but lots of issues going on. I started top apply for jobs via Monster and other online places. So ar to dayte, haveing started this week. I've applied for 9 positions.

I did get a call today form a staffing agency which tells me my resume is okaby but I didn't have at least 6mths experience.

It's a catch 22! How do you get that first job or experience?

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So I have an appointment with another staff agency this week. I had to do my own background check, new TB, 7 CEUS in :

Med Errors

Bloodborne pathogens

Domestic Violence

Alzeimhers etc

Health Exam

etc

I'm crossing my fingers that this goes well. In the meantime, i've decided to apply for at least 3-5jobs per day and to brush up on my knowledge and certs to not get rusty and to beef up resume. I was told by some kind nurse at the office I did my exam at that any cert makes one more marketable if it comes down to 2 people being considered for the same job and one has a cert and the other doesn't.

So Next week, I am taking a 40hr IV Therapy certification class even though RNs are not required. I think it will only help me as we didn' t get to do as many sticks in my program. Then I'm going to do ACLS then PALS.

All of these things start to get pricy but I see it as an investment in my career.

I signed up for CEUFast.com with unlimited CEUS so I plan to take some free CEUS- keeps my knowledge base up which can only help me.

If anyone finds themselves in the same predicament as me i.e license , new grad and trying to find a job, please post, share your stories, what you are doing etc.

Ok, off to apply for at least 3 jobs because it's late and I'm tired and hungry :)

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I think you need to look at it from an employers perspective. You are a new grad - as a green as they come. It is a TREMENDOUS financial investment to hire and train a newly graduated RN. But all you are willing to offer in return is two shifts / week.

I REALLY think you need to reconsider the part-time thing. That, in my opinion, is what is keeping you from getting a job. And I would also forget about Monster and the rest. Apply directly to the facility. I know in the business world that is a good option, not so much in the world of healthcare.

Good luck in your search.

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I think you need to look at it from an employers perspective. You are a new grad - as a green as they come. It is a TREMENDOUS financial investment to hire and train a newly graduated RN. But all you are willing to offer in return is two shifts / week.

I REALLY think you need to reconsider the part-time thing. That, in my opinion, is what is keeping you from getting a job. And I would also forget about Monster and the rest. Apply directly to the facility. I know in the business world that is a good option, not so much in the world of healthcare.

Good luck in your search.

thanks for your tips. You are not the first one to tell me to apply directly. I have made my resume private on Monster because I didn't want to be spammed. However, I do look at the listings there and several does lead to the site directly.

I've just started my search this past Monday so it hasn't been a full week yet.

At this time, I don't want to go fulltime and I know that will hamper me. I am going to pursue my BSN and i don't want to put my family through not having me around as much working fulltime and in school. They're tired of that, lol!

Thanks again for your tips. I will start applying directly to hospitals.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

How about getting in a year of full-time work and THEN going back to school (and switching to part-time)? Much better chance of landing a job - same 'time away' from family, and only a year delay in getting the BSN.

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How about getting in a year of full-time work and THEN going back to school (and switching to part-time)? Much better chance of landing a job - same 'time away' from family, and only a year delay in getting the BSN.

Yep that makes sense and I need to mull that over.

I wasc contacted via phone by a staffer for one of the jobs I applied on line but unfortunately I didn't have 6mths experience.

Another job I applied on line for, I was contacted via email and asked to contact them if I would like to go further in the interview process.

They listed the salary range which was very low but it is per diem and it features pediatric nursing which is part of my background i.e college credit and experience.

At least I feel my resume is good because I'm getting responses.

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There is tons of RN to BSN programs online that give you that extra freedom to work the hours your employer gives you and study on the side.

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