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!

Specializes in Psychiatry.

First off, congrats on graduating!!

Unfortunately graduation and getting your RN does not guarantee employment or employment satisfaction. The best thing I can say is you should be open to working anywhere. Some places like the SNF might be willing to hire a new grad. Also try looking into psych. When hospitals say BSN is preferred but not required, it's a subtle way of saying, open to all - but not really. Think of whatever job you get as valuable experience. Do a good job, get your BSN and then you can look where your heart desires.

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i highly suggest you try applying to a hospice or home health! They hire people so quick. TRY HOSPICE! Any hospice agency around you.

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That's true about home health. I once uploaded my resume looking for home health work. The phone was ringing as I got off my laptop, no kidding.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Being a new grad can be so discouraging. I wouldn't be opposed to working LTC temporarily. It is undesirable but very very valuable work. I started in an LTC, then worked in corrections, and landed my dream job as a tele/step down nurse after that. I appreciated the process it took to get my current job, and am very proud of myself for the work I did in previous jobs.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

And by the way...there is not a nursing shortage. I live in central california, and with all of the 900ish new grads graduating every December and June, jobs are filled. The issue is that there is a shortage of nurses willing to work certain jobs, or a shortage of qualified nurses to work certain jobs.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Remember, any experience is some experience. Prospective employers look for that, they don't like to see gaps in employment, especially new grads. Cast your net wider and broaden your outlook, you may find your dream job!

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It has taken some nurses 6 months to a year to land a job, let alone a hospital job. Some keep pushing and some stay with whatever they were doing prior to nursing. Me being a CNA made a difference in getting a job after I graduated. You may have to apply to some places that you don't want to work, to get your foot in the door. Keep in mind every year tons of nurses graduate looking for a job and employers have the ability to be picky. Try to get some connections going. Who do you know that works where you want to work? Reach out to that person. It is early in the job search so keep applying.

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That is a surprisingly fast response from HR which is normally notoriously slow. You might want to consider paying a professional to re write your resume and cover letter.

It is amazing how much difference a well written resume can make to getting your foot in the door.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to First Job Hunt Assistance. Some great advice above!

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5 hours ago, kp2016 said:

That is a surprisingly fast response from HR which is normally notoriously slow. You might want to consider paying a professional to re write your resume and cover letter.

It is amazing how much difference a well written resume can make to getting your foot in the door.

I actually did have my resume professionally written but that still doesn't necessarily guarantee that it's a great nursing resume I suppose.

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Thank you everyone for the great advice!

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15 minutes ago, CBerries said:

I actually did have my resume professionally written but that still doesn't necessarily guarantee that it's a great nursing resume I suppose.

I only mention this as I once worked with an “experienced” RN who was so awful (on every front you could think of) I was always at a loss for how on Earth she was hired.

Happened to see her resume one day. It was Wow! I would have hired her no matter how badly she interviewed. This resume just read that well. Maybe see if you can have some nurses look it over for you or ask to see theirs.

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