I know this topic is getting a lot of ink these days, but here's my experience on the issue. I post this because I think that there are still an abundance of people struggling to get into nursing schools, and uninformed soon to be new grads.
I graduated in May 2010 from the BSN program in Colorado. I worked as a nurse intern ("ACP") at University hospital hoping to get a little experience before I graduated, as my program consistently provided me with poor clinical experiences (preceptors who didn't wan't to be there, let alone teach).
Simply put, there are very few jobs out there. I'm sure many of you have combed this site and seen the carnage, and it's pretty much the real deal. I know of people who have applied to literally 100 jobs with not one call back. I'm at about 50 over the past 4 months. I've pretty much stopped at this point, as it's become demoralizing. And just so I'm clear, I've applied to 12 different states, all over the map. The one thing that I have not done, (that may hold promise for some), is apply to nursing homes or SNF's. Even If I landed a job in this area, I didn't want to start off my career hating it. Oh yeah, I think it's possible to go Navy or Army, but I've been in the military before and...no thanks.
What's worse, is that I'm married to an RN (charge), my sister is an RN and many of my friends are RN's. I've worked every angle I can think of.
Yes, there are some new grads getting jobs, but it's clearly the exception at this point. The advice that I've seen posted in just about very forum is to call the nurse mangers on specific units, be proactive, go to the hospitals and hand out resumes. Whatever. I suppose that could be beneficial for some, but I have seen no results with this.
I guess I just wanted to put one person's story out there, as it may help those thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of eager students or potential students. Definitely not trying to make people bitter, but it's good to know the real deal.
As for me, I'm pretty much done, trying to get back into my pre-nursing school career. I consider myself very lucky in this regard, as I have something to fall back on (although it's definitely going to be a while).
Well, in CO, of my 5 recently graduated RN friends:
2. I worked my butt off to get into a program that is usually regarded in the top 3 or 4 in the state, I'll have 9 years of medical experience when I graduate, and I have our career center director telling me that I should probably look for employment in other states after I graduate!
Be open to ideas- she's only being helpful ..and honest.
I agree. I have seen this at my hospital. I was lucky enough to get in (after not letting them forget my name for 4months!!!!). But the LNA's on the floor in nursing school do have a better chance. If you are in your first year of school, you should become a LNA and work through school. You will be more marketable, and, to be honest, you will have an edge with pt. care as well!!!!!! :)
I definitely think its going to be tough when I graduate from school. However, it is 100% true that almost every major/career field has this issue. I have just a handful of friends from high school and college who have jobs in their desired field. Many people are still living at home with their parents working at a restaurant because they cannot find anything that suits a new grad in their field.
I think it would be very helpful for people to post what they did for work while in school and their experience that they put on their resume. Maybe turning the post around to bounce ideas off each other will help.
For example: I am getting my CNA cert in January and I am volunteering at a local hospital. I am sending off my application now, with non-nursing related experience and the CNA and Volunteering. Then, when I get my license I'll follow up and also apply again. I don't know if this is going to work but I have to have a job while Im in school and I know that working as a CNA will help me gain important experience of hopefully more than a year.
If you're a new grad or in school, what are you doing to stand out? If you are a current nurse, what did you do to stand out?
Now come on, don't be so negative and down about it all! I too had to move to a new state to get work, been here 9 months, hardly know anyone, no-one close to call anyway. So it has been hard & isolating & still haven't got much money. But I have got experience, that is the main thing.
I know u have probably thought/done these things, but I'll give u advice re what I did:
Have a look at your CV for a start. Is it relevant, do u give good examples of things, is it too long mabye?
Where does your partner & other relatives work, can they help you get casual work even, to get a foot in the door?
Do you go to interviews & perhaps don't dress as well as you should, is your appearance rushed & uncaring? Have u done enough study for the interview, ie: re the institution, studied the job description, what they offer employees, etc? Do you go in with a smile, shake hands, relax, maybe tell a small joke or start up a casual conversation? All these things help relax u and the interviewer/s.
Also make sure you know what you can offer the employer apart from everyone else, ie: good time keeping, say things like I'm willing to work any shifts, be on call if necessary, etc.
Have u been pro-active contacting employers again and again? Of course they will be slack not calling u back - they won't remember u out of thousands of other people. You MUST keep in contact with all the places u have applied to, & say something like: 'Well I'm free at such-&-such a time & date for an interview, shall I come see you then?" It shows enthusiasm & that u are willing to be interviewed. Some people say this is pushy, but you HAVE to be a bit pushy nowadays to get noticed. And they WILL remember you if you keep calling.
Apply EVERYWHERE and I mean everywhere for a job. Think outside the square: not just hospitals, Drs surgeries, private rooms, cosmetic surgery clinics, etc. Many private health businesses like to take on new graduates, as they can train u up to their standards.
Have u contacted all the nursing agencies where u r and in other states? Some agencies (I'm in Aust) will take u on to work at private hospitals as they also like to train people up. I work for a private hospital & move around different wards/areas so it is interesting, plus I get training on the job. Also contact them all & ask if they have graduate nurse programs (some do here don't know where ur from).
Also work in any job u can get and keep ur nursing skills up 2 date (if u can afford it), cos if u work in another job u won't get so depressed and despondent.
I KNOW it's hard, I went through some awful times, still am in some ways. But keep trying, even if u get one day a week somewhere, it is something.
:eek:
Katie5
1,459 Posts
Be open to ideas- she's only being helpful ..and honest.