New Grad positions anyone/anywhere???

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Internship in ICU and PACU.

My classmates and I are having a hard time finding any new grad positions in Northern California and the whole state in general. I passed the boards on July 13, 2009 and have been applying for jobs since April. I have received over 50 rejection emails/letters and am feeling very discouraged. This is my second time coming out of school in a bad economy. I have my BA in Community Studies, ADN in Nursing, and did internships in the ICU and PACU. How do I get these recruiters to call me over the 500 other applicants in the pond? Any advice or lead would be greatly appreciated. I have applied everywhere, even the prison system to no avail. I am willing to move anywhere to work as an RN (out of state). Nursing is my dream and I don't want to be a waitress in the meantime. Thanks for your help!

Melissa

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.

Hi Melissa,

I graduated with my BSN in the Bay Area this May, and most of my classmates are in the same boat as you. I count myself very fortunate that I found a job.

I think the best bet would be to try and get a job at one of the two places you interned, but I'm guessing you've already done that. That's what worked for me. Other people I know that have gotten jobs elsewhere, it helped to get face time with the recruiter or someone else in the hospital who could advocate for them. Unfortunately, that means you're just going to be the squeaky wheel and/or get creative. I've seen quite a few new grad listings at UC Davis Med Ctr in Sacramento lately, you might look at that.

Good luck.

- Mike

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Step-Down, and ER.

Check you inbox.

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Specializes in ER.

Eastern Canada has loads of positions.

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I am a New Graduate in New York City. I graduated in May with an AAS in Nursing and I passed the NCLEX in July. For one month I have been searching for a New Grad position and so far nothing. Not one facility is looking for New Grads. Every hospital website I log on to is looking for 2 years experienced RN. I would appreciate if someone in New York city could help me and other graduates by giving us some information about how to get a New Graduate job in New York City. Thank you all.

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Specializes in Ortho, Psych, Med-Surg, OB/GYN.

Melissa if you wanted to move anywhere.... Oklahoma is perfect for nurses and new grads. Being a new grad is not looked down on here, there are many places advertisting to hire anyone and with sign on bonuses. Oklahoma city and Tulsa are the main places I would look. The cost of living here is INSANELY lower than CA... you can have a beautiful house for the cost of a small apartment out there - and the pay isn't that much lower. In Tulsa I think the average hourly for an RN with little experience - is around $28-32? Nurses live VERY COMFORTABLY here.

Just a suggestion

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Specializes in Pediatric Mental Health.

Hi,

I am a new grad from Massachusetts and I am in the same boat. I have been putting out applications since May. I passed the NCLEX in August and have still not received any replies. The majority of large Boston hospitals presently either have hiring freezes or are not hiring new grads. I have heard that some community hospitals have had to have layoffs due to budget issues and they also are seeking experienced nurses to fill positions since they would not have to pay to train a new grad. Also housing in Massachusetts is very expensive. So I would not recommend Massachusetts as a place for a new grad.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Internship in ICU and PACU.

Thanks for the lead! I will let you know if i hear anything back. I wouldn't mind living in Stockton and doing some wakeboarding on the Delta.

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That really sucks! Is this economy only impacting New Grads? I'm from Orange County California and the nurses I work with (all with at least 1 years of experience as an RN) that have applied for jobs were able to secure them quite quickly and and easily. So I was wondering if this is only a New Grad problem? I just cruised some hospital websites and see that there are still openings for RNs, but I think they are asking for at least 1 years experience.

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Specializes in Internship in ICU and PACU.

It is a new grad problem. Most of the hospitals in my area are on hiring freezes and if they do have a new grad position they have over 100 applicants. Even in places like Paso Robles, Modesto, Fresno.

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hi sc,

as you'll see from my other posts, i'm the exact same boat as you are. graduated may 23rd, took nclex july 8th (passed). i have, to date, applied to 36 jobs. i, unbelievably, was able to land 2 interviews, but that was because i knew people that work in those hospitals.

i applied to 15 jobs in sacramento, davis, merced, modesto, bakersfield, northridge and san bernardino. two days after applying i received rejection emails from all 15. :banghead:

i applied to the va palo alto. for 10 spots, they received over 600 applications (i'm sure you were one too). needless to say, i was not one of the lucky 10. :crying2:

i am depressed, angry, bitter and horrendously terrified. i am scared to death that i will be filing for bankruptcy soon. i am currently working (non-nursing job) and can't make ends meet with it. my fiancé has had to pay rent for me. and, come december, i have to fork out money for student loans that i can't afford.

the problem i have found is that if your out of the area, they want nothing to do with you. they take locals first and with the over saturation of new grads in every part of the country, it's nearly impossible to get a job in your area, much less out it.

i come home and sob myself to sleep. i am damn near suicidal (slight exaggeration). i am beginning to wonder why i ever thought of becoming a nurse in the first place......

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hi sc,

as you'll see from my other posts, i'm the exact same boat as you are. graduated may 23rd, took nclex july 8th (passed). i have, to date, applied to 36 jobs. i, unbelievably, was able to land 2 interviews, but that was because i knew people that work in those hospitals.

i applied to 15 jobs in sacramento, davis, merced, modesto, bakersfield, northridge and san bernardino. two days after applying i received rejection emails from all 15. :banghead:

i applied to the va palo alto. for 10 spots, they received over 600 applications (i'm sure you were one too). needless to say, i was not one of the lucky 10. :crying2:

i am depressed, angry, bitter and horrendously terrified. i am scared to death that i will be filing for bankruptcy soon. i am currently working (non-nursing job) and can't make ends meet with it. my fiancé has had to pay rent for me. and, come december, i have to fork out money for student loans that i can't afford.

the problem i have found is that if your out of the area, they want nothing to do with you. they take locals first and with the over saturation of new grads in every part of the country, it's nearly impossible to get a job in your area, much less out it.

i come home and sob myself to sleep. i am damn near suicidal (slight exaggeration). i am beginning to wonder why i ever thought of becoming a nurse in the first place......

i feel your pain. the only thing that i can tell you is that you can apply for a grievance for your loans. they may be able to give you time before you start paying due to financial hardship.

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