New grad RN BSN need advice !!!!!!

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Heyy! So I also am a new grad and my past jobs at hospitals include CnA and an anesthesia technician at one of the top hospitals in the country located in Boston (which is where I am from FYI). The job market in MA is brutal and I have a great resume, references, etc and still nothing. All postings say "require or prefer 1-3 2-5 etc years experience". But how can I get the experience without the job?! I'm such a hard worker and good nurse it is frustrating I feel like I can't prove that. My first job is at an acute/long term rehab facility. I see that I am one of the few that has my BSN and I am really trying to make the best of this position. I mean 20 pts and if someone calls out no mandating = like 30 pts and unsafe care. On the acute units there are more PRN meds, nursing notes to write, etc. Also I really feel part of a team, I haven't been there long and have already made a hospice pt so much more comfortable.

My concern/question is how long is the MiNIMUM amount of time that I should stay here before going to try getting a job at a hospital ?? My overall goal is to work in critical care, possibly become a medic part time for the experience and excitement, and I work best in high paced emergent environments. I just dont know what to do because I feel like I worked so so so hard to graduate Magna Cum Laude from college with a bachelors degree and I want to start on my "dream pathway". Does anyone have any advice/comments???

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

My advice? Keep applying for your dream job. The market is tough.

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Specializes in Rehab/LTC.

Maybe try moving to North Dakota. I hear they are hiring new grads and know a few people that travel back and forth going "home" to another state every few weeks. They are doing it for a year or two to get that experience for a job where they really want to live and work.

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Specializes in Trauma and Cardiovascular ICU.

As the above mentioned.... if you REALLY want your dream job, you will find it and go to it, no matter where it is.

Speaking from experience as I begin my new job next week that I'm moving for. Don't settle for what you know won't make you happy. I spent a year in an area I didn't enjoy and I'm thankful to finally be where I want to be.

Best of luck to you!

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As the above mentioned.... if you REALLY want your dream job, you will find it and go to it, no matter where it is.

Speaking from experience as I begin my new job next week that I'm moving for. Don't settle for what you know won't make you happy. I spent a year in an area I didn't enjoy and I'm thankful to finally be where I want to be.

Best of luck to you!

See that's what I'm worried about now.. I have a job that I don't like and that isn't the type of experience I want. I am totally willing to move, I just don't know when? I'm still within the 3 month probationary period and I'm dreading waiting an entire year. What do I do?!??

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Specializes in Rehab/LTC.

Apply. Apply. Apply. If you get an offer ANYWHERE and are able and willing to move, GO! If you don't, keep the job you don't love just to get the experience and the recommendations (you need to excel and even pretend you LOVE it!)

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Specializes in Trauma and Cardiovascular ICU.
See that's what I'm worried about now.. I have a job that I don't like and that isn't the type of experience I want. I am totally willing to move, I just don't know when? I'm still within the 3 month probationary period and I'm dreading waiting an entire year. What do I do?!??

I would say keep applying as a new grad for where you want to be and not mention about what you are doing now. If you get the job just make sure you don't just abandon the one you have without the proper notice. Id say if you are still looking by your 6th month mark then start applying not as a new grad but as someone with experience and then I'd say its ok to mention about where you work now, but I wouldn't say "I took this job because I couldn't end up where I wanted" but mention more about how you wanted to give that area a try and thought you might like it, but just learned that you do not enjoy it and its not where your passion is, etc etc.

I started as a new grad in Sept 2011 and I will be starting my new ICU job next week, so at just about 10 months, so making it the full year isn't a hard requirement. Just don't give up going after what you want, and if it means you have to wait until you are there, as unenjoyable as it may be, you will survive! :)

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Specializes in Pedi.

I am from Boston too and I have to agree with the others that your best bet would be to look elsewhere. The jobs just aren't here in Boston. I'll use my old floor as an example... in the past year, 12 nurses have left. They currently have 3 out on leave (1 maternity leave, 1 pregnant/on bedrest and 1 medical LOA) and another 4 pregnant who will be out on leave in the next few months. In this same year, they have hired FIVE nurses (well, technically 6 but one was fired during orientation so she doesn't really count). So they are now working down 7 nurses if they don't have anyone out... but they have 3 out and another 4 expected to go out shortly. Only one will be back before the other 4 go out. So they'll be working down, what, 13 nurses? Which basically means that they haven't replaced anyone who's left. And even before we all left, we were understaffed due to not replacing staff that left when the same thing happened 2-3 years ago. Several of the pregnant ones will be looking for new jobs after their leaves- I know this because they've told me as much. The floor has NO positions posted now. The entire hospital has ONE staff nurse position posted and it's for an outpatient clinic. Staffing ratios completely changed in the five years I was there and I am quite certain that they won't take unsafe staffing seriously until a patient dies because of it.

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I would say keep applying as a new grad for where you want to be and not mention about what you are doing now. If you get the job just make sure you don't just abandon the one you have without the proper notice. Id say if you are still looking by your 6th month mark then start applying not as a new grad but as someone with experience and then I'd say its ok to mention about where you work now, but I wouldn't say "I took this job because I couldn't end up where I wanted" but mention more about how you wanted to give that area a try and thought you might like it, but just learned that you do not enjoy it and its not where your passion is, etc etc.

I started as a new grad in Sept 2011 and I will be starting my new ICU job next week, so at just about 10 months, so making it the full year isn't a hard requirement. Just don't give up going after what you want, and if it means you have to wait until you are there, as unenjoyable as it may be, you will survive! :)

Where did you get a job in the ICU?? I mean which state?? Yea I mean a friend of mine graduated in 2009 and got a job right out of school, In a large hospital in MA in the ICU. I really am willing to move -- almost want to at this point. I have also considered the air force or navy .. Has anyone had / heard anything about nursing in these areas?? Thanks for all your ideas guys :).

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Specializes in Trauma and Cardiovascular ICU.
Where did you get a job in the ICU?? I mean which state?? Yea I mean a friend of mine graduated in 2009 and got a job right out of school, In a large hospital in MA in the ICU. I really am willing to move -- almost want to at this point. I have also considered the air force or navy .. Has anyone had / heard anything about nursing in these areas?? Thanks for all your ideas guys :).

Myrtle Beach, SC. I had several friends and people I knew from school that got right in to the ICU, including some people that probably shouldn't have, but thats the way it goes sometimes.

But yeah, totally find somewhere in another state if you are willing to move and just hit it hard until you find your dream job!

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Specializes in Neuro-Trauma ICU.

I just graduated in April and went straight into a Neuro ICU position. Granted I was an employee of the health system already as a nurse tech and did an Externship as well as was scholarshipped by the hospital, BUT...I have friends that have walked into an ICU positions directly out of school. You may need to try areas of the country that are not necessarily "desirable" places to live. Not saying where I live is terrible (Tulsa, OK) but the pay is a little lower here, but so is the cost of living. The health system I work for is all about hiring new grads into ICU and ED spots. They look at it as a way to groom new nurses properly and to not have to overcome bad habits. Hope you get your dream job! I know I got mine. Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU.

Move where the jobs are and keep pursuing your dream! Much of Virginia has a steady market. I know many people who have accepted new jobs in southern VA and some near DC/MD/Arlington area.

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