New Grad, Can't Get Hired?

[Justineqt]

Hello!

I am a RN-BSN graduate from an accredited school of nursing class of 2016. I moved across the country upon graduation and got licensed in my new state in February 2017 (It took a while due to multiple long issues with the BON).

I graduated with honors and have 1,200 clinical hours and a 300 hour capstone. I have multiple letters of reference, a nice resume, and a nice cover letter. I've had old professors and preceptors look over all of my resumes/papers, and they say everything looks great. I also feel like I do well in social situations, ace all of my interviews (according to the people who interview me?) and generally people take a liking to me.

I have applied to most places within an hour of me, every position, every availability, everything I can find. I'm applying for about ~30 positions a day, and about 50% automatically tell me no. I also always check to see when new positions have opened that I can apply to. I get called in for interviews for a few positions...but not many. Interviews seem to go well, they act very pleased with me and interested in me, tell me they can't wait to see me next, then I get letters that another candidate was hired. Its been four months so far and none of my interviews have come to fruition. I am worried I will have to apply for a license in another state and start searching for jobs elsewhere.

One thing I keep getting is "We're looking for someone with more experience", but my last interview said they preferred New grads. I did two interviews (nurse manager and peer), and shadowed with them. The way they were speaking to me it sounded like they had already decided to hire me. They told me to look for a call from them the following week. Instead I received a letter stating "another application has been chosen...".

Is there anything I can do? Anything I am doing wrong? I feel I am getting so discouraged and stressed. I spend hours prepping for every interview, and the interviews keep going so well but then I don't get hired. I am so excited to start working, even anywhere, I don't care at this point, but every day I check my application statuses and see "another candidate has been chosen".

[RNGummy40]

Unfortunately nursing programs are not blunt about the difficulties in obtaining a RN position for new graduates. Clinical hours and senior practicum/capstones are not considered actual nursing experience. Depending on your region, hospitals may be very disinclined to accept new grads if they are not entering a RN residency program. One of the major concerns for hospitals is that 1/5 nurses will leave nursing practice within the first 1-3 years after graduating. The decision to leave nursing is made while having an RN position. The RN residency programs are being built and reinforced to retain nurses.

Have your tried looking at your state nursing association website? Depending on the state, they may have job postings or links to available RN residence programs. Also try the ANA website. I know they have info on RN residence programs. It may take a year before you get hired, and you may have to take a position outside a hospital. If you can get into a specialty, like psychiatric nursing, take it. If you don't like it just keep building on your nursing practice and keep applying.

Career Services at the University of Pennsylvania

New Jersey Nurse Residency Programs – RNDeer

[Jacquipals]

Is there a HealthSouth facility nearby? They hire new grads. I worked for one in MA and had lots of good experience. Good luck!

[caliotter3]

Don't rely on online applications. When I was hired during the recession, I had to find a reason to go to HR in person. Putting a face to your application will hopefully land you more interviews.

Almost all of my applications for work have been made when I walked into the facility, ready to interview. One time, I was talking to the person at the front desk. He excused himself for a few moments, and then I noticed a lady walk by who seemed to look in my direction. I got a call back after submitting the application, and the lady who walked by, apparently to check out the person who walked in off the street, was the DON. She interviewed me and I was hired.

I always tell people to do the pound the sidewalk routine. Go to places with your folder of employment papers, dressed to interview. You may not be offered employment each time you do this, but all it takes is one job offer.

(I have never received an offer of employment when I apply online.)

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

Hi! I moved to NJ! One of the Nurse Managers I interviewed with said the NJ BON is notorious for taking MONTHS to process applications (Even though I was calling them every 2 weeks).

Uhh....this may not be what you want to hear but a very experienced colleague of mine (my preceptor, in fact) moved to NJ and remarked before leaving that it was incredibly difficult to find a job in the specialty we work in. NJ and California (and I believe NY) are notoriously filled to the brim with RNs. Just keep at it...or, try moving to Florida. They can't seem to get enough people there.

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

(I have never received an offer of employment when I apply online.)

