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.
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.
No you are not doing anything wrong. Unfortunately it is the economy that we are in at this time. Have you tried other hospitals outside of California? It may be that the ones that you have applied to are being inindated with applications and they are focusing on the ones that have experience.
Keep trying, the hospital for you is out there, it just might take a little longer to find it.
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.
do NOT show up unscheduled! It is disrespectful!
It is just fine to call the units you are really interesting in working on, and asking for the full name and direct phone number of the Unit Manager. It is fine to try to get an introduction to them from someone who knows both of you.
Suggestion: How about doing some volunteer work on the unit? You would get to know the staff, you would be visible to the staff and management, and you would be able to demonstrate your work ethics, good attitude, etc.! If you volunteered for 4 hours a day one day a week in several different units, it would increase your visibility and show commitment to the unit. Ex. make Mondays and Fridays volunteering days, leaving T-W-Th for interviewing and "pounding the pavement". Mondays and Fridays are often extra busy days for managers, so often not the best days to be contacted anyway.
good luck.
yes, the work market sucks right now, even for experienced nurses!
Jobs for new grads have been thin long before the economic downturn. We were advised at our empty job fair to move out of California. A private college brought in the Army for their broke ($25k tuition) grads. They were offering substantial sign up bonuses for tours in Iraq. You are making it hard on yourself by applying where there is huge competition for very few openings. Give yourself a break and avoid this overloaded market.
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.
Living out of state was always a red flag when I was in the position to hire. If you are truly moving to California, then give your interviewer a date of arrival and a date of readiness to work (they are not the same). Remember anytime you moved, there was always a reason you had to take time to meet the cable guy, the electric guy, the mover, etc. Employers want you there to work and taking a 1/2 day here and there when you are first hired does not bode well. Give a real date.
Also, try to find the name of the manager or supvervisor of the department you are interested in working and forward a copy of your resume and application to that person. One copy to HR and one copy to the manager and mention that in your cover letter. Do not bypass anyone that could possibly help you get hired without including them in the loop. That way, no communications will occur that could be perceived as sneaky.
It must be a California thing. Come to Texas - nurse positions are everywhere here. I know folks fired on the spot after their first interview.
Sorry...please help me...what does that mean? (fired on the spot after their first interview)? Does that mean that there are so many nurses, it's easy to fire nurses since they're a dime a dozen? Or does that mean....I can't even think of an alternative. Huh?
Hi, I am new to the site and new to the human field of nursing. I spent the first 16 years of medical career as a cert. veterinary technician, but with higher costs of living, 2 kids etc, had to make a change, so I turned my love of nursing and medicine in a different direction. I live in NH, and I also graduated in Dec 2008, I have my EMT license, did work as a LNA for 2 years before going to school, and do have a medical background. However, even up here the jobs are out there, I have applied for over a dozen, just anything to get in the door and gain more experience. It may not be my dream job but I want to start somewhere. I have only heard from one agency, did 1 shift and that was a disaster. But that's a whole-other thread. So even up here, the jobs are out, but it seems a lot of places just don't want new grads. I hear alot of "come back with a year or 2 of experience". I would love to! But first I need to get it. At this point, hospitals are out for me, being a LPN until I get my RN license and at least a year or so under me, so I going to the nursing homes, where it may not be what I really liked, but it will give me experience dealing with at patients/residents. I can get better at my skills, time management etc. I switched fields because the vet. tech. field pays so low, even for someone such as myself with credentials and being highly skilled. However, it is discouraging when you send out resumes, and DO get replies, but at the end of the conversation hear, "you need more experience"
Well, I'll keep sending and something will turn up.
I graduated in september, not a usual time to graduate and no grad programs start at this time. I passed nclex in december. I still have not found a job searching missouri and california. One person suggested I try nursing homes. A recruiter from a large hospital told me that the longer it takes you to find a job after graduation the less likely your are to be hired. This person also stated that if you start out at a nursing home it is difficult to get hired on to a hospital. I am thinking of calling my state board and have my license canceled so that I can at least work in a hospital. Low pay as a tech I know, but at least I will be working to help people.
hey e411joseph- I also graduated in September, so I feel your pain. I think we both interviewed at UCLA med center as well. I don't think you should give up hope just yet!! It sounds like you can relocate ( I can too) so i have been looking at USAJOBS and at VA jobs all over the country. Try that? You worked so hard to get your license, don't give up yet!
do NOT show up unscheduled! It is disrespectful! 
:smackingf::prdmltywf:
dede1956
70 Posts
No you are not doing anything wrong. Unfortunately it is the economy that we are in at this time. Have you tried other hospitals outside of California? It may be that the ones that you have applied to are being inindated with applications and they are focusing on the ones that have experience.
Keep trying, the hospital for you is out there, it just might take a little longer to find it.