New grad=no job=work anywhere even not nursing?

caliotter3 · Dec 10, 2014

Don't overthink this and make yourself sick over it. When the time comes, you will either get a job in nursing or you will not. If you do not get a job in a time frame that is acceptable to you, you will be the one to make the decision to look elsewhere for work. At least when you have your license in hand, you will be able to apply for opportunities when they present themselves. If you are working at a different type of job, you can always tell the interviewer that you needed a job in order to survive. If a prospective employer chooses to hold that against you, there is something wrong with them, not you. Good luck.

kristen312 · Dec 10, 2014

If you live somewhere with lots of nursing programs, you may have to commute to work or even move, if that's an option. It takes some people a year or so, which really isn't THAT long. I plan to serve in the meantime, you can actually make pretty decent money doing so.

Baubo516, RN · Dec 10, 2014

A lot depends on where you live. I got my LPN license in February and applied at only one LTC facility and with 2 home care companies. I only got called back by one home care company, but they hired me and I have worked PRN for them ever since. There are 2 hospitals in my town, but they both have quite a few positions posted right now. The LTC's are always hiring around here. I would try not to stress about it right now, while you are in school. Think about if you would be willing to move for a job, or maybe get a CNA job while in school. I am a 2nd career nursing student - 40 y/o when I started the program. I worked as a CNA in a nursing home and then at a hospital. I graduate next week with my Associates Degree (to be an RN) and I have been hired on the same unit where I have worked as a CNA for 3 years. The nurses and management knowing me and my work ethic really helped me to get this position. Also - it's not just working as a CNA that helps - you have to be a hard worker and act like you really want to be there. I worked with another CNA/nursing student that my manager would not have hired because her attitude was poor and she did not like to work very hard. Lots of time standing at the nurse's station talking and complaining. Good luck with school!

RunBabyRN · Dec 10, 2014

I went back to an old retail job when I gradu until I could get enough work in nursing to survive. There was a nurse I met during her preceptorship who was still working as a waitress 9 months or so later. I started working (even very part time) about 2 weeks after I got licensed. I am working 3 part time gigs right now, and will hopefully be down to 1-2 part time and one full time soon. I graduated in May. Nursing is paying the bills, at the very least. I'm still trying to crack into acute care, but I have leads.

You can choose to make yourself sick over this with worry, while you have no control over it right now, or you can choose to take it in stride and do what you need to do to work while you obtain nursing work. There's no shame in that.

Take me a look at the market in your area. Speak to graduates of the class or two above you.

Nursing homes and home health agencies vary in their requirements, but you can usually find one that will accept new grads if you do a little research. I applied to one SNF, and was hired that afternoon.

Two things you can do to increase your odds of finding work are obtaining certs like ACLS and considering moving to a less saturated area. Don't give up too early.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2014

As a new nurse I relocated from my high-unemployment home state (California) to a state with a slightly better job outlook for nurses (Texas).

If you have the money, my suggestion is to relocate to a less saturated job market, gain a year or two of experience, then attempt to return.

sjalv · Dec 10, 2014

Where do you live? This is probably the #1 factor in whether you fill find employment as a new grad or not. For instance, I live in Oklahoma and everyone who just graduated from my school's ASN RN program has jobs that they have either already started, or that are waiting for them given they pass boards. Places where these people have been hired without prior experience include: L&D, CVICU, Med/Surg, OR, and PCU. These are just the ones I know of.

What's my point? If they were in SoCal, they'd probably be volunteering at a flu clinic having wished you'd worked as a CNA at a hospital during nursing school and done an externship.

zzbxdo · Dec 10, 2014

Seriously, stop burying yourself. If you're willing, apply out of state which are in need of nurses and come back later. Its hard getting an acute position in california, yes, but so are engineers and it professionals in their respected fields. Shouldn't be too bad getting a job outside of acute care of you are willing to move around ca. None of my friends whom were willing to relocate or open to all opportunities were unemployed too long.

By the way, you can probably get point across in a few sentences. Lots of fluff to read through hah.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Dec 10, 2014

Absolutely work at another job if you have to and keep applying and looking for your nursing job.

Many people do this at first in many fields.

No big deal unless you allow your self to just quit pursuing your nursing job because you have a job......

What area do you live in?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2014

What area do you live in?

Per posting history, the OP is somewhere in California, a state with a 43 percent unemployment rate for new grad RNs during the first year and a half after initial licensure.

I will reiterate that those who are willing to relocate, network, or compromise will not be unemployed for terribly long. I am from southern CA and I chose to relocate out of state.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2014

Hi everyone,
I understand new grads with zero experience have a very tough time getting a fulltime RN job (except for maybe new grad programs and some exceptions).
But.......... if a new grad just simply simply SIMPLY cannot find work (even at nursing home or home cares or at jobs that are really less competitive than RN jobs)......... then wouldn't the last resort the new grad have is to take anything even outside of nursing simply just to earn to survive? But obviously that wouldn't change your experience from zero anyways. So....... if someone finds themselves in this position (unable to get any type of nursing-related job), what else can they do? (besides taking a job unrelated to nursing of course)
In addition out of curiosity, I am not job hunting yet but when the time comes, I am definitely open to applying to absolutely anything, ANYTHING. So in your opinion, how hard is it to say, get a home care or nursing home, position from the external with little to no experience (no internal connections or anything)?
I'm sorry but hearing horror stories really shook me up (many of which are some people who graduated nursing and are now selling cars, becoming waitresses, or just babysitting to get by and as a result, have a bunch of potential debt and remorse and they even told me that their degree is worthless. :/ )
I apologize if it's a dumb question, everyone. But hearing from those who have come before me really instill fear in me when I know I shouldn't let it!
Thank you so much! :)

((HUGS)) You need to breathe! You have not even started your program...you are going to make yourself sick. These are a few of your posts and you haven't even started. I know it is better to be prepared and educated but you are going to drive yourself into an ulcer.....((HUGS))

Seasons better than others to graduate?
Study so hard but still struggle? Advice please?
Internships vs externships vs volunteer: which has better market value?
Calling/Walking into HR while job searching?
How do new grad programs narrow down applicants?
Nursing salary not that useful to pay back loans?!
NEW GRAD Having a hard time getting finding a job.
Maybe the grass is greener on the other side.

Yes the market stinks....especially in California and especially for ADN and diploma grads. You will need to be flexible to area where you live or even change states. But driving yourself to distraction isn't going to help.Is

it worth it....I think so depending on why you have chooses nursing as a second degree.

Breathe...whatever will be will be...there are jobs to be found. It will be Ok. Live within your means, minimize your costs/loans. How much is your tuition?

((HUGS)) I wish you the best.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2014

Nursing homes are more than willing to hire new grads. I found APPLYING IN PERSON to be the key here. Fill out the application there and when you turn it in, ask to speak with the DON. It took me a while, but I received most my call backs and job offers from the facilities I applied in person for (SNF and LTC).

I don't think a nursing degree will ever be a 'worthless' degree. The jobs are out there, you just have to get creative and put yourself out there.