Yeah, you gotta get out there and do the foot work. See if there are any job fairs at the local schools around you coming up. There should be since a lot of people are getting ready to graduate. Good luck!

[vanessaem, BSN, RN]

As a new grad, nobody wanted to hire me and it seemed like the rejection letters were sent to me before I had a chance to send my resume...lol. So I feel your pain. But 4 months? Heck, it took me 18 months, yes, 18 months to get a job in a hospital. I worked in a nursing home and did home health nursing before that, neither of which is considered experience to hospitals.

Everyone wanted someone with experience. Well, can't get that without getting hired. All the experienced nurses started somewhere right?

I had to move from NY to TX to get a job. Sometimes it's about whom you know and/or luck or in my case, casting a wide net and moving elsewhere. At times, it's about moving to a location where there is a need. I know it's frustrating but keep trying and don't give up. It will happen for you soon enough.

P.S. The day I got my job offer in Texas, I got two calls for interviews the same day. Go figure.

[Tparker]

ANY NEW GRADUATE RN's looking for work? I have an excellent opportunity for New Grads in South Bend, Indiana! They are taking new grads for their Med/Surg, Ortho/Neuro/Trauma, Cardiac Stepdown, and Cardiac Neuro Short Stay units. If interested contact recruiter: Tiffany Parker at 615-371-4457 or email your resume to [email protected]

[mar1ama, BSN]

Hello,

If you are willing to move to the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area, there are plenty of jobs for new grads. Some hospitals in this area are even hiring new ADN grads in several specialities. Just a thought. Good luck and don't give up.

[Delancree]

Hello new grad. First, let me start by saying that the one mistake new grads always make is "only look for positions at hospitals". There are so many other options out there for RNs. While I do understand the need for the hospital experience, please understand that you must start somewhere. Plus...RN experience anywhere is RN experience. The way healthcare is going is away from the hospital setting. I live in the big apple, and major hospitals here are shutting down their inpatient wings to make room for "observation and outpatient services"...which explains the Urgent Care Centers trend. Patient care is moving away from hospitals to the home setting now. I know 8 nurses who worked in hospitals for decades who were recently laid off because their departments closed. My advice to you is to start with home care if u cant find anything else right now. Home care cases are at least $90 per case, 45 minutes a case. At Nursing homes the patient load is usually high 1:15 at least and 1:30 where I have worked. You d be crying after week 1. As for interviewers, they are trained to make you feel as if you will get the job. I am not saying you didnt ace them, however they ll make you feel that way 95% of the time and turn you down. That "no experience" nonsense is just an excuse. After all, if you are assigned a preceptor, what is the sense in having all that experience to start? I know about 10 nurses whom I had graduated with, who were hired in hospitals right after graduation, and some even before they sat for the NCLEX...it really is nice to know the right people in the right places. I also have seasonned RNs from med surg, step down, post op, ER, whom do not get hired because they are "overqualified". Employers have to show numbers to the suits by a certain time...so conducting countless interviews is part of their grant fetching process.

Do not focus on hospitals only. I am sure you"ll get plenty of offers once you find something you really like.

Do not get discouraged. After all, the hardest part was Nursing school, and you made it out of there. Explore other options.

Best of luck.

[Vpabin]

What state are you in?

[turtlesRcool]

After all, if you are assigned a preceptor, what is the sense in having all that experience to start?

The sense is that when people have experience, they'll need less precepting.

At my hospital, it's standard to give 12 weeks to new grads. If the new RNs come along slowly but seem promising, they'll extend the orientation process. If the new hire comes along more quickly, they'll end the orientation sooner. If the hospital hires someone with experience, they might only need a few weeks of orientation to be up and running on their own.

Obviously, a short orientation with an experienced new hire is less expensive than fully training a new grad. Also, so many new grads leave the field that hiring someone with a known track record is a better bet since he or she has already survived the learning curve of the first year.

[Embers_Fallen]

I moved out of NJ for that reason: I'm working in Allentown, PA. The PA board of nursing took me a month and a half to get my ATT and my temporary permit. I would have loved to work at the hopsital where I did my residency and was ffered a job upon graduation, but I needed a change of pace and scenery.