NEW GRAD NURSE with LICENSE can't find work...

goingCOASTAL · Sep 7, 2006

I find it hard to believe that you can't find any kind of work -- maybe specialty areas (or your desired specialty) requires such "new grad internships," but it's hard to believe that overall. Look for a med/surg job instead - it will teach you a good basic foundation in hospital nursing, something that you can carry with you and build from when you train for your specialty in the spring, and it will give you the experience you need later if life circumstances create a situation where a more general nursing job is your only option.

If you can't find a hospital job "at all," then look for one in a nursing home. Whatever you do that's health related will look better on a resume than scanning groceries at Target. If you must do retail, then volunteer on your days off. Don't let future employers think you aren't serious about getting a nursing job.

777RNThatsMe · Sep 8, 2006

I have had a hard time finding what I WANTED too... I came close, but the money was too small...so then kept looking..was offered 2 positions ...that I didn't want...so turned them down.... these were NOT hospital jobs though... then I took another NON hospital job and knew w/in a week..no go...then came back and starting applying (late, as you ) to the hospitals..and there is nothing to be found for new grad.... I am not in a huge city though.

However..I did finally after a week of hard searching...get an interview for like the ONLY day shift left in the hospitals .... and the only way I got the interview was I remembered what the nurses in my preceptorship had said...dont' just fill out an app - bug the HR...go by/call...more than once. Show interest...but then they said...beyond that...CALL the unit manager you are applyling at...call the floor that shift and ASK them to put you through to voicemail of the director of that unit...that is how I just got that interview...I left the unit mgr/director a msg and then got a call back.....

Now, I am being considered ...had I not called...I probably wouldn't have gotten the interview. So PUSH for the jobs you want...bug, bug, bug. Show you want the interview....

Apparently the days of decent places begging for nurses is long over!!!

I have been told "maybe"..and am being processed thru their system...it has to go to several people for processing and if a snag occurs anywhere I don't get it.

So I have also started to apply out of state for those that say they have new grad openings...

But the position I just interviewed for said "experience preferred"...well, when I interviewed..I was told I could not go into THAT unit direct BUT they would be willing to CONSIDER hiring me for a stepping stone (i.e a tele/acu/ccu type job stepping into icu later on down the line).... so perhaps you may apply for what you want...but end up being offered a stepping stone....

But again... CALL THE MANAGER. Forget HR..they sometimes aren't on the ball.

That is my 2 cents...best of luck to both of us!!! :mortarboard: :nurse: :nurse:

auto5man · Sep 8, 2006

Wow, I'm surprised. Shocked might be a better word! I don't know if a geographical move is possible for you but you might consider it. Here in Memphis for example, you would virtually have your pick of jobs at any of 6 different local hospitals! BOTH of the ERs I work in hire new grads...

What is the new grad "program" you are referring to. Here in Memphis there is no special program for new grads who have passed boards. You are an RN once you have passed boards. New RN's perhaps get a longer and more careful orientation, but no special program.

David

haji · Sep 8, 2006

I feel your pain. I moved out here to the north bay area from Tennessee after working for a year on a telemetry unit in a big teaching hospital. I thought I had some good beginner experience and with a little luck I'd get into an ICU and learn some stuff. Its not like I expected.

Its hard to get into an ICU right now. After almost 2 months of applications and phone calls I have had 3 interviews, and 3 job offers, all on med-surg. units. After looking into that I decided to hold out a little longer for the job I want. So I've been calling people a couple times a week and I might get an interview at a local ICU.

In Tennessee I had 5 interviews and 5 job offers in a couple days! I think that part of the problem is that some hospitals have hired a bunch of new grads at the beginning of the summer and now they don't want to take on any more, especially in the specialty jobs.

777RNThatsMe · Sep 9, 2006

Bingo, Haji...I just talked to calif today...and they can interview me next week for a specialty unit I want (Pacu and/or L&D) both offer new grad even days.... but...starting in Feb. I also don't know how I'd do it the cost of living is so much more there (LA)... and on the wage.... I don't know how. But it's like a smorgasborg... I mean a new grad walking into L&D/Pacu...six months training... wow...I just wish it paid more.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 9, 2006

At thid point, you have two choices, start with med-surg and get some experience, or wait until next February.

If you are unwilling to move, then there are no other choices. Facilities do what is cost effective for them, and training just two times a year usually covers them. It ie expensive and time coinsuming for them to train for a specialty area.

777RNThatsMe · Sep 9, 2006

Right..I can take a job now..just to have income. Then - move to calif in Feb. they actually offer the jobs now..and expect you.

But, I'm not sure if I should go for it or not b/c of the cost of living..I'm not sure how I'd make it, that was what I meant...but also that it was so cool to even FIND a program with six months of training in specialty. I guess they are out there. I'm totally willing to move. I just want to be able to keep a roof over my head if I do!

suzanne4, RN · Sep 9, 2006

The programs are out there, but you need to fit around their schedule. They do not work around yours. The other thing to consider is that the Bay Area is the highest paying in the country, therefore they also get many applicants applying all of the time. To sit and wait for a possible opening is crazy. You need to do something productive now.

Sheri257 · Sep 9, 2006

Apparently the days of decent places begging for nurses is long over!!!

I really don't think that's the problem. The problem is applying after new grad orientation starts at different facilities because new grads usually require at least six weeks orientation, often a lot more.

At a local hospital in my area all of the new grads, regardless of what unit they work in, have to attend many orientation classes a group. Once they get that group of new grads together, it's really a pain for them to hire someone who has to play catch up halfway through the orientation.

If they do hire that new grad after orientation starts ... that means somebody has to do all the teaching/training again for just one person and, sometimes it's not worth the trouble ... even if they're really short on nurses. At that point, it sometimes makes more sense to hire an experienced nurse who doesn't need any orientation.

:typing

happylvn · Sep 10, 2006

Have you tried the dialysis units? They are always looking for RN's and will definately train new grads.

Nitngale · Sep 11, 2006

I can't even believe this thread! What happened to the nursing 'shortage'? Maybe it's just another excuse to bring in foreign nurses and underpay them.