So, I have been reading the countless threads on the new grad situation down in Houston, and being a new grad and basically planning to uprooting my life from Masssachusetts to Houston in a little less than 3 months I am truly starting to freak.
I have applied to 96 jobs within the past 10 days, have counted 35 rejections so far (some within 12 hours of applying!), and have not received neither call nor email. Is this really how it is??? I have applied to every internship available and any job requiring a year or less of experience. I have two bachelors degrees (one in Biology, the other being my BSN), and I was in an accelerated Nurse Practitioner program so have half of my masters under my belt. I have over 7 years clinical experience, and am currently working in a hospital as a CNA. I have great letters of recommendation, 3.4 GPA.... WHAT else could I possibly do?!?!
I am in a really tough position; I have to be out of my current apartment by June 1st, and if anyone knows anything about Mass they know the job situation is abou 10x worse than Houston (which is hard to believe). Even my current hospital has told me to my face that I have zero chance at a job.
That being said, does anyone have ANY advice?! I was going to call HR depts incessantly, but it seems as though that's not doing anyone good either. I will only be in Houston April 7-10 too, and I'm beginning to wonder if not being a resident is hurting me. I have my temporary Texas license already though, and my permanent Massachusetts license.
HELP PLEASE ... I just want to see if my constant anxiety and worry is warranted, or if I need to relax a bit. Thanks a ton
I've tried Kindred and Triumph, and have not received any calls. I have tried reaching Kindred many times with no luck.
Since I am not from here, I don't really know where to look for LTAC's or nursing homes ... any others you know about by any chance? I am willing to take anything. I have two interviews today, so I'm hoping something comes of one of these!
Both interviews went really well. I actually REALLY want one more than the other. I am flying down for interview 2 and 3 on the same day for Methodist in 10 days. I'm really hoping I'm in the running seeing as how they know I'm paying hundreds of dollars to fly down for these interviews... but you never know. The other interview told me that I should hear by the last week of April/first week of May. I have another interview in New Hampshire today as a fall back in case things don't work out for me in Houston. I am still calling other hospitals and such to see if I can possibly squeeze in another interview when I go down in 2 weeks ... I was really banking on hearing from Ben Taub. =/
I will also be moving to Houston in May as a newly graduated ADN so that I can live with my fiance. This news is very scary, especially since I will not have a BSN and will have hardly any experience, other than that I obtained in clinicals. I will be pretty desperate for a job by the time I need to move. Do you all think it is hard to find a job in home health even? I've heard there are more openings in that. I'll take whatever I can get. What's my best bet?
I honestly think your best bet would be to apply to new grad programs. The new grad program I got into hired 13 of us, and only 2 or 3 of us had our BSN's. You will more than likely not get hired if you do not apply to a new grad program down here. My other recommendations are to start early, stay very organized, and keep your resume stellar. And once you apply, ensure you follow up with calls to HR and stay on them. Where are you moving from? You can always try to apply to home health positions, but they try to stay away from hiring new grads most of the time due to the lack of experience, and since you won't be in the hospital setting. Please feel free to message me if you would like anymore detailed info =)
Hi MissPamela19, congratulations on your new position. I'm very interested in moving to Houston but afraid to make the move before finding a job. I will be graduating in May with an ADN. Could you tell me some of the hospitals that you applied for and the month they post their new grad positions. I understand if you can't recall all of them. I've applied to many places in my state of NJ and surrounding area with no luck yet. I'm willing to move to anywhere I can find work.
I am going to be in the exact same position as you were this coming January as I graduate mid December 2012. I will be relocating to Houston, Sugar Land to be exact to live with my boyfriend. I know that it is a little ways off but I want to start doing my research now because I want to have the best chance of getting a job. Can you tell me the specific names of some of the new grad programs you applied to and any other hospitals that you may know of that hires new grads would be much appreciated. I am willing to commute because I just want to work. Also if you could tell me how it's been going since the big move. THANK YOU!
Also anyone else who has any advice for me would be greatly appreciated.
I received my new grad internship at St. Catherine's Hospital in Katy. I applied to pretty much everywhere in Houston -- all of the Mem Hermanns, Methodist, St. C's, St. Joseph, St. Lukes, even rehab places too like Triumph and Select Specialty ... and only got two interviews out of about 150 job applications (and I am not exaggerating!). The application process takes on average one to three months, so definitely give yourself ample time to get your resume together, letters of rec, and time to fill out the daunting applications online. The job market is really rough for new grads, so I suggest to take what you can get for the first year. I ended up leaving St. Catherine's due to a lot of different factors and just started at Memorial Hermann in their cardiovascular ICU with only 9 months of ICU experience ... so it pays off to start somewhere! I also know that St. Catherine's is no longer hiring for a new grad program - but definitely take a look at other Christus facilities, although I don't believe there are many others in Houston. One last thing - they ARE hiring ADN's, but its becoming more and more difficult to do so. You really need a Bachelor's in this economy in order to lock in the highest paying and most rewarding positions as a new grad.
I hope this helps ... Best of luck and feel free to message me if you have any other questions =)
If you're looking for a hospital that hires new grads, check into HCA hospitals. I know that Bayshore Medical Center in Pasadena, TX is always hiring & they definitely hire new grads. It probably won't be your dream job but it beats no job at all. Also, St. John's Hospital in Nassau Bay near Clear Lake, TX is new grad friendly. Hope this helps!
MissPamela19
146 Posts
I've tried Kindred and Triumph, and have not received any calls. I have tried reaching Kindred many times with no luck.
Since I am not from here, I don't really know where to look for LTAC's or nursing homes ... any others you know about by any chance? I am willing to take anything. I have two interviews today, so I'm hoping something comes of one of these!