New Grad from ADN: Difficulty finding Work!

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Specializes in Have a niche for pysch.

Hello fellow nurses!

This is my first post on this site and I am looking forward to hearing from you! :D I have a dilemma as a new nurse. I turned down a job offer in the department I wanted to work in, since it was for night shift, and that doesn't appeal to me. I hear terrible stories about it and even the director told me a few new grads had to quit not that long ago due to that particular shift. Problem is, I am unable to even get HR people on the phone after submitting countless apps/resumes to other local hospitals. Either they don't call back or they want experienced nurse, which is very frustrating. I am considering going out of my specialty to get the hours I want, though I know I'm not a med-surg kinda gal. :p What would you do? Take the night shift position and be constantly tired :yawn: and crabby or hold out for a better opportunity, assuming it's headed my way? Any other new grads having trouble with finding jobs? Pardon the icons...I have fetish for them! :loveya:

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Specializes in Operating Room.

This is a tough one. If it were me, I'd take a night shift position in the specialty I like rather than work on a med/surg floor. I'm sure eventually, a different shift might open up and then you'd at least have a foot in the door. What dept. do you want, just out of curiousity?

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Specializes in SICU, NTICU.

I took the noc shift. I'm not a night person, but you gotta pay your dues. IMHO

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Specializes in ER.

Just wondering, as a new grad, how can you have a specialty yet? If so, what is it and do you have any experience in it?

Nursing offers a world of variety and flexibility....after you learn to be a nurse. But while you are learning to be a nurse, you have to try a number of things, and work a variety of shifts. Yes, part of it is paying your dues, but a bigger part of it giving you opportunities to learn in a variety of situations.

The longer you sit out waiting on the perfect job to come along, the harder it is going to be go break in. Med surg is a tough floor to work on. I couldn't/wouldn't do it now....but I did it as a new grad, and it taught me how to be a nurse. One year on a med surg floor equals 20 years in school!!

So do you wish, but if you wait too long, you will find yourself working at Lowe's and looking for a refresher course.

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I think the best way to find a job is by attending a job fair. I went to a job fair and they had nurse managers from all departments (ER, ICU,med/surg, women's health etc) and they immediately interviewed applicants.

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Specializes in Developmentally Disabled, LTC, Clinic, Hospital.

I took a noc position and found out that I LOVE it! I hated nocs a few years ago when I worked it, but now, for whatever reason, they just seem to work for me. (not to mention the shift differential!!) I would suggest giving it an honest try, you may find you are ok with it!:twocents:

Vicki

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Specializes in Emergency.

I did NOT want to do nights either.. I have awful sleeping problems as it is and figured working nights would screw me up even more. But that seems to be all that's available to new grads around here.. so I took a night position and am trying to look at the bright sides of it- the shift differential will be really nice, and I figure working nights will be a calmer environment to start out in than days..and if I'm already hired at nights, once something does open up during days, hopefully I'll have dibs on it since I'm already on the floor.. every single one of the people I graduated with that have jobs so far, have night shifts.. I think it's hard as a new grad to find a day shift, at least in my area. JMHO

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

I think nights are great. Most every one has to start at the botttom and work up. You should take nights, you may like it.

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Specializes in Acute Care.

I like nights too. I find you have a little more down time to get to know those who you work with ... Nights tends to be a tighter group of people... always have your back

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Specializes in Peds,ER,FP,Med/surg/oncol, Hospice.

Hi, I too am a new grad and was going through the same problem. Hold out for the position I really wanted or take a part time med surg position but ideal hours. I took the position but I am still going to look for my "dream job" My advice is take nights and keep looking that way you get the experience but you don't permanately "settle" for what you don't want. Good Luck!

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I think a new graduate in almost any career field is going to have to be somewhat flexible. Take the night spot....just my two cents :smokin:

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

try pm shift. its busy, but you don't have to be there too early and you usually get off by midnight, so you can still get enough sleep.

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