Need some New Grad advice:(

Published

I have recently graduated from an ADN program an obtained my license in the state of Maine a few weeks ago. I currently live in Maine but want to relocate somewhere down south (NC,SC) In the last week and a half I have applied to almost 50 nursing jobs, new graduate residency programs, and non new grad positions, and have been rejected by almost all of them within a few days after applying. I have almost 10 years of CNA experience, seven years at one hospital alone. I have no criminal history and my resume should be impressive for a new grad (float CNA in the same hospital for 7 years with experience on every floor in the hospital). My references are excellent and are people who have worked with me for almost 10 years now (none of them have yet to be contacted by any of the dozens of hospitals I have applied to). I am getting so frustrated:( Some of these applications are so tedious to fill out and include mandatory personality surveys (110-240 questions long... and I feel like I have a good personality! Haha!) that need to be done before your application can even be submitted, just to be rejected within less than one day... I highly doubt anyone has even looked at my resume yet... I am at a loss. I feel like I have applied to literally almost every hospital in the Carolinas and nothing.... I have called at few Nurse Managers directly and they have advised me to apply to the New graduate programs but most of the New Grad programs don't want someone with an ADN only a BSN. What can I do differently??? I know its only been a week, but its not looking very promising when you can rejected from over 30 jobs in just a few days! I feel like I'm getting nowhere! Help!

Staying at my current hospital would be worst case scenario only because it have been my dream to relocate for such a long time and the thought of relocation is literally the only thing that kept me going in nursing school. This is worse than nursing school itself! :(

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Work as an LTC, LTACH, or rehab nurse is paid nursing experience. Waiting 6,9,12 months for an elusive acute hospital job is an unemployed unexperienced grad. You have a better shot with paid nursing experience than no experience or non-nursing experience .

If there is room for a personal statement/cover letter enter you relocation plans there

Your lack of BSN may be as much of a barrier as being out of state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

New plan:

I'm applying to LTC and rehab facilities that are near hospitals that I might want to work at in the future... Hopefully I can get some type of LTC or rehab job, move down there, work for 6 months- a year and then start applying to nearby hospitals without having to relocate yet again... Also, I really wanted to take a year off before going back to get my BSN especially since I will be busy relocating and starting a new job but maybe I should just suck it up and start the process of getting into an online RN-BSN program so I can add that to my resume/cover letter... What do you guys think? I'm also going to have some nurse friends look over my resume/cover letter just to make sure I'm not missing anything. And I did add to my cover letter that I am planning to relocate to the specific area that I am applying to just to make it clear that I am serious...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Look at programs such as WGU once you start working.

Who knows you could transfer to or accept a transfer from your LTC to the hospital. Have awesome accurate paperwork. Apply for a job at hospital months later, in peer interview staff nurses recognize your name, whispering occurs with smiles. You're hired since you made a great impression by doing awesomeness at the LTC and making facility transition for the floor. They figure if you give 100% there and are so awesome they must have you! Bam acute care job! (Ok I'm tired but it could happen)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SNF, LTAC.

It might be a little farther south then you intended, but here in Oklahoma we are flooded with job openings for RN's...We cant seem to get enough. And being the 2nd best state to live in (cost of living) it might be an option if you really want to relocate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The job market is terrible for new grads. Get experience and relocate later. You'll find it's significantly easier. CNA experience is great, but you're still a new nurse. You might have to make a sacrifice for a year to get your dream.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just had a phone interview with a place in Columbia,SC for a new grad position and was invited to come down for an interview! So excited!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/ Surg/ Telemetry, Public Health.

Congrats on the interview, I hope things work out for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Maine, NC and SC are all compacted states so I automatically have a compact license and do not need to apply for a new license. How would I make it clear that I am planning and willing to relocate at my own expense? Should I somehow say that in my cover letter? Like I said I'm pretty sure my application isn't even being viewed by a human being so i doubt anyone is even reading my cover letter... Should I just pick a spot that I'm interested in and just move there so that I look like I'm local? I've thought about making a trip down so that I can apply in person but I feel like ill just get brushed off anyway as a ADN new grad. My next step will be applying to subacute/ LTC places but Ive heard mixed opinions about doing that if your goal is truly hospital work. My absolute last resort would be to stay in Maine another year even though that would def be the easiest solution. I'm trying to be patient and give it some time but I'm so discouraged already...

Simple, apply for the appropriate state license in NC or SC as you will have to do anyway. You have to have your state's license if you live there permanently, even if the state you're coming from is a compact state. The licensure compact was never intended to replace the license in your primary state of residence (NC or SC). And yes, your lack of a local address is probably hurting you.

You should look in more rural areas. Generally southern states are not as bad about BSN only malarkey as NE or Pacific coast states.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

As someone who lives in NC, I can tell you that we have a metric ton and a half of BSN programs. Our hospitals take a lot of new grads, but mostly BSN new grads. It's going to be tough to get a job as a new grad ADN at a major hospital here, period. Most places that hire ADNs make you sign a contract that you will have your BSN in five years or you will get terminated, but they would prefer not to hire ADNs at all, even experienced ones.

If you really want to relocate down here and that one job doesn't pan out, I would encourage you to take a job where you are and immediately enroll in a RN-BSN program. You will get hired very quickly here with a year of experience and your BSN, because most hospitals in my area are critically short staffed, including both of the ones I am working at right now.

Good luck. I may be biased, but NC really is beautiful. It's nice to be within a few hours' drive of either the beach or the mountains, and to experience all four seasons of the year fully - from the beautiful blooms in the Spring to the beach in summertime to driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall with the leaves turning to skiing in the wintertime, all within a couple of hours of your place. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Best of luck with the interview. I also want to point out that we actually have a pretty good new grad job market here in Maine (I'm a new grad here, too). Have you considered working here for a year or two, and then trying to apply again for a job down south? Then you'll have that all important experience to get your foot in the door.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I GOT THE JOB!!! Im moving to Columbia in a week and starting the residency in two weeks!!! I cant even believe it!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I may be biased, but NC really is beautiful. It's nice to be within a few hours' drive of either the beach or the mountains, and to experience all four seasons of the year fully - from the beautiful blooms in the Spring to the beach in summertime to driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall with the leaves turning to skiing in the wintertime, all within a couple of hours of your place. :)

And this is why I am born and raised here in NC!! No reason to leave. Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion