New Grad RN Can’t Find Job

[Stcloudmnnurse]

Hi! I’m a new grad RN with an associate degree. I am having the worst time finding a job and am practically in tears every day that I get one of those “we went with other candidates” emails. I’m starting to lose hope and would like anyone's opinion of how to proceed. I graduated top of my class and have a couple years experience as an LPN. Eight months of that was working in a long term Covid unit. I literally was going through school and working with the high stress of Covid in a nursing home and urgent care but now because I’m a “new” RN I have zero skills to bring to the table according to every nurse hiring manager. 

I’ve filled out every new grad program application in my area. Applied at the current hospital I work at as a urgent care LPN and not even an interview. I’m older new nurse at 40 and feel like I made a mistake. 

I wanted to be a nurse because I love it. I loved every part of clinicals and working with patients. I passed my boards on the 1st try and have recommendations from instructors and current nurse manager.

 Joined some volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross. Signed up to get certified in ACLS, TNCC, ect. I’m starting a BSN program in the fall but I am really doubting myself. Any advise would be great. 

[Red Shirt 6, CNA]

I would suggest doing a rewrite resume and make sure to include the things that would save potential employers money in training, background checks. Maybe consider taking an extra PRN or substitute RN job so you have paid experience and skills as a RN. If there is a specific need for a certain license or certification. Infection control has become very in demand where I am at. 

[ComeTogether, LPN]

Why not work at a snf? You could find a decent one and work rehab. Now a days it’s a mini med-surg. 

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

Have you looked into outpatient clinics? I got hired into mine as a new grad. On the job sites you could look for the term “community health”. I work at a clinic for low income people, called an FQHC. The pay is comparable to a hospital, except that there’s no opportunity for overtime or shift differentials because it’s basically a 9-5 job. Many of the clinics have high turnover and are therefore sort of always hiring. 

[Stcloudmnnurse]

2 hours ago, Straight No Chaser said:

Why not work at a snf? You could find a decent one and work rehab. Now a days it’s a mini med-surg. 

I have worked in nursing homes before and was a CNA  for about 10 years. I did long term acute respiratory unit during Covid. I’m not against it but was really looking at hospitals. I’ve been told too that experience in a SNF doesn’t advance your resume as far as getting into acute care. But maybe…

2 hours ago, CommunityRNBSN said:

Have you looked into outpatient clinics? I got hired into mine as a new grad. On the job sites you could look for the term “community health”. I work at a clinic for low income people, called an FQHC. The pay is comparable to a hospital, except that there’s no opportunity for overtime or shift differentials because it’s basically a 9-5 job. Many of the clinics have high turnover and are therefore sort of always hiring. 

Yes I am open to clinic and would love to work in public health but there isn’t openings. It’s weird not one for clinic within the health system in our area.

[MEDFET, CNA]

I’m shocked we are so understaffed in CA it’s ridiculous you may not be in facility of your first choice or shift ect but no problems securing employment here I’m not saying you should relocate but there are so many offers posted for travel nursing if that’s an option you would travel and work and have the opportunity to visit interesting places worldwide if not just Alaska and Hawaii for start

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

If there's an LTACH in your area, try that. They can equate to hospital

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

7 hours ago, MEDFET said:

I’m shocked we are so understaffed in CA it’s ridiculous you may not be in facility of your first choice or shift ect but no problems securing employment here I’m not saying you should relocate but there are so many offers posted for travel nursing if that’s an option you would travel and work and have the opportunity to visit interesting places worldwide if not just Alaska and Hawaii for start

Travel is not recommended for a new nurse. You have to have the experience to know what's what

[Stcloudmnnurse]

1 hour ago, Hoosier_RN said:

Travel is not recommended for a new nurse. You have to have the experience to know what's what

I would absolutely travel but I agree I would need at least a year in a hospital specialty to feel secure in traveling as a new nurse. But if it comes to it I might have to to get experience. I am in a position to travel so it is tempting.

[MEDFET, CNA]

Let’s just say hypothetically many people are faking it! You graduated know what your doing actually learned the material not just relocate from someplace like Guam and RN um I wouldn’t allow minus having experience stop you from working as traveler! How will you get experience unless your a volunteer interesting I just saw tv advertisement for Afghanistan they need nurse support now like yesterday last September it was like several NDA contracts posted to work on some top secret assignments but force you to sign NDA if that appeals to you if so I know a couple recruiters agencies but it depends on how your flow is what are you looking for 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

On 7/13/2022 at 9:28 AM, Stcloudmnnurse said:

But if it comes to it I might have to to get experience. I am in a position to travel so it is tempting.

Again, would advise against, and many agencies want experience. You'll be expected to hit the ground running with no orientation, except to learn where the breakroom is and supplies, if you're lucky. Take it from experience. Some learned the hard way during covid...

[MEDFET, CNA]

I’m sure if a nurse makes it through school and succeeds she can bypass the extended orientee or preceptorship I’m supposing it comes down to how the RN feels adequate or comfortable if it’s about charting the facility do and don't’s then she can pickup easily the world is huge and nobody is gonna babysit and hold her hand it’s now time for action the RN doesn’t need to kiss up and act like she doesn’t know what she is doing to make inadequate people feel useful 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

4 hours ago, MEDFET said:

I’m sure if a nurse makes it through school and succeeds she can bypass the extended orientee or preceptorship I’m supposing it comes down to how the RN feels adequate or comfortable if it’s about charting the facility do and don't’s then she can pickup easily the world is huge and nobody is gonna babysit and hold her hand it’s now time for action the RN doesn’t need to kiss up and act like she doesn’t know what she is doing to make inadequate people feel useful 

I'm not sure what you're getting at, but most new nurses cannot provide the same level of care as an experienced nurse. Nursing school teaches the basics, NCLEX tests for basic competency. When you start a new job and go through orientation, you're taught what you need to know to perform on that unit. When you travel, you're expected to already know how to function independently, as the unit is usually very short staffed. No one is going to be able to stop continuously to demonstrate individual skills. That scenario puts patient safety at risk. It was a major issue during covid, and was discussed on AN multiple times. It's a good way to jeopardize the license that was just earned