100+ new grad applications and counting...

[MBA2RN]

Hi, I'm a Dec '08 BSN grad looking for a new grad position in the SF Bay Area. Earlier this week, I hit the "Big 100" as in I've submitted 100 applications for New Grad and Staff Nurse-1 positions with local hospitals. So far, I've gotten interest from 1 hospital. I graduated with honors, have approximately 1200 hours of hospital clinical time, BLS/ACLS, but don't know what else to do.

Went to a job fair today (Kaiser Modesto) and wasn't allowed to even give my resume to any hiring managers because only nurses with at least a year of med-surg experience were being allowed into the conference center to meet with hiring managers.

What do you have to do, to get your first nursing job? Without at least 6 months of experience in acute care, you are unemployable as a nurse. And no one wants to give you a chance to get that experience. Nursing pre-requisites were hard, and nursing school was harder, and the NCLEX was harder still.

But I never thought that once I overcame had overcome all of that, that I might not be able to find a job.

Nursing shortage? It's all a bunch of lies.

[gwafuh_rn, BSN, RN]

Anyone applied at long beach memorial?last wednesday they posted on the internet that they are hiring new grad.

[RNgonewild]

I went to a job fair yesterday in Pasadena and the place was crawling with new grads/student nurses. It was pretty sad. Things aren't what they used to be.

[SummerC]

Anyone applied at long beach memorial?last wednesday they posted on the internet that they are hiring new grad.

I just got hired with them and was oriented with about 70 other new grads. From what I've heard, there is a hiring freeze for new grad positions at LBMMC too. We are lucky we all got in while we had the chance. However the next batch of new grads (June), may not have as much luck. The economy is effecting the nursing industry. New grad programs are expensive and time consuming for hospital units, they make the most money hiring experienced RNs who need a couple weeks of orientation, not a few months.

So I would contact HR if I were you, since the most recent new grad batch just started.

Good luck

[gwafuh_rn, BSN, RN]

I just got hired with them and was oriented with about 70 other new grads. From what I've heard, there is a hiring freeze for new grad positions at LBMMC too. We are lucky we all got in while we had the chance. However the next batch of new grads (June), may not have as much luck. The economy is effecting the nursing industry. New grad programs are expensive and time consuming for hospital units, they make the most money hiring experienced RNs who need a couple weeks of orientation, not a few months.

So I would contact HR if I were you, since the most recent new grad batch just started.

Good luck

Goodluck with the new job.I saw their ad that they're hiring new grad at yahoo jobs.I applied online.by mon,I will go to lbmmc to see the hr personally and give my resume

[want2banurse35]

its a shame, i remember when I first started taking my prereqs in 2003, most of the nursing students at my cc already had job offers:rolleyes:

[jjjoy, LPN]

Just know that it's cyclical and it's highly likely that the job market will pick up again. That doesn't help much when you need a job NOW, but do know that your degree and licensure will still likely be an asset to you both now and in the future.

When I graduated in 95 it was a similar job market as now, as there had been lots of downsizing and layoffs. New grads were competing with experienced nurses for fewer positions. And that, too, was in the midst of cries of nursing shortage. Few of my classmates got jobs straight out of school. It took several months of intense follow up and/or relocating, though most had landed an RN job within 6 months of graduation. I know I applied to a variety of different hospitals across the state and nation that were advertising new grad positions; I was very open to relocation. I barely heard anything back - not even a "thank you for your application, but..." letter. We had zero recruiters come to address us as soon-to-graduate students. So, like today in some areas, the degree of difficulty in landing a position as a new grad wasn't what anyone had expected going in, when you heard about sign-on bonuses and being snapped up for a job even before graduating. A few years later, the crunch was back on again and just having a license and a warm body was enough to be hired in the same geographic areas where previously nothing but a few years of directly relevant experience would've gotten you in.

There may light at the end of the tunnel, but it still is a horribly frustrating situation to be in with only so much you can do as an individual to land that elusive first job, especially if you already have heavy financial obligations and were counting on being able to start earning good money ASAP after graduation. My thoughts are with all of you new grads having a hard time getting that first job.

[newgrad82]

Thanks jjjoy!! Its great to hear a story like that because I have days where I can't imagine there ever being a shortage again. Can I ask you what you did while you were trying to find a job? I am totally open to relocation as well and have looked all over the state of California and surrounding states. I have even applied to the Navy to work as a civilian on any base in the state. Still nothing, and its been over 6 months since I graduated. Any advice?

[yukitiki]

MBA2RN, I am really sorry to hear this.

Are many of your classmates experiencing the same?

I have heard (from a couple students at SMU) that SMU ABSN students are often offered jobs on the spot during their preceptorships at the end of the program.

I've heard this over and over. Does this still hold any truth?

At the info session, the director at Oakland campus was saying that she will "take care of her babies(Oakland campus students)" finding a job. I don't know how much her "taking care" helps but I wish the same was done for other campuses as well.

Appreciate your input and I hope you find a better luck soon. Hang in there!

[MBA2RN, BSN, RN]

Yukitiki, it serves the SMU Oakland director's interest to "sell" potential students on the idea that by choosing SMU, they will have an "in" with hospitals. It helps "sell" the value of their program. I was told the same thing at the SMU satellite ABSN program which I attended.

Unfortunately, more than half of my graduating class is still trying to find their first hospital jobs. And only two were offered jobs at the end of their preceptorship. I think the days of having a job offer before graduation may be gone. At least in CA.

And my application count is hereby ended at approximately 115. I've been offered a seat in a hospital new grad class. But it's been two and a half months of hardwork getting this offer.

And no director took care of this baby.:chuckle

[yukitiki]

And my application count is hereby ended at approximately 115. I've been offered a seat in a hospital new grad class. But it's been two and a half months of hardwork getting this offer.

And no director took care of this baby.:chuckle

You got offered a new grad position? Congratulations!!

Two and a half months is not bad at all from what I have been hearing lately.

Is the position in Bay Area or you had to relocate?

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Congrats MBA! You must be so excited!

[vivicaq]

I am sorry to hear that you having a terrible time landing a job. I live in Michigan and Detroit Hospitals are hiring like crazy, they also have new grad programs the pay is good and the cost of living is not as high, plus they have tons of Overtime. If moving is not an issue i would seriously consider moving yes the economy is hurting but there are pockets of opportunity and healthcare is booming in the Detroit area even for LPNs