New grad nurses- what did you do to get hired?

Elleveein, LVN · Jun 9, 2011

The hard part is our lack of experience, theres seems to be plenty of work for the experienced nurse. I got my job before i took NCLEXPN, I worked as a medical assistant then moved to LVN after passing, if i wouldnt have done that i what have never got it. California is saturated with new grads and more and more graduate by the day, my only advice to is to go in and apply try to NEVER just fax a resume. Goodluck.

bornthisway · Jun 9, 2011

thanks!

ibrn2010 · Jun 9, 2011

keep trying and take whatever is available even if its not your first,second or even third choice...

sese79 · Jun 9, 2011

Me personally had to travel from NJ to OK to get speciality job that I wanted. Like many others stated in other forums, they had to travel especially in rural areas.But if you can't leave your area, I suggest apply to as many openings that you can find.

beach sunbuRN · Jun 9, 2011

It took me over a year to find a job post graduation and I had to move to another state. I went from a mid-sized city to a smaller city too. Mid-sized/bigger cities seem harder to get a job unless you have experience. The hospital I work at also loves to hire new grads where back home they only had a few openings for new people. I would recommend looking outside the area in smaller towns. My old roommate in nursing school found her job in a doctors office on craigslist, so that's always an option too! Hope everything works out for you

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jun 9, 2011

patience. really.

Bezoars · Jun 9, 2011

I personally just took whatever I was offered. The job I have is one I did NOT want, but now I'm glad to have it... and I have gotten lots of experience

PeachPie · Jun 9, 2011

In Houston, we have about 6 nursing schools in the area. This means a glut of new grads every semester, with hundreds of applicants competing for a few coveted jobs. I drove out of the Houston area into one of the many surrounding suburbs. The commutes were long, and I eventually moved closer to the jobs. After a year and a half of living in the boring suburbs, I applied to jobs within Houston and was able to move back into the city.

Go to the places where there aren't a lot of new grads. Look for smaller, less advertised facilities such as long term acute care and rehab hospitals.

Ms.RN · Jun 9, 2011

In Houston, we have about 6 nursing schools in the area. This means a glut of new grads every semester, with hundreds of applicants competing for a few coveted jobs. I drove out of the Houston area into one of the many surrounding suburbs. The commutes were long, and I eventually moved closer to the jobs. After a year and a half of living in the boring suburbs, I applied to jobs within Houston and was able to move back into the city.
Go to the places where there aren't a lot of new grads. Look for smaller, less advertised facilities such as long term acute care and rehab hospitals.

Peachpie, could you give me an idea of what suburb you moved to? I'm in Houston too and having no luck with finding a job

Lizzie21 · Jun 9, 2011

When I was new grad I would email the hiring managers on the units that I did my clinicals on. Then I would go to each of the units at the hospital, with resume in hand and went to find the hiring manager. It worked

Bridge85 · Jun 9, 2011

Hi Bornthisway,

I know it's hard but try not to get discouraged. I felt the same way you do and just like that things turned around for me. I went from absolutely not call backs to five interviews and four job offers in a week! I suggest applying to at least 10 to 15 jobs everyday and expanding the locations you are willing to work in. I live in Texas and I would have loved to work in Dallas but not one hospital called me back from that area. I ended up taking a job in Temple...not a place I would have chosen originally but I am super excited now! Good luck and hang in there! You will find a job soon!!!