new grad looking for work with limited resources

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Hi, I'm a recent nurse graduate and have had my license for almost a month now. From the stories I've heard it seems like I should prepare myself to have to wait another four months to find work but I am so incredibly impatient and am doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING right now and I can't stand it. I apply like every other day online to local hospitals and even as far up as ft. lauderdale (im in miami) to the same positions all the time. The first thing that worries me is that in my resume all I can put is my education and experience as a pharmacy tech which I no longer am, it doesn't look at all impressive but I know I still have to make one. I don't have any customer service experience but I know I could prove myself to be great if I was given an opportunity. The other thing is I don't have a car and so I live with my parents although I'm DYING to get out. I will go crazy if all of August goes by and I still don't have anything, hoping it doesn't get to that point but come on, I need SOMETHING!!!!!:uhoh3:

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Where are you and where are you looking?

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Specializes in ICU.

It might be hard for you to do without transportation, but have you thought about volunteering at a hospital? I just finished my first year of school, and took my LPN boards, but I didn't want to start working because I am going to go back and finish my RN. I am volunteering at an ER to get my 120 hours internship completed. I had precepted at this same ER in the Spring, and my preceptor agreed to let me come back and do another 120 hours with her. The manager talked to me the other day and said it was a shame I wasn't an RN yet, because they would put me right to work. This ER never hires new grads, a lot of it is being at the right place at the right time (a nurse walked out and quit the other day while I was there). If you volunteer where you want to work, you may be there when someone quits or gets fired. If not, then you could always put your volunteer time on your resume. Just a thought. Good luck to you and God bless.

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Specializes in Psych.

Try St. Marys hospital in West Palm Beach. They are hiring for there critical care new grad training program.

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Specializes in Psych.

Also register with Maxim there a nursing agency the pay is cheap at 18/hr but they have lots of work. Actually register with several agencies. Also go to indeed.com type in RN new grad in your search window. Some places are hiring new grads only.

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why not volunteer at a hospital in the meantime? Your pharm tech experience is still "work experience". I would emphasize what you've done in clinical during nursing school :)

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Thank you all for your input, it is more than helpful. I actually tried volunteering at a local hospital but I was told there was no point in doing that b/c it couldn't be counted as experience and I wouldn't get direct pt. contact. I will keep trying.

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There are other options. Call the Nurse Recruiter at the Hospitals you are interested in and ask about a residency program. If you are able to get into a residency program you will have to sign a contract that specifies how many years you must stay, or you would have to pay back the cost of the program. Residency programs are the BEST way to get started.

jennrnbsn Experienced Nurse

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Cardillo Associates

I found this website to have some highly informative articles, especially in the Student Nurse section. There are ideas about what to put on your resume, job strategies, etc. I was recently putting my resume together as an old nurse, and was very excited to be able to use some tips from here.

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I'm part of an RN residency program but that doesn't gaurantee me a job. I went on my second interview wednesday for a new grad OR position but I haven't heard from them yet. I didn't have to sign anything yet, just had to apply and meet the requirements. I am praying I get the position but I'm not gonna hold my breath, there are few positions here and lots of graduates. I only have one job reference too as a Pharmacy tech and I think my lack of experience outside of nursing school is gonna keep ruining my chances next to other candidates but we'll see. I can only keep trying and hopefully I get a break some place. Sorry to go off on a tangent, just pointing out the residency programs are not the same everywhere.

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