New Grad Job Searching without Referrals?

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I hope this is not a bother but as a new graduate, I am just wondering if there is anyways to find jobs that will hire/consider new graduates? I have applied to a handful of places and even got one phone call back (waiting to see if they will call about an interview, however, this was a referral from a current RN who works there). I am just wondering if there is any way to find positions that will even perhaps hire a new grad without a referral? I have filled out a handful of applications and am trying to not take it personally when I do not hear anything back as I know there are MANY more qualified, experienced RN's out there who deserve to get the jobs. Honestly, I am open to any hours and flexible for specialties (except OB and Long term would be my least favorite). All the other clinical locations and classwork I had I thoroughly enjoyed! 

Specializes in Can not wait to find!.
2 minutes ago, Janelle4Nurses said:

Hey,

Have you found a position yet? What state are you looking to work in?

Hello, I am not sure if this was for me but if so--> I have a couple of in-person interviews next week, I got through two phone interviews today, this is the furthest I have got so far, so there is some hope! But nothing like offers yet and oh I am in the Minneapolis suburbs area of Minnesota but willing to relocate. Thank you all for your help! I tried that incredibleHealth site and they seem helpful! Except that they do not operate in Minnesota and you need 12 months of experience before they can help. 

On 7/9/2021 at 8:55 AM, bitter_betsy said:

Try looking for new grad positions specifically.  Hospitals near me usually have a job posting that states new grad.  Also look for residency positions as these are designed for new grads.

Good call, thank you. 

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Yes, NewbieNurseRN, it was for you. ? If you're willing to relocate, there's a hospital in Missouri with multiple units hiring and many of the units will accept new nurses. Let me know if you're interested.

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Specializes in Can not wait to find!.
On 7/4/2021 at 7:57 PM, NYCnewGrad2021 said:

I got a job offer from a retirement home where the census is 42 patients with 2 nurses and 4 CNA's. 75 biweekly and 45 dollars per hour is the pay. Would you advise a new grad to take this position to buy time until a hospital opportunity opens up?

Wow, 45/hour seems like an incredible wage! Long Term Care facilities seem to need more help than ever, and I have also contemplated LTC but not sure my area offers that kind of pay...I suppose NYC is more expensive than Minneapolis but still.  

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Specializes in Can not wait to find!.
13 minutes ago, Janelle4Nurses said:

Yes, NewbieNurseRN, it was for you. ? If you're willing to relocate, there's a hospital in Missouri with multiple units hiring and many of the units will accept new nurses. Let me know if you're interested.

That is very interesting and kind of you! For some reason, it will not let me PM you but just curious how that works licensure-wise? Also, I apologize but I would not be able to answer that until next week at the soonest. Also I just realized MN is not a "compact" state...one of like 5 states that isn't.

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Yes, I can't DM either. Let me know next week and I'll look into the license question for you.

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Specializes in New RN, Looking for Job.
20 hours ago, Janelle4Nurses said:

Yes, I can't DM either. Let me know next week and I'll look into the license question 

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.
On 7/15/2021 at 5:13 PM, NewbieNurseRN said:

For some reason, it will not let me PM you but just curious how that works licensure-wise? Also, I apologize but I would not be able to answer that until next week at the soonest. Also I just realized MN is not a "compact" state...one of like 5 states that isn't.

Not sure what you mean about this. You can't have a driver's license in more than one state-- you surrender your old state one when you apply for your new state one-- but you can have as many nursing licenses as you want to pay for. Compact state isn't a requirement. At one point I had eight or nine state licenses, but my home state isn't in the Compact yet so I had to pay for all of them individually.

If you are leaving state 1 for another, you apply to the BON in state 2 for a state 2 RN license by reciprocity (sometimes called "by endorsement"), do whatever you have to do for them (fingerprints, CORI check, transcript, coursework on reporting abuse are some of the common ones), and send them the fee. You can keep your state 1 license active by paying to renew PRN.

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Specializes in Can not wait to find!.
On 7/20/2021 at 11:27 AM, Hannahbanana said:

Not sure what you mean about this. You can't have a driver's license in more than one state-- you surrender your old state one when you apply for your new state one-- but you can have as many nursing licenses as you want to pay for. Compact state isn't a requirement. At one point I had eight or nine state licenses, but my home state isn't in the Compact yet so I had to pay for all of them individually.

If you are leaving state 1 for another, you apply to the BON in state 2 for a state 2 RN license by reciprocity (sometimes called "by endorsement"), do whatever you have to do for them (fingerprints, CORI check, transcript, coursework on reporting abuse are some of the common ones), and send them the fee. You can keep your state 1 license active by paying to renew PRN.

Oh, I see, I wasn't sure how that works. I appreciate you clarifying for me. All of a sudden things are starting to heat up! After weeks of not hearing much of anything, it feels many of my applications are reaching back out for interviews at the same time! I have no complaints and really am praying one of these I can land! Unless I really mess up, I believe I will be able to stay in my state. I hope and pray one works out! 

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice, Wound Care.

My first references were nursing instructors, can you get a couple that way?  Also, the southeast is hiring, but you won't get anywhere close to $45/hour.  Best of luck in your job search!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
11 hours ago, FallingInPlace said:

My first references were nursing instructors, can you get a couple that way?  Also, the southeast is hiring, but you won't get anywhere close to $45/hour.  Best of luck in your Job Search!

I was going to suggest this. It's how I got my job as a new grad (well before I graduated!)

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.
On 7/15/2021 at 5:13 PM, NewbieNurseRN said:

how that works licensure-wise? Also, I apologize but I would not be able to answer that until next week at the soonest. Also I just realized MN is not a "compact" state...one of like 5 states that isn't.

It’s more than 5 states; last I looked fewer than 30 states were in the compact though more are considering it.

The way it “works licensure-wise” is that you can hold more than one state license. You can take NCLEX in the state you’re in and then when you have a license you can apply to the state you’re going to for a license by reciprocity (also called “by endorsement”) there.

You will have to meet the requirements for any state where you want to be licensed, but otherwise all you have to do is apply the way they tell you. Go to the BON websites and follow the directions. Be sure to allow several weeks (maybe 6-8) for processing.

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On 7/4/2021 at 7:57 PM, NYCnewGrad2021 said:

I got a job offer from a retirement home where the census is 42 patients with 2 nurses and 4 CNA's. 75 biweekly and 45 dollars per hour is the pay. Would you advise a new grad to take this position to buy time until a hospital opportunity opens up?

Congratulations! That's awesome! 

I've also been considering retirement home or rehab just because there are a ton of job postings and I'm a new RN in need of a job. I don't know much about what it's like to work in these places though; that would be my only concern. I'm interested to know how it's going for you. Please keep up posted. ? Good luck!!

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