New grad RN can't find employment

U.S.A. Florida

Published

Hi everyone, I am an extremely frustrated new grad RN! :angrybird9: I graduated back in Dec 2013 and passed the boards April 2014. I have been job hunting ever since and nothing yet. I have applied to hundreds of ads including hospitals, home health agencies, long-term care facilities and haven't even been called for 1 interview.

Everyone wants at least 2-3 years of nursing experience but how can a new grad get experience when no one will give us a chance. I have called HR many times and have even dropped by and they all just kinda brush me off and tell me the same thing "if we are interested we will call you." Many will flat out tell me "sorry, we don't hire new grads". I am so disappointed with the way the job market is treating us. Where is the support for new grads?

I have also tried applying to two different new grad programs but unfortunately never received a call back. These new grad programs are very competitive and are only available a couple of times a year here in Florida, plus only a few hospitals participate. Is anyone having the same issue and what advice if any do you have for new grads looking for employment?

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Cast your net over a wider area. I recall an individual some time ago who submitted hundreds of applications over several years only to finally get a job in a different area. If you have to move, you have to move.

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Specializes in Cath/EP lab, CCU, Cardiac stepdown.

I am also wondering where all the jobs are for the new grad rns

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Same here I am another December 2013 grad. I currently work for home health. I only got this job because I knew the DON. Network. I live in Florida too and after couple more months I think I'm going to just move before the end of the year. What part of Fl are you in? I am in South Florida

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

North Dakota and other rural areas have nursing shortages right now and are hiring new grads. That's about it- California, Florida and the like are where the horror stories are.

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Cast your net over a wider area. I recall an individual some time ago who submitted hundreds of applications over several years only to finally get a job in a different area. If you have to move, you have to move.

I see what you are saying. I really wish I could but moving is not an option for me. Me and my fiance just purchased our home about 2 yrs ago and his job is here in Florida. He is really well established there and has been there for years.
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Same here I am another December 2013 grad. I currently work for home health. I only got this job because I knew the DON. Network. I live in Florida too and after couple more months I think I'm going to just move before the end of the year. What part of Fl are you in? I am in South Florida
I live in South Florida as well. Yeah, seems like the only ones getting jobs are the ones who have connections.
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Look into HCA hospitals theyre hiring new grads under their StaRN program. Along with florida hospital

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Look into HCA hospitals theyre hiring new grads under their StaRN program. Along with florida hospital

Thanks, I will definitely look into that.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

I don't think that out hospitals here in south mississippi have as much problem with hiring new grads, although I think most would prefer experience. I found a job in med surg in about 6 weeks. I think this is mainly because I was very aggressive and got up each day like I was going to work. I made my job finding a job. I would bring a handful of carefully edited resumes with me and physically hand them to the nurse managers. I would say something like "hi I'm Larry and I submitted an application online, but I just wanted to hand you a copy of my résumé and show my face in person. I had a job a few weeks after I started doing that. I think the right manager will see you as motivated and will want you on their team. Just make sure your résumé is customized for that hospital, professionally done, and in a nice folder. It should have all your contact information on it. Also make sure you are professionally dressed when you come in. Good luck

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...odd I got a call back from 2 Florida hospitals and my resume isn't that great plus I'm not from there. Consider VA (btw a recruiter told me the more detailed you're resume the better!) and consider driving a little extra. I know some nurses that apply for a job pretty far away since it may only be three 12's a week. Also try a cover letter. If you're resume isn't that great than you need to paint a picture of who you are. Be persistent too. Call every couple of days to check your application status, that way it keeps your name floating in the hr's person's mind!

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I'm a new grad as well. Graduated in December, Nclex in January..and it took me until May to be hired. I started mid June at HCA..South bay hospital. I applied for their staRN program but they decided they wanted to hire me right onto a med surg unit. The best advice is to change your resume maybe..since that 1 hasn't gotten chosen. Definitely include a cover letter (I had 0 call backs until I made one) and just keep trying.

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