New Grad BSN, RN, PHN, EMT and can’t find work. Legality of working as a CNA?

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Hi all,

I graduated with my BSN in December 2018, got my RN and PHN in April 2019, and six months out and have only had one interview offer and (I WISH that I were exaggerating) over 80 rejection emails. I also have my BLS, ACLS, and PALS... with NRP on the way. It has become apparent to me that I’m not qualified for the competitive new grad job market in San Diego and possibly California.

I’ve been rejected from SNFs and Home Health agencies because I don’t have at least a year of experience. I’ve applied to prisons, schools, camps, amusement parks, and more. I’ve applied all over the state of california at even smaller non-hospital facilities for both RN 1 positions and new grad positions. I need to make ends meet. Yes, I’m depressed about it but I’m still working hard at it - filling out at least one new app every other day and studying for further certifications in the mean time. I’m filling out each job app and writing new cover letters that are very customized to the facility and city that I’m applying to.

Bills are stacking up and my student loans have gone into repayment... and not all of them can be deferred or reduced income based repayment.

So, now I’m on to plan B. It has been over six months out from graduation. Except for one hospital that I haven’t given up on, there are no more new grad cohorts for me to apply to in my city (San Diego) that would start within one year of me graduating. I don’t have the experience to apply to any local facilities for non-new grad RN 1 positions. So, I’m hoping that I wouldn’t be considered as someone looking to just get into internal hiring for new grad considerations. As of today, I’m going to apply everywhere LOCALLY for CNA/LVN/EDTech spots. I’m placing emphasis on local because I would relocate anywhere in the state of CA for an RN position, but I wouldn’t relocate for a CNA/LVN/EDTech position.

Does anybody know of any San Diego facilities will hire an RN in a CNA/LVN/EDTech role? I’m also applying to work in EMT positions on local ambulances. What is the legality of working in those roles as an RN? I just want to know what I’m getting myself into here and what I need to do to protect my RN license. Thanks!

- Broker than broke, BSN, RN, PHN, EMT (useless nominals at this point)

Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.
3 hours ago, NurseJackieRealLife said:

One area you could look at is "travel" nursing. You don't necessarily need to travel but you can take contracted assignments in your area. I'm from Florida and I had a friend that would vacation in California for two weeks with her family. The first week she would take a week long nursing contract and then the second week she would spend with the family. Contracted nurses are usually paid more, and I have noticed some companies recently that have advertised no experience required. Even if you take a short contract, you can at least say that you have some experience and keep looking for something more permanent. Good luck!!

Travel nursing is not an option for a new graduate with no experience. I have known travel agencies that also do permanent placements, because they are just a staffing agency like any other. Maybe get your resume out to a few of them?

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Have you had your resume reviewed or redone by a professional? I used to work in an office with a cubicle next to a recruiter. The things that make them toss applications to the side are numerous...

An email address that isn't professional

Small typos

Voice change (going from third person to first person)

Odd formatting or too many erroneous details

Anything that may even *hint* that you'll be a handful/hard to work with/you are pretentious

Not saying that any of these things apply to you, but an outside opinion might not hurt.

Also, if your resume lists all your credentials and you state that your NP is in progress, this may raise eyebrows because they know you will be out of there as soon as you complete your NP.

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Specializes in PHN, CCHP.

Hi there. Sorry you are having such difficulty finding work. San Diego is super saturated with RNs from what I hear. (I had a co-worker who commuted from Oceanside to Irvine for work).

When I first got my licence in 2017, I was also in a similar situation as yourself. I applied to maybe 5 to 10 RN1 and new grad positions every other day. I'm in L.A., it is very competitive for new grads. But what I also did was apply to private duty/home health LVN jobs. I went on job search engine sites (can I mention the name of the site, starts with an i ends with a d??). I got an interview and started orientation that same week. Wasn't the best job for benefits or pto, but I was able to pay the rent and keep food on the table. I worked there for 3 months while continuing to put in applications. Ended up getting hired for a new grad position at a hospital 20 miles from me. Home health places will hire a new grad RN for an LVN position in California.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

You've tried nursing homes? They hire anybody and it's better than nothing. Or move. I would.

