New Grad Needs HELP!

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I graduated from Nursing school in May, passed boards in June, and have been applying for jobs ever since. I have probably applied to over 50+ jobs, all with no success. I am in a metro area in Alabama and I have been told that because I have an ADN, no one will hire me especially since I am a new grad. This is very disturbing. My clinical experience was far superior to a local 4 year school and it showed among all of my classmates, we really were that good because our instructors cared that much. The hospital employees loved us because we were trained to bust tail from the second we walked in the door to the second we walked out. None of it is paying off. I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any advice for a new grad running out of options? I'll take any advice I can get at this point. Thanks in advance!

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Is moving a possibility? You may be able to fix a position elsewhere.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nurse.

consider apply for positions in areas that may have been your third, fourth, fifth option. i.e. if you've been applying to hospitals (med/surg, progressive care units), consider skilled units of long-term care facilities (ltcs). also look for state jobs: public health, state psych facilities, etc. also city jobs like a school nurse or even at physician offices. while these may not be your top choices, you can at least get more opportunities to find employment.

long ago, state civil service jobs did not pay well; but now, they pay more than private industry!!! in virginia any way. don't let the salary range listed with a state/city job posting turn you off to applying for a position. if you are a good negotiator, you can/will get the salary you desire, even if it is your first rn job!! if state employment isn't of interest to you right now...down the road, after you've worked some where for awhile and you want to consider a change...try a state job. the state will pay 10-20% more than your current nursing salary as an incentive to get you to work for them. again, in virginia any way. by the way, the only time i list my salary on an application for my current job is when i am applying for a state job because of the fact that their (the state's) intent is to increase the pay 10-20% above what you are currently making.

if you haven't already, send "exploratory" cover letters of employment with your resume. don't wait for a job to be posted in the newspaper or online. contact facilities, get the full name and title of the individual that hires rns (don, recruiter, office manager, etc.) and send a letter directly to him/her stating "dear mr. abc, i'm submitting this letter to explore possible registered nurse positions that may become available within your organization. the attached resume will provide you with information regarding my education and work history... (end of paragraph #1). then go on to sell yourself (education/skills/abilities) in paragraph #2 and in paragraph #3 explain why you feel that you will be a good rn/an asset working for him/her at this particular facility (...why are interested in working there specifically---here do some research about the facility and what they do...) ...."

don't give up. these are hard economic times right now. there is a job out there for you! :)

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There was a recent thread related to this subject (last couple months if my memory serves me right). You might do a search related to successful strategies for job searches. There were some good suggestions but I don't remember them as I am not in a position to need a new job.

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I graduated from Nursing school in May, passed boards in June, and have been applying for jobs ever since. I have probably applied to over 50+ jobs, all with no success. I am in a metro area in Alabama and I have been told that because I have an ADN, no one will hire me especially since I am a new grad. This is very disturbing. My clinical experience was far superior to a local 4 year school and it showed among all of my classmates, we really were that good because our instructors cared that much. The hospital employees loved us because we were trained to bust tail from the second we walked in the door to the second we walked out. None of it is paying off. I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any advice for a new grad running out of options? I'll take any advice I can get at this point. Thanks in advance!

The industry is rough and as good a training as you recieved BSN seems to be more attractive to employer nowadays due to many hospitals seeking magnet status. :/

With that said the economy is also very bad so it makes the search just harder...

My advice is be willing to move out of state/ rural areas/ under served areas. Find out from other nurses how to look attractive for the managers, that is certification or something. Ask yourself how does my resume standout from every other ADN/BSN person applying right now.

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Specializes in Med/Oncology, Emergency, Surgery.

Baptist South in Montgomery hired me from ARIZONA with only an Associates. Several new grads were hired at the same time and went through orientation with me.

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