New Grad - Desperate

Boston_Nurse · Mar 7, 2012

If it is any consolation you aren't alone in this boat TCASII! I graduated from a BSN program in December with a cumulative GPA of 3.99, I have been volunteering at a local hospital for almost a year now, I have a second degree in psychology, and I have management experience in another field, but I can't even get an interview! I passed the NCLEX about a month ago, and since then I've applied to 30 positions ~ not a single call back! Nothing! I am feeling incredibly discouraged as well, and I'm starting to panic about if, when, how I am ever going to get an RN position. I don't know what we are supposed to do...................

GirlOnPfizer, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2012

Youre in Arizona? Try Chandler Regional Medical Center, they hire new grads and have a great training program.

Boston_Nurse · Mar 8, 2012

Thank you for the tip! I actually sent in an application to Chandler Regional Medical Center earlier today!!

:nurse:

TCASII, ADN · Mar 8, 2012

Thanks! I'll look into Chandler Regional as well. Yes Boston_Nurse, this is very frustrating. Some of my classmates have sent out 300 applications to places in several states and been rejected at every turn. I hope something gives soon.

frodo-dog · Mar 16, 2012

If Chander Regional doesnt pan out...

I graduated in Dec 2011, quicky found out that unless you have an in, no hospital will hire you. I started working for Loving Care Agency Home Health, yes there are some awful HH agencies out there (MGA), but LCA has a new grad program, they provide paid training on vents etc, they pay $22/hour, but the experience is something on your resume and when you get that, you can apply to hospitals.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2012

I've applied so many places and have no idea what to do. I've only had my license for a short while, but I feel with an ADN and no experience that I'll never get in to a decent place. I worked in surgery years ago but what I did there has no bearing on average CNA experience. I've got student loans and bills to pay. I truly think I'm gonna be on the street soon. My work for the last 10 years or so was with the family business, so hiring personnel don't like that they can't get references for being my own boss, so to speak.
Classmates I know have gone to HH agencies, but the pay is low and I read horror stories on here about them, plus the one place we did clinicals at, so I know how bad it was. I interviewed with one place but they clearly weren't going to train me and wanted me to sign a contract.
I'm not overly picky, but going to school for an RN and having a lot of bills and loans requires me to make a certain amount of money to survive. Our clinical sites made it clear that they don't hire non-BSN new grads or don't even hire new grads at all right now, so networking was pointless.
I'm really feeling like NS was a waste. If anyone has any advice or recommendations on safe facilities conducive to new grads, please PM me and let me know. Very depressed now.

We have a lot in common. I graduated with an ADN. I had no healthcare experience. I had been self-employed for ~10 years and lacked employment references of any kind. I had huge student loans weighing on me like an albatross. Hospitals in my area locked out hiring new grads.

I moved a few months after graduation. I got a good nursing job in a rural location. Bought a lovely house and got a new car. Earned my RN-BSN. It took moving to a rural location where the nursing shortage still existed.

UnicornRN · Mar 18, 2012

North Dakota hires new grads.

fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2012

look into outpatient surgical clinics and women's health clinics. i graduated in december and started working in surgical services(i do pre-op and post) at a women's clinic a few weeks ago. i applied to 127 jobs between the time i was licensed (jan 20) and the day i started(march 1)- it's rough out there but something will pan out!

TCASII, ADN · Mar 19, 2012

Thanks for all the replies. I'll look into all of them. Multicollinearity - I'd love to know where and how you did that. lol. I've looked at a few rural places but haven't found much. I'm a male if that matters fromthesea, I don't know if a women's clinic would want me there. haha. I'm surprised you mentioned surgical though. I'd expect them to want experience and more training. You needed ACLS at least though right? Still haven't found the money to do that. :-/

fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2012

we actually have a lot of guys working there! you don't need acls for pre-op and recovery at my place, i don't have it yet. they do want me to get it eventually so that i can circulate. the job posting i applied to for them asked for two years experience and acls, but they called me anyway. i always hear people saying not to bother applying to the postings that ask for experience, but i'm proof that that's not the case. good luck!

TCASII, ADN · Mar 19, 2012

Wow! That is interesting. I guess there is hope. All these apps and nothing still has me feeling like nothing exists, but I guess it does. :-)