New Grad in need of Advice =(

[>--stethoscope--o]

After pulling all nighters, biting my nails, and not sleeping some nights I finally graduated! :yeah:The only problem is I do not have a job. I've recently graduated with a BSN and have been looking for a job sense mid October. I really did not start fill out a lot of applications until mid December. So far I have filled out 30-40 applications. I have had two interviews and they both turned me down. I take NCLEX the first week of February. Right now I'm not currently employed. My loans payed for living expenses and because I graduated those funds are pretty much gone. I have people who are dear to me helping me financially, but there is only so much they can do giving the fact that they also have their own expenses. Any advice to my situation would be greatly appreciated.

P.s. The majority of those that I graduated with have a job. :icon_roll

[>--stethoscope--o]

Anyone?

[fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN]

network network network!

i just graduated 3 weeks ago, so no job yet for me either. i apply to at least 4 jobs a day (no exceptions, i make myself). i also go to any nursing organization meeting i can find to meet nurses, i join all the groups i can on linkedin, and i make sure that every single person i meet knows i am a new grad and looking for a job- so far 5 people have said they know nurse managers and are passing on my info.

good luck!

[D.R.A.]

Hmmmm? Well, when we look at the fact that most who graduated with you have a job I think we need to ask a couple questions. When did they start applying? Did they already have positions as an aid in the facility in which they were hired? Do you have any work experience at all? Have you had anyone take a look at your resume? Lastly, who are you using as references?

These are merely an attempt to facilitate conversation, and hopefully we can do some brainstorming here and figure out how to get you hired somewhere ASAP! Don't give up, you can do this:)

[♑ Capricorn ♑]

Does the school you graduated from have any type of employment assistance? If so, I'd contact them and ask them about it.

You can also try asking the place where you did your clinical practicuum or school externship and see if they'd be willing to take you on. If that interests you.

Jobs are tight right now but apparently the economy is getting a "little" better. But, not by a long shot. I know one can't really be picky as far as jobs go these days. I don't know what places you've applied to or where, but all I can say is stay open-minded. If all the places you've applied to were hospitals, then try applying to long term care, senior nursing facilities, clinics, ambulatory/emergent care places etc. It may not be what you want right off the bat but at least it'll be something. Then, while you're working you can look into other places.

Also, if you know some people who may be able to help you find or get a job, take advantage of that.

Good luck.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Thankfully I have a job already as a RN because I'm currently a LPN in LTC. I agree with others though, it is very important to network. I'm currently networking to get a RN position in the hospital. I tell everybody that I'm a new grad. You never know who may know somebody that knows somebody. Good luck to all of us.

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

ask classmates that have gotten jobs to mention your name when you put apps in to their units!

[>--stethoscope--o]

To D.R.A. Those in my class started applying when we were still takin classes. I talked to a few of them and some said they applied in facility and got called back that same week and got the job others applie at a few more places and got a job. When I tell them how many applications I've filled out they look at me in shock because I still don't have anything. Alot of those that got jobs deere not previously employed there either. When I fille out my application I provided a copy of my resume for every one to see. In one facility I've had to fight to get them to let me talk to unit managers so that they would know I'm interested. As for references I'm using an instructor, my bf, and a friend who is a nurse. And yes I have been previously employed before.

[>--stethoscope--o]

To Capricorn I don't know I my school has employment assistance but I talked to a school counselor and she told ne to start applying out of state. Right now I'm leary of that because I have no money to start my self off so I'm trying to stay put and at least stay with in the state. I also talked to another faculty member and she told me to apply at wal-Mart. Yes I'm serious that is what she told me. She told me to get a job anywhere and then to continue to look. Today I put in an application at a long term care facility and I'll be giving them a copy of my resume and cover letter tomorrow. Hopefully I get something so I don't h e to get my power shut off again. Yes it's that bad.

[>--stethoscope--o]

Sorry for all the grammar errors. It still tricky for me to type with two thumbs.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

The job market is really bad: there's tons of new grads and not enough jobs to go around...plus employers know they can be very choosy right now since there's so many applicants. You could do everything perfectly in the job hunt to a T and still not land the job for a variety of reasons, a lot of which may not have to do with you.

Unfortunately the fact that you haven't taken the NCLEX yet may be working against you, since a lot of employers won't consider applicants until they have passed it.

There's tons of advice in this forum so I won't rehash it all in detail. But the key tips: apply everywhere--don't just limit yourself to hospitals. Be flexible about what specialties you'll work in and what shifts you will take. Have the resume and cover ready at all times. Network...and don't limit networking to just talking to nurses: a classmate got her nursing job through talking to someone in her church who happened to know a nurse manager that was hiring. Never turn down an interview. Check facility job listings frequently as new grad jobs often appear without fanfare and are posted for only a short time.

And realize that it may not happen right away: some new grads have had to search months, even up to a year, before they landed the new grad job. I realize that won't help your current situation--you need a job a lot sooner--but unfortunately that's how it is. If necessary, pick up a non-nursing job to pay the bills while you keep searching.

Good luck

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Be willing to apply anywhere, even LTC to get your foot in the door. Think about going rural if you can. Rural areas always need nurses. If you are flexible, you will find a job. I moved away from everything familiar in a big city in order to start working right away. Now the rule of thumb seems to be 2 years experience, so it's best to start working somewhere as soon as you can. Networking is also very important. Ask your friends for leads.