New Grad Freaking out about jobs

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I graduated in December and just got my license in April. For this past month I've been submitting resume after resume after resume. Probably about 50-60 so far. I am not picky, and very flexible. I applied to Hospitals, LTC, Rehabs, surgical centers. I got one interview at an ambulatory surgical center but they are looking were looking for an Experienced OR nurse so this job was definitely not for me. They don't even have training!

It seems NO ONE is wanting to give a chance to brand new nurses...

I am in DESPARATE need of money, in huge debt cause I took off work to study for HESI's & NCLEX. credit cards are maxed out.

So I've even called couple hospitals to see if I can work as a Nurses Aid but since I already have my RN license no one wants to hire me for an NA position. I've even called my previous employers but due to my license they don't want to hire me. (I've worked previously in a Radiology center and a Physicians office as a medical secretary)

I don't know what to do. I'm even ready to apply as a cashier or office work but even that seems like I am wasting my time since I won't get more nursing experience.

I am willing to move to a different state but even that costs money to apply for reciprocity. So before I do that I need to make sure that there is a job market where I will be making another license.

Can anyone give me some advice? Is there any state that is more open to brand new nurses? Is anyone getting a job in NJ as a new nurse? Any help will be greatly appreciated. :eek:

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From what I've read and heard, New Jersey is just as bad if not worse than Pennsylvania. I start nursing school in the fall 2010 and this makes me wonder if I made the right decision. Everyone says it will improve but I've not seen anything to indicate that.

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hi rn4ever79, i'm sorry you're having such a tough time with the job search. i graduated last May, got my license in October and haven't found a job yet either. i've looked in hospitals, ltc, clinics, home care and in multiple states (mainly in MA) but haven't had much luck anywhere. since you said you're willing to move, i would look at washington dc hospitals. i have a number of friends who have been able to get jobs there since graduation. also, i would suggest ohio..i have a friend in hospital administration there and he says they really need nurses.

also, nurse managers and HR representatives i've spoken to said that it is good to have another job on your resume while looking for an RN job. i know it's not fun to not be able to use the license, but they like to see that you have a good work ethic. they know the market is tough and if you are working (in anything) while doing the job search, it makes you look better.

if you're willing, you could also look into federal jobs such as those in federal prisons. that was suggested to me recently and i just started looking into it.

it is definitely rough out there for new grads. good luck :)

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Look into southern states!

Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas, and etc.

Google hospitals in thoses areas and start applying.

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Thanks all for ur input. I'll keep trying ^^

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Specializes in all.

don't just send resumes..go to the units find the managers and introduce yourself and hand them a resume. That is the advice I followed when I graduated 100 years ago when jobs were scant and it worked. If the people who hire are able to put a face with the resume you move ahead of all the others sending in those meaningless pieces of paper...good luck!!!

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Specializes in cardiac unit.

I live in a Cleveland, Ohio suburb and graduated from nursing school in December of 2007. At the time I graduated, many (or perhaps even a majority) of the nursing students in my class already had jobs lined up and waiting even before graduation. We were lucky. The climate in Cleveland now is very different and the situation sounds similar to what you're experiencing. New grads are lucky to be able to find a job in a non-skilled nursing home...IF they're even that lucky. From what I'm hearing, many are unable to find a job in the field at all. The nurse manager on the floor I used to work on recently told me that she got over 120 resumes for a single job opening! The good (?) news is that it doesn't seem to be a "new grad" thing as much as a "what happened to the nursing shortage?" thing. I know quite a few experienced nurses who are looking to change jobs and they are having a hard time as well. In our area, it seems that the only RN's who can readily find something are those that have ICU and/or ER experience. Soooo...don't know if this helps, but things are, apparently, rough all over. And again, it's not just new grads...so don't get down on yourself. Things have got to get better. Good luck!

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Specializes in geriatrics, peds, breast care.

Dear Freaking out nurse~ my advice to you is that if you have put out 50-60 resume's you need a FRESH resume! I googled 2010 resume nurse template, and showed my rough drafts to several hiring managers that work in the hospital that I work in, and got advice. You need a cover letter(VERY important) and include references, even if they don't ask for them. I work with a girl who has a Human Resource degree, and she told me that a cover letter is what determinded whether or not she even wanted to look at the resume. She said some that didnt bother doing a cover letter, she just tossed aside, because she assumed they didnt want to take the time to do one, then she didnt have time for that resume either. I know that sounds harsh, but thats how it works. Good Luck to you!

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Specializes in Pediatric, Psych, School.

Freaking out, you need to pace yourself. The job market SUCKS big time in the NY-NJ-CT area, not to mention PA...and, well, the rest of the country. Pace yourself and brace yourself for the long haul. It took me 10 months to find a job, and many of my classmates (May '09) are still searching. It's horrible, but you'll find a job eventually. Look into temp, part-time, anything. Apply for licensure by reciprocity in NY, CT, PA--anyplace you can get to without needing a plane. Look into online continuing ed courses for more resume filler. I have RN friends who are still working as patient care techs, but they're keeping their skills fresh and constantly learning. It's a whole lot easier to get a job when you have a job, so consider everything. I wish you a LOT of luck. Things will turn around--at least that's what I keep telling myself! ;-)

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Specializes in Pediatric, Psych, School.

Oh, and I want to echo missyadams. When you send your resume and cover letter, include your list of references with full contact information as well as a couple of LETTERS of reference from your clinical instructors, professors, etc. It's easy to file a resume away, but when it's accompanied by letters oooohing and ahhing about how much of an asset you would be to their organization, it goes a long way toward getting the right pair of eyes to look at you.

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Since you said you wouldn't mind relocating you should come to Indianapolis, IN. I work at a Magnet hospital downtown and we have jobs. No sign on bonuses I don't think, but we have competitive pay and I love my job! Inbox me if you would like to know the hospital. Good luck!

Tiffany

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I am on the same boat. Graduated in November 09 and got my license in April. I have applied everywhere for RN and LPN (since my LPN license is still active and I have 6 yrs exp) No one wants to hire an LPN with RN license because they figure once you get an RN Position you will leave. I have resorted to applying for social services because I was a Coordinator for a Womens Health Education program before I went into nursing. Also applying for customer service and call center jobs because I have LPN experience in Call center/Pharmacovigilance.

This situation is discouraging. I stopped working to further my career in part motivated by the "nursing shortage" to find out I cant get a job and when I get one I will probably be making less than my top agency pay as an LPN. I have loans/bills due and no job and it seems no one will give me the opportunity. I have gone as offering to volunteer until a position becomes available or until I am trained. Also have revamped my resume and cover letter X3 to see if that was the problem. Been on a couple of interviews at the most for home care but they say they are slow so you gotta wait til cases become available. Still Nothing.

Still I live and breathe nursing and would not choose another career. I will keep you posted if I hear of any openings. :nurse:

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