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Discussion

New Grad - am I doing something wrong?

Hello everyone. I've been reading allnurses.com for a while but this is my first post because I feel like I'm going to lose my mind.:o

I'm a December 08 nursing school graduate and just took the NCLEX exam today (Feb 17th) . I've been applying for jobs in California since October 07. Mainly I've applied to southern California and considered northern California too.

From October to now, I've applied to about 15 hospitals (UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, USC, Good Samaritan, several Kaiser hospitals, several hospitals in CHW network [California Hospital Medical Center, St. Mary's LB, Glendale Memorial Hospital, St Mary's Medical Center], Saddleback, and White Memorial). In northern California, I have applied to Good Samaritan in San Jose and Stanford University Medical Center.

I interviewed at UCLA in Nov and after 4 weeks of waiting, heard back from the manager that I was not selected for a position. Then in late Jan, I interviewed at Stanford and am still waiting if an offer is going to be made or not.

Hours of work has been put in refining my resume and cover letter. I even asked previous preceptors and instructors for letters of recommendations to put in my portfolio. I dress in a suit and spend a few days practicing interview questions.

Granted I know that since I'm out of state, it makes things harder but when I read the posts here, I see that it is doable for many new graduates.

I know I should be relaxing and feel relieved to have the NCLEX done but this is very unsettling and it's getting harder to sit in front of the computer for hours night after night researching hospitals and completing the online applications.

Am I doing something glaringly wrong?

Featured Replies

No, you are doing nothing wrong. Its not you, its the economy. I realize this doesn't make it any easier on you but you are not alone. To be honest, I don't know of any hospital hiring new grads in the same way it did when I graduated a few years ago. You may have to start out somewhere else besides acute care and reapply for the New grad programs in the summer. Good luck.

  • Expert

New grads that actually went to school right where the hospitals are located are having issues with getting hired. There are many more new grads applying that are local than there are actual openings available.

We have also seen new grad programs that were to start this past week or two get cancelled at the last minute or two.

And with the state of the economy right now, you would be further ahead to go to another state where they have shortages and gain experience there. Things are quite bad here, and many facilities are either having lay-offs or hiring freezes. As well as the fact that most of the new grad programs in CA only start several times per year, next will not be until summer. But those that have graduated from a local program usually have worked at the facility or have rotated thru as a student so they are very aware of them. And even though HR is required to make the post of the position, many times the managers already know in advance who they are going to take.

Best of luck to you.

  • Author

thanks for the advice youknowho and suzanne4.

I keep telling myself it'll get better once the economy gets out of this rut.

  • Expert

And do not expect it to get better out here for the next year or two. The news out of Washington today is that things are actually worse than they had expected.

Hey,Ahjee, I'm here with you. I graduated in Dec 2008 too. I just moved here from Oklahoma. Things are a little better there. You had a few interviews which gave you a little hope more or less. I sent several applications. None of them replied. Good luck to you and me.

Please dont feel bad. It's really bad right now in finding a job for new grads. I felt the same way. Some hospitals have even closed of their new grad programs because they do not want to invest in new grads. Did you try applying to County Hospitals??? You need to tell them that you are very committed and you would move close to the area so that they would give you a job. Good luck to you...

  • Expert

County hospitals are under the state as well, and they are having issues with funding right now.

Chances of getting hired are going to be quite slim at this time. As well as the fact that new grad orientations are only held a few times per year, next is not to the summer.

I am sorry to hear that you've been having a hard time looking for a job. It is definitely not easy as the economy is so bad.

What you want to do is to talk to the HR department and nurse managers on the floor that you are interested to work. I find that you will stand a better chance if you do that. Show your initiative to work and readiness to learn while talking to them. I got offered to all the hospitals that I applied to. I went straight to the nurse managers and talk to them...asking them what they are looking for in a new grad. Then you start promoting yourself, telling your strengths to make yourself stand out. Don't forget thank-you cards too!

I know most new grad programs already started. But there are still hospitals hiring, so don't give up hope. I have three classmates who just got jobs offered last week. I would say I haven't heard of any of my classmates who is still without a job. If you look hard enough, you will get one.

Good luck to you!

Not kosher I'm sure, but my advice is to bypass HR...go directly to the managers with your applications and resumes. When I was accepted for my new grad fellowship I had already STARTED the program before I ever heard from HR!

And do *something* to set yourself apart from the crowd!! Something to make YOU memorable. I told a new grad looking for employment recently to take cookies when she applies.

  • Author

bypassing HR and going straight to the managers.

I've heard and read this advice a lot. My question is what's the best way to do this? I know it's simple. You go to the hospital and go to the unit and ask for the manager. But I always wondered if the managers would be ok with it, like think I'm being disrespectful for coming in unscheduled.

Thats what my uncle who is working in pomona valley will gonna do.I gave him my resume and he told me that he's gonna give it to the unit manager of the area he is working on.

bypassing HR and going straight to the managers.

I've heard and read this advice a lot. My question is what's the best way to do this? I know it's simple. You go to the hospital and go to the unit and ask for the manager. But I always wondered if the managers would be ok with it, like think I'm being disrespectful for coming in unscheduled.

yeah I dont think it's possible to bypass security w/o your badge anyways.

I have friends and relatives pass my resume and then at the hospital I am doing clinicals at I plan to meet the manager personally.

good luck to us all

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