New Grad.. No Job(Of Course).. What should I do in the meantime?

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hi everyone,

So its the usual story on here.. I can't find a job. Only about a handful of my graduating class have a job. I'm in Northern California where jobs are so scarce. My dream is to get a Peds position on any unit at all, (I have a minor in Child and Youth Studies, Senior Preceptorship in a Level IIID NICU, volunteer work at crisis nurseries), but at this point I'm willing to settle for almost anything. Any advice?

I'm planning to meet with a pre-natal clinic to be a VOLUNTEER RN next week, but that's about it. I need a job of some sort just to have a little money and I was thinking about applying to a gym to work as a childcare worker.. Is that stupid? I felt like it was kind of like babysitting but for a company at least and I needed something that would add to my resume. Anybody else have any other suggestions for a job that will look good on a resume? I can't work a CNA job since I have my RN and I'm considered "over qualified". Volunteer work suggestions? Other suggestions?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated :). I'm so lost at this point in my life and it's been really rough in my personal life as well but I'm still trying to stay strong and never lose hope!

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hello, I am new to this site as far as posting. I just moved to Oregon from Northern Ca (Humboldt County)..may I ask where you are roughly looking for a job? That might alter my answer to this post. Anyways, nothing is stupid at this point in my opinion. I mean, a job is a job in this community right? At the end of the day, whatever brings home the money. There are so many college students out there who are being forced into a job not using their degree and being forced to pay back their school loans at the same time. Volunteer always looks good. One thing I really learned in a small community, everyone knows everyone which means, you will make connections to other job opportunities when you land a job-regardless of where it is. Sometimes, a person's strong work ethic screams volumes and people talk. I am currently in a nursing program, but I made valuable connections when I applied for a job as a medical assistant in a busy surgical practice, I didnt know anything, they trained me and I learned so much that is being discussed in my program now plus I made huge connections with the hospital so if I ever move back to the area, I learn who to talk to regarding employment. So I hope this helps ease your mind. Hang in there and good luck. It is amazing to me how many new grad nurses are having a hard time finding a job and yet we have a shortage on nurses..go figure.

Hi everyone,

So its the usual story on here.. I can't find a job. Only about a handful of my graduating class have a job. I'm in Northern California where jobs are so scarce. My dream is to get a Peds position on any unit at all, (I have a minor in Child and Youth Studies, Senior Preceptorship in a Level IIID NICU, volunteer work at crisis nurseries), but at this point I'm willing to settle for almost anything. Any advice?

I'm planning to meet with a pre-natal clinic to be a VOLUNTEER RN next week, but that's about it. I need a job of some sort just to have a little money and I was thinking about applying to a gym to work as a childcare worker.. Is that stupid? I felt like it was kind of like babysitting but for a company at least and I needed something that would add to my resume. Anybody else have any other suggestions for a job that will look good on a resume? I can't work a CNA job since I have my RN and I'm considered "over qualified". Volunteer work suggestions? Other suggestions?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated :). I'm so lost at this point in my life and it's been really rough in my personal life as well but I'm still trying to stay strong and never lose hope!

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Specializes in ICU.
Hi everyone,

So its the usual story on here.. I can't find a job. Only about a handful of my graduating class have a job. I'm in Northern California where jobs are so scarce. My dream is to get a Peds position on any unit at all, (I have a minor in Child and Youth Studies, Senior Preceptorship in a Level IIID NICU, volunteer work at crisis nurseries), but at this point I'm willing to settle for almost anything. Any advice?

I'm planning to meet with a pre-natal clinic to be a VOLUNTEER RN next week, but that's about it. I need a job of some sort just to have a little money and I was thinking about applying to a gym to work as a childcare worker.. Is that stupid? I felt like it was kind of like babysitting but for a company at least and I needed something that would add to my resume. Anybody else have any other suggestions for a job that will look good on a resume? I can't work a CNA job since I have my RN and I'm considered "over qualified". Volunteer work suggestions? Other suggestions?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated :). I'm so lost at this point in my life and it's been really rough in my personal life as well but I'm still trying to stay strong and never lose hope!

If your situation permits look into applying for jobs outside of California. From what I hear new graduate nurses are basically given no shot up there. Small towns in Texas are always looking for qualified new graduates, it's always worth a shot.

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Thank you guys for your advice!

Cowgirl2nurse, I've been applying to practically every hospital I can find in CA. I've been using Indeed, SimplyHired, and the actual websites of the hospitals. That's so great that you've been making great connections! There were RN I/II positions open at the hospital that I did my senior preceptorship and clinical rotations and I made some pretty strong connectsions, but they ended up choosing those with experience (even though the job post stated "less than 6 months experience"!!) which is pretty frustrating.. I'm still going to keep trying and thank you so much for the advice and sharing!

Commonsense, yes! I applied to Parkland hospital just today and I'm hoping there's is some luck there! Do you know of any hospitals specifically that are looking for new grads? I'm not too familiar with Texas so I'm trying to research some hospitals. Thank you for your suggestion!

