New Grad Nurse can't find a job, what can I do to improve my resume/skills

[rachelskavron]

So I was licensed in may as an RN and have a bachelors. Like many other nurses I can't find a job! What I would like to do is receive a certification that would make my resume more appealing. I am already ACLS certified. What could I study and get certified in? I am interested in EVERY field except for ob. My ultimate goal is to get into ICU so I can get good experience to become a legal nurse or go back to school to become a nurse anesthetist. however, I love pediatrics, wound care, neurology and many other specialties. Does anyone have any suggestions? Would volunteering in a hospital help? I can't find any volunteer opportunities that would utilize my RN skills, so I'm unsure. Any suggestions?

[ORnurse1883]

Unfortunately, many hospitals do not hire new grads unless they previously worked for them as CNAs. Your best bet is probably to find a job in LTC. You'll start building some experience. Once you have at least a year of experience under your belt, you'll be more likely to find a job in a hospital setting. ICU is a great goal, but definitely not a place to start. Once you get your experience, start with a Med/Surg unit. You'll see a lot more and gain the knowledge and experience to moving into an ICU setting. If you go straight into a high stress unit like an ICU you'll be too overwhelmed and are more likely to burn out quickly. If you can get into a LTC facility, let them know you're interest in wound care, as LTC almost always need nurses to do wound assessments and dressing changes. They may not initially put you into a position like that, but as you build your skills there and they see how good of a nurse you are they will be more likely to use you in the position. Unfortunately, for most any certification you have to be practicing in the specialized field for 1-2 years.

[HAPPYSMILE-RN]

try applied Fort Duncan medical center,,,Im also a new grad .however, i have worked as CNa,Lvn before. i just got offered job from FORT DUNcan medical center with bonus and good pay....i also checked the area and talked to some people work there,,they loved it...So, if you not afraid to relocation, let me know,, ill introduce you to an recruiters and he is awesome and very nice...

They looking for RN to work for long time because the area is border line with mexico and do not have much RN there....i Also want to be ICU nurse in the future so i will do anything to get experience and work hard to learn to become a competent nurse.

About resume skills , im not really sure to give you advice but i do have good interview skills.I think i was convince the DON and let she know that Im very serious with my career, responsible and full of confident to do well.

anyway,,,check out the hospital and let me know if you need the recruiter contact

good luck to you!!

[RNin, ASN, RN]

I went on an interview at Fort Duncan and was offered the position with 24k sign on bonus but the pay was something like $21.39 with $2.00 night differential. Had to sign a 2 year commitment, 7:1 patient:nurse ratio, 4 or 5 day work week, 99% spanish speaking patients and short orientation.

Liked the idea of learning Spanish as it would come in handy in this profession. The area is like a completely different world with everything within a short distance away. Not much to do around there with San Antonio being the closest city at 2.5 hour drive.

Definitely a better option than being jobless but it definitely was my very last resort if I couldn't land another job. Piedras Nigras is the city across the border and there are occasional shootouts there. Don't want to discourage you in seeking Fort Duncan out but just informing you of my experience.