New Grad RN CAN'T FIND WORK!! What should I do?

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Hello,

I graduated with my BSN in May of 2010 and passed my boards in September. I have applied to OVER 30 positions without being picky at all. I've applied to hospitals up to an hour away from where I live, all departments, all shifts, part-time etc... I looked into nursing homes and prison positions as well and there just aren't any opportunities out there. Anything I apply for requires experience as you all know, what an awful catch-22!!

While I wait patiently and keep on applying do you have any recommendations as to what I should be occupying myself with? I need some sort of income because my loans are going to start billing me. What should I do? I'm contemplating applying for holiday temp retail work because i just CANNOT find anything health related... but is this something I should do? Will it effect how future hospitals reviewing my apps will view me?

HELP! I need something to do while I wait for an RN job to hopefully turn up. Thoughts? Ideas? Opinions? HELP!

Are you people who are filling out 100 and 200 applications a) filling them out completely and accurately; b) updating them as you get your degree, etc.; c) actually getting or even applying for licenses in the states in which you are applying? I didn't get one call outside my state until I updated my applications with my degree and RN license and applied in the state I was targeting.

I only applied within the state I was licensed in, but yeah, I was fully completing the applications, updating them where allowed or resubmitting my application with updates, AND following up with Human Resources. That got me two interviews for jobs I wasn't offered. What got me a job was networking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Hi guys!

Like so many new grads out there I am floundering in the search for a new job, graduated in December, have had a few interviews but have fund in the final round they are cutting me because I did not complete my senior practicum in that area...

I have my BSN, graduated Magna Cum Laude, Sigma Theta Tau, blah blah blah like all the other outstanding new grads and am PRAYING for a spot in a residency program - I did the final interview yesterday and they are still going to make a significant cut but I have my fingers crossed.

Anyway, does anyone know what the pay typically is for a residency program? I have been looking around on here and other than "terrible" and "awful" I haven't found much. To be quite honest though, terrible and awful are better than nothing to me right now, I have picked up a retail job in the mean time to make ends meet and I am sure it is going more than 11 bucks an hour - I hope.

Thanks guys, wish me luck and good luck to all the other new grads out there!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi guys!

Like so many new grads out there I am floundering in the search for a new job, graduated in December, have had a few interviews but have fund in the final round they are cutting me because I did not complete my senior practicum in that area...

I have my BSN, graduated Magna Cum Laude, Sigma Theta Tau, blah blah blah like all the other outstanding new grads and am PRAYING for a spot in a residency program - I did the final interview yesterday and they are still going to make a significant cut but I have my fingers crossed.

Anyway, does anyone know what the pay typically is for a residency program? I have been looking around on here and other than "terrible" and "awful" I haven't found much. To be quite honest though, terrible and awful are better than nothing to me right now, I have picked up a retail job in the mean time to make ends meet and I am sure it is going more than 11 bucks an hour - I hope.

Thanks guys, wish me luck and good luck to all the other new grads out there!

I don't think there's a "typical" residency pay other than what that hospital pays new grads which is based on the local market.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

hmm ok, is it generally lower for a residency than it is for just a general new grad new hire or is it about the same?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
hmm ok, is it generally lower for a residency than it is for just a general new grad new hire or is it about the same?

New grad pay at for-profit hospital in Nashville: $20 + 2.50 night/4.50 weekend

Residency pay at Vanderbilt in Nashville: $19 + 3.00 night/6.00 weekend

That's all I know about, really

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wonder where BSN tend to find work and where do ASN find work

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Here is a possible solution for new grads..tell me if I'm wrong. We figured out that an RN cannot work as a CNA for experience because of the liability issue. But, what if I apply for a CNA job after I graduate but before I take the NCLEX so I'm not officially a licensed RN. I have read that nursing students can get jobs as CNA during school after fundamentals class. I don't want to work during school but I am planning on doing this after I graduate. What do you all think? Would this work? Do I have to take the NCLEX after graduation within a certain time frame?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Here is a possible solution for new grads..tell me if I'm wrong. We figured out that an RN cannot work as a CNA for experience because of the liability issue. But, what if I apply for a CNA job after I graduate but before I take the NCLEX so I'm not officially a licensed RN. I have read that nursing students can get jobs as CNA during school after fundamentals class. I don't want to work during school but I am planning on doing this after I graduate. What do you all think? Would this work? Do I have to take the NCLEX after graduation within a certain time frame?

You could get a job as a CNA after graduation to help you have income but it won't count as RN experience. Also, it is unlikely any reputable hospital will hire you as a CNA after you graduate because they know you are planning to stay only a few months. So, not really a good plan.

I don't know the rules regarding time frame from graduation to NCLX (you could contact them regarding that issue) but I caution you not to wait any longer than necessary as you will begin to forget material and your chances of doing well on the exam go down the longer you wait.

Where are you located? For most places, the best plan is to know all possible RN jobs and just keep applying until you get one.

By the way, this seems to be good advice for experienced RNs also. I applied three times to the Visiting Nurse Service for a Per Diem job (a place I once worked full-time for 1.5 years) and it took them 1.5 years to finally call me back. They just don't have many openings for the number of people applying, so we need to keep trying.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool-Med-Surg, Telemetry, IMCU.

Might I also add that being a nursing assistant at a hospital does not ensure an RN job and may not even help your chances very much? *sigh* :crying2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just an unsolicited tip:

I've read through many of the posts on this thread and one thing rings through VERY clear: frustration.

When on an interview, be careful not to let that frustration show. There are enough whiners/complainers/bad attitudes on the floor already and there's no nursing manager alive who wants another gloomy complainer on their staff.

You must be EXCITED and HAPPY about any opportunity and show smiles and eagerness. You are a hard worker, EAGER to learn more and serve. Answer questions with the thoughts of teamwork, not entitlement....and you will increase your chances of turning that interview into an offer.

Remember, if you've been invited to an interview, they are already CONSIDERING you....its up to you to SELL yourself.

Best of luck to the new grads!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

good advice.. Thats what I did I think and I got a job!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where do you live because I'm hopefully going to pass my boards in a month and want really badly to find a job again. It's really stressfull because there's no RN jobs and everyone just bypasses your resume. But I have some suggestions. I have found out that I applied to over 100 places. And I only got one interview. I believe that HR officials are not looking at everyone's resume. SO, what I did was I called Human Resource and told them i applied a while ago I just wantted to know if you had a chance to view it. THen they look at it and they called me back the next day doing a phone interview then we scheduled a actual interview later in the phone conversation. but i ended not getting the job ;(. I apparentely cancelled my interview because it was like terrible weather and they said i wouldjust call out sick anytime.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment