New Grad Application Rejection

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Hi guys,

I am looking for a little insight here. I am a new grad nurse with an AD, currently enrolled in a Bachelor's Program. I recently passed my boards and I am in the market for a job. I don't have any nursing experience whatsoever, besides my clinicals. I have been a bartender for years. I have applied to several different jobs recently and within hours or a day my application status says "Reviewed; Not Selected". I am a little frustrated as they don't give me a reason for this, therefore I don't know if my application was denied because my resume/cover letter or for any other reason. I have applied to jobs that I am qualified for according to their job listing. So my question is, is this normal to get rejected like that within hours? Do new nurses typically have to apply to many many positions before they get an interview? I guess I am just a little confused and surprised because for all these years I kept hearing that nurses are in such a high demand, I won't have a problem getting a job, yet it seems like the opposite. Thank you for your input!

CBerries, I am also in the Twin Cities area and ran into the exact same problem as you last summer. I graduated last June but could not get any 'bites' at my applications that were sent to hospitals, even the ones that stated "New Grad program!" It was very frustrating and discouraging! I also received rejections almost immediately after I applied! I wanted to work in a hospital but obviously they only took people with experience, even for the New Grad program. Catch 22!! I finally realized that I needed experience and to look beyond hospitals. I applied at a TCU where I did my clinicals for school at, which is also affiliated with one of the main hospital systems in the Twin Cities. I've been at this TCU for almost 9 months and despite some issues with staffing, I can honestly say that I really enjoy it. Working at a TCU has given me patient assessment skills, time management skills, and nursing skills such as working with feeding tubes, placing foleys, colostomy care, etc. While it's not acute care, we get patient who are post surgery or post illness and still need to be closely monitored. My experience at my TCU is invaluable and if, or when I want to apply to the hospital, I am sure that I will have the necessary qualifications to do so! Plus, if you chose your facility correctly, like mine, I am can transfer into the affiliated hospital system within 1 year!

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Have you tried anything BUT hospitals? Like Long term care? You get amazing experience there; a wide variety and learn so much. Then, with experience, you will be a more attractive candidate.

There is not a nursing "shortage". There IS a shortage of desirable jobs and nurses willing to put up with the crap in so many work places. Schools don't do students justice if they even imply there is a nurse shortage. in small pockets of the USA, yes. But as rule in the country, NOPE.

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When I was a new RN, I think I had the world's fastest rejection...it came in less than five minutes after submitting the application.

I was so shocked I actually called the HR department to find out if I had accidentally checked a box saying that I had a criminal record or something crazy like that.

She said, "No...one of the questions asked if you had previously completed an internship at our hospital, at this time, we are only hiring new grads that have". She was very nice and didn't make me feel bad at all for calling. They did this because there was an over-abundance of new grads and they wanted to hire within the community first.

So...you never know what their requirements are.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.

I know this can be very frustrating. Have you tried to seeking a professional resume/cover letter editor/writer? I used one when I first graduated, and found one who had worked with healthcare professionals in the past. It was about $50 20 years ago. I am sure the price has gone up.

Then seek out a LTC with a medical unit/rehab unit. At least you may get some experience in IV's, NG's, wound care, foley's, etc. But most of all, it will teach you time management and triage of your patient load.

Good luck to you! I hope you find what you are looking for and enjoy many years as a nurse!

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I feel your frustration. When I was a new grad, I got rejected at all the hospitals I applied to. I decided to go to long term care just so that I had nursing experience to put on my resume. I was only in the SNF for a couple of months and then I tried walking in to one of the hospitals that I previously got rejected. Surprisingly I landed an on the spot interview and took a written test. 2 weeks later got the job. Perhaps you can try walking in? I understand that financial reasons play a big role as to why you are avoiding long term care, but it is a false statement that it won't help you land a hospital job. You still will be able to practice some of your nursing skills, but most importantly you start developing critical thinking and time management which I personally believe are the most important skills that a nurse can possess. Any nursing experience to put on the resume is better than no experience. Perhaps you can live with family until you land a hospital job? Good luck to you!

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
13 hours ago, Earlybird1 said:

CBerries, I am also in the Twin Cities area and ran into the exact same problem as you last summer. I graduated last June but could not get any 'bites' at my applications that were sent to hospitals, even the ones that stated "New Grad program!" It was very frustrating and discouraging! I also received rejections almost immediately after I applied! I wanted to work in a hospital but obviously they only took people with experience, even for the New Grad program. Catch 22!! I finally realized that I needed experience and to look beyond hospitals. I applied at a TCU where I did my clinicals for school at, which is also affiliated with one of the main hospital systems in the Twin Cities. I've been at this TCU for almost 9 months and despite some issues with staffing, I can honestly say that I really enjoy it. Working at a TCU has given me patient assessment skills, time management skills, and nursing skills such as working with feeding tubes, placing foleys, colostomy care, etc. While it's not acute care, we get patient who are post surgery or post illness and still need to be closely monitored. My experience at my TCU is invaluable and if, or when I want to apply to the hospital, I am sure that I will have the necessary qualifications to do so! Plus, if you chose your facility correctly, like mine, I am can transfer into the affiliated hospital system within 1 year!

Good luck to you!

Awesome advice, Earlybird. If you can't move to where there is an actual nursing shortage, this is a sound strategy.

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Hey CBerries!

I’m not sure if you are willing to move or commute but I’m a nurse at Mayo Clinc in Rochester. It’s s huge hospital and it seems like they are always hiring. I have many coworkers that commute from the Twin Cities. They say it’s worth it.

Like all hospital systems it has its faults but I think it’s a great place to work. I started there as a new grad and have no major complaints.

Just another option if you have no problem with commuting or moving!

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MusicallyRN do they accept new grads with an AD?

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7 minutes ago, MusicallyRN said:

Hey CBerries!

I’m not sure if you are willing to move or commute but I’m a nurse at Mayo Clinc in Rochester. It’s s huge hospital and it seems like they are always hiring. I have many coworkers that commute from the Twin Cities. They say it’s worth it.

Like all hospital systems it has its faults but I think it’s a great place to work. I started there as a new grad and have no major complaints.

Just another option if you have no problem with commuting or moving!

Do they accept new grads with an AD?

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21 minutes ago, CBerries said:

MusicallyRN do they accept new grads with an AD?

Yes the do. They do want you to get your BSN I think 3-5 years after you start working there.

Most of the time they will help pay for you to get it though.

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12 minutes ago, MusicallyRN said:

Yes the do. They do want you to get your BSN I think 3-5 years after you start working there.

Most of the time they will help pay for you to get it though.

Thank you so much! I will check this out. I see they do have lots of job openings. The commute would be about 1 hour for me one way, it doesn't seem so bad for a good job.

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34 minutes ago, CBerries said:

Thank you so much! I will check this out. I see they do have lots of job openings. The commute would be about 1 hour for me one way, it doesn't seem so bad for a good job.

Glad I could help! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me!

Good luck!

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