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Specializes in ICU.
Thank you guys for your advice!

Cowgirl2nurse, I've been applying to practically every hospital I can find in CA. I've been using Indeed, SimplyHired, and the actual websites of the hospitals. That's so great that you've been making great connections! There were RN I/II positions open at the hospital that I did my senior preceptorship and clinical rotations and I made some pretty strong connectsions, but they ended up choosing those with experience (even though the job post stated "less than 6 months experience"!!) which is pretty frustrating.. I'm still going to keep trying and thank you so much for the advice and sharing!

Commonsense, yes! I applied to Parkland hospital just today and I'm hoping there's is some luck there! Do you know of any hospitals specifically that are looking for new grads? I'm not too familiar with Texas so I'm trying to research some hospitals. Thank you for your suggestion!

Most of the larger hospitals are going to want experience or new grads with stellar resumes. Try applying at smaller and more rural hospitals. The ones I can think of off the top of my head are Baptist St. Anthony's, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, and Midland Memorial Hospital. Try looking all over though, best of luck.

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I'll definitely look into those hospitals. Thank you so much for all your help!! :)

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Specializes in ICU.
I'll definitely look into those hospitals. Thank you so much for all your help!! :)

Not a problem, I hope life works out in your favor.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
Thank you guys for your advice!

Cowgirl2nurse, I've been applying to practically every hospital I can find in CA. I've been using Indeed, SimplyHired, and the actual websites of the hospitals. That's so great that you've been making great connections! There were RN I/II positions open at the hospital that I did my senior preceptorship and clinical rotations and I made some pretty strong connectsions, but they ended up choosing those with experience (even though the job post stated "less than 6 months experience"!!) which is pretty frustrating.. I'm still going to keep trying and thank you so much for the advice and sharing!

Commonsense, yes! I applied to Parkland hospital just today and I'm hoping there's is some luck there! Do you know of any hospitals specifically that are looking for new grads? I'm not too familiar with Texas so I'm trying to research some hospitals. Thank you for your suggestion!

Medical City in Dallas has new grad internships posted on their website for application at this time. They strongly prefer BSN even when they do not list it but they have openings in a lot of specialties, in particular a lot of pediatric and neonatal specialties.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Volunteering is a good start: it puts something on your resume (though be sure to specify that it is volunteer/unpaid work), does give your experience, lets you get a few new professional references to put on applications, and allows you to network. That's what I did while I was searching for my first job, and it did impress a few interviewers because it showed I was doing something with my skills instead of sitting around waiting.

Just one thing...if you go to volunteer, you're there to VOLUNTEER. Don't go with the sole aim of schmoozing a job. Yes, a job is a good reason to volunteer but shouldn't be your only one. Instead go in and help out cheerfully in any way that you can, even if you're not doing RN stuff. That will go a lot further towards making a good impression and boosting your chances than if you spend all the volunteer time trying to chase down NMs and job leads...after all you don't want to be known as "that one who's only here looking for a job." Because if you can't do what you're asked to as a volunteer, how do they know you'd be capable of doing what you're asked to when you're hired?

Best of luck.

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Great comments! I am also a new graduate, RN-BSN, and will begin to volunteer in a Med-Surg, or ICU unit (no RN job, but on the floor). I had interviewed for a big hospital before, but finally not chosen. Anyway, what I want to add is that the interview for the volunteer position was very, very similar from the one I had when applied for a new graduate RN. This may be an extra advantage since it's like practice to shine in your real interview.

Good luck to everybody!

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Skilled nursing facilities are hiring new grad RN's in my area, west coast and I don't live too far from where you are. The jobs are never advertised. I no longer feel sorry for new grads with no job. Everyone wants the glory jobs but what about our elderly? The pay is better than the hospital as a new grad. And don't balk when they tell you, you will have 20-30 patient's. I am learning a ton and I get to help people, I get to be a nurse and pay my bills and use what I learned in school.

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i would happily work in LTC, my only issue is that many hospitals don't consider this good enough experience to land a hospital job later down the road. do you know of any new grads who worked in LTC / SNF for a year or two and then moved on to an acute care position? i would hope things are starting to change and hospitals are being more open minded as most new grads are only able to land jobs in LTC these days.

- my only other issue with LTC is working 8 hr shifts vs 12 hour shifts as i commute to see my fiance whenever i can so 12hr 3x a week is more ideal. anyone know of LTC facilities that are on 12 hr shifts?

Skilled nursing facilities are hiring new grad RN's in my area, west coast and I don't live too far from where you are. The jobs are never advertised. I no longer feel sorry for new grads with no job. Everyone wants the glory jobs but what about our elderly? The pay is better than the hospital as a new grad. And don't balk when they tell you, you will have 20-30 patient's. I am learning a ton and I get to help people, I get to be a nurse and pay my bills and use what I learned in school.
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