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Where did you go to school? Do they have any ideas for you? Most schools have connections with facility openings. Who are your references? Many times utilizing nurses you precepted with while in school are good connections. Look for some part-time volunteer experiences to build your resume. I am getting recruitment letters for positions in southern Oregon and Seattle Washington. These include sign on bonuses, loan forgiveness and moving expense assistance. Like someone else said, have your resume reviewed to see if something is standing out that needs changed. Do you need to explain about gaps in work years? Good luck in your search.

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Hello Oceanhugger! I graduated in 2016 from Kaplan College/BrightwoodCollege in San Diego (They are closed now though lol) and I feel your struggle. I actually live in Riverside County and made the drive to SD for school. My first job was at a SNF in San Bernardino. 3 months in I started walking-in to hospitals in Riverside County handing out my resume and I scored an on the spot interview with the managers and got a job a month later on a Med Surge floor. SD is a tough place for new grads. If your personal situation allows for it may be getting a job in Riverside County would yield more results. Literally, every SNF job I applied to in Riverside County with a measly resume I always got a callback for an interview. But new grad hospital programs are also in abundance here. I have a fellow coworker originally from SD relocate to Temecula for a year just to get into a new grad program in Riverside and then move back down to SD when he got that 1 year of acute experience. He's working now at Sharp. Don't give up hope! On the topic of working as a CNA. You can actually apply for a CNA certificate in the State of California using your schooling as a nurse for credentials. I actually did it while I was still in nursing school! The requirement was that you need to have finished Fundamentals. I still have the packet of documents you need to submit to CDPH if you want to do that. You can private message me if you want them ?

Edit: I just re-read your original post. If you are willing to relocate anywhere I think there are some job postings I can recommend to you.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 6/27/2019 at 2:19 PM, Oldmahubbard said:

I am only an NP, and an RN. I can't work as an LPN, or a CNA. I never had the training.

If you're an RN, you have all the training an LPN or CNA has. They do not know anything you don't. Not that that gets you hired into those positions.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 6/27/2019 at 2:41 PM, oceanhugger said:

Thank you - this is more along the lines of the information that I was looking for. So, if say an IV looks extravasated, as an RN I’m supposed to stop the infusion. As a CNA, if I got hired as a CNA, would I be allowed to stop it? If I left the room to inform the RN, would I be in trouble as an RN for not stopping the IV before going to get the RN?

If you stopped the infusion, you would be in trouble for messing with it because you're not working as an RN. If you left it to go find a nurse, you would be in trouble because you actually are an RN and should have fixed it promptly.

Working below your actual qualification creates a lot of damned if you do, damned if you don't situations. Whatever you do, you are at chronic high risk to be thrown under the bus.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
On 6/27/2019 at 2:46 PM, Oldmahubbard said:

I will get hate for this, but I worked as an RN after graduating with my NP degree. No they did not have to train me, it was SNF. No, I did not tell them I was an NP. I had RN after my name, still do, and had to put food on the table for the 6 months it took to find a job. We would have lost our 100k house.

Bring on the hate. I did not lie on an application. I would do the same in a minute if necessary.

Yes you can work in these roles, but it sounds like you might need to move.

Why would you think you would get hate?

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I'm in the same position ? Six months graduated, in SD trying to figure out life

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Oceanhugger, have you think about working as a care giver. Some home health agency will are willing to take in unlicensed personnel. I been in your shoes before . I went to school to become a medical assistant and I was not able to land on a job within a year. I ended up volunteering for a whole year as a volunteer and started working as caregiver. That was when I decided I need to give LVN try . Some home health agency will hire caregiver with CPR . I was doing the caregiver for many months on and off. All the agencies took me in because I had some volunteer experience as medial assistant and thAt I went to medical assistant I did not earn much back them but I still better than nothing. As far as LVN can you find a low cost LVN course . LVNs are always needed in a home care settings and school settings. I admire you Oceanhugger you graduate and get your RN license and you are my real life hero for that reason. I myself still trying to find a perfect in home care setting but I will stick it out because one day I want to be a register nurse just like you . Keep trying and never give up please . I will be sending you good thoughts and keep you in my prayer .

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