My RN New Grad is losing hope need suggestions

[RN Boyfriend]

My girlfriend graduated from Nursing School in TN this past May, and Passed her NCLEX in July on the first try. Since then shes been applying to jobs like crazy. She has sent out over 80 resumes to positions in 6 states. She has also applied to multiple positions at hospitals she really likes. All she gets in return are HR reps with attitudes and unresponsive Nurse Managers. Last night her best friend from her program called her and she got a job at the Hospital my girl was hoping for. She is sweet, caring and serious about her profession. Her resume has been reviewed and approved by nurse practiioner family members and other professionals. She has a 3.4 GPA and good references.

I just want to see her happy again and she is soooo defeated right now it is painful to watch. Even though I would prefer to have her here in mid-east Tennessee I would be ecstatic if she got a job in Timbucktoo!! So my questions are, What is the best way to get into Physician Offices? Will working in a non hospital RN position effect her ability to get the jobs she wants? When applying to out of area positions (3 - 14 hrs away) is she being looked over for not being local? Should she concentrate on her local area? Also, is this the norm right now?

Shes so upset I don't want to talk about these suggestions with her untill I get some feedback. THANKS!!

[Student1989]

Cincinnati is hiring. University hospital for sure. Tell her to try there. I'm from Cincinnati and there are alot of positions open.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

It is probably the norm in many places. I relocated about 5 hours for a job. This is a mega hospital and it actually hires a lot of people who relocate and are not local. It might depend on the hospital. many places don't like to hire people who plan to relocate since they are at best comming in with a foot out the door for the most part. the facility will assume that the employee will leave after 1-2.It took me more than a year to find a job so she shouldn't give up yet !

[honeykrown, MSN, NP]

Sometimes small hospitals. Nurses are even moving to the reservations. I know some in AZ are hiring

[tainted1972, ASN, RN]

How is she applying for jobs? If she is applying online and sending resumes, that will take longer than if she did it the old fashioned way.

Tell her to but on her best suit, and start visiting facilities and applying in person.

I have noticed that many long term facilities do not place ads for open positions, instead they will post them on their websites if they are posted at all.

Your girlfriend will have a better chance of landing a job if she is willing to work anywhere, any day and any shift. Sometimes it is easier to get on as a casual employee rather than full time.

Networking is a great way to get jobs and it is also a good way to not get them.

Facebook is used by many employers to check out someone before calling them for an interview. Tell her to make sure her facebook is squeaky clean. And if she does not have facebook, you may suggest she get one so that she can network with other nurses. I got my first nursing job via facebook :)

[A&OxNone, MSN, RN]

Has she tried Atlanta?! Usually the hospitals around me are pretty good about hiring new grads! Just an idea. :)

[enfermeraRNinWI]

If you guys are willing to move I know in North Dakota there are many jobs right now, including nursing. Hospitals there appear to be more friendly to new grads. Good luck!!!

[FLmomof5]

What may be holding her back in the out of state applications is her licensure. Is TN a compact state? I know that I got no responses when I applied for jobs in SC (I got my license in FL). I had applied for license by endorsement, but didn't have it yet.

Months later, trying in SC again, I got responses! One SNF, one PRN for correctional nurse and one Med/Surg at a hospital! I would not advise getting a license in all the other states, that would be cost prohibitive.