New grad RN can't find a job, HELP!

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Hi! Let me tell you a little about me: I am a new grad RN that graduated in Aug. and I will be taking NCLEX-RN on Oct 6. I have worked as a CNA and LPN in home health care with pediatrics and geriatric patients, I am fluent in Spanish.

I have applied for over 12 positions at different hospitals since I have graduated. I have only received one interview and that was on Sept 5. The two times that I called the HR lady about the job she said the director has still not made a decision. Oh, and I did write a thank you note to the director that interviewed me and the HR lady.

I am starting to get very worried. I would have thought that with my past experience and being bilingual especially here in AZ I would have a job by now.

What happened to the nursing shortage that I had been hearing about. I never thought it would be this hard to get a job.:cry:

Any suggestions?

Thank You!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

There isn't a new grad shortage... only an experienced nurse shortage it seems. What part of AZ? Maybe after you have passed the NCLEX things will look up. Good luck!

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I finally recieved a call! I'm so happy. I will begin working in October after I take my NCLEX exam.

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There definitely isn't a new grad shortage and as new grads you will find that out. The key to getting a job as a new grad is to start applying well before you graduate!! If you wait until after you've graduated, all the new grad jobs will be gone! A couple of my classmates waited to begin applying after they graduated, one of them still has not been hired (I graduated last December). It's tricky, most hospitals only hire new grads under a 'new grad' opening, all the other openings require experience. If you're not proactive in seeking one of those jobs, you'll miss out.

Congratulations on getting your job! The first year is rough, but so worth it!!

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Hi. I hear ya! I graduated in August 08, had started applying to jobs a little before then. i got a call, offered a position, everything was great. the only thing i had to do was pass my boards. so, oct 7-took board and passed. wonderful, now i have a job have passed boards. so, i start the orientation process on a monday, then going to have orientation all next week, get my sign on bonus, spend my sign on bonus, get a call that weekend saying" i don't know how to say this..... but i understand if you're going to have to look for another job........ we don't have enough people to orient all the new grads we'd hired.............. i'm really sorry....... we just got ahead of ourselves...or something....... i'm really sorry...... WHAT IN THE WORLD? i couldn't comprehend it. but yes, it's like i was hired and let go in the same week because of their unforseen circumstances. now i'm looking for a job, looing for a job and having no luck. i'm starting to think an associates degree isn't enough. anyone have any suggestions? From: an ohio new grad that can't find a job!:cry:

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.
get my sign on bonus, spend my sign on bonus, get a call that weekend saying" i don't know how to say this..... but i understand if you're going to have to look for another job........ we don't have enough people to orient all the new grads we'd hired.............. i'm really sorry....... we just got ahead of ourselves...or something....... i'm really sorry...... WHAT IN THE WORLD?

Geez, what hospital did THAT to you? That's ridiculous.

Hey, put your resume on Monster.com. Do not include your phone number, only your email address. I did that and was swamped with responses. I had to take my resume down after only 1 day.

Also, cruise the websites of hospitals you are interested in. Read the qualifications for any jobs that interest you. Many of these jobs will take new grads. Best of luck!

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Specializes in CNA.

Does this thread scare the crap out of anyone else?? I can't imagining getting through nursing school and not being able to find a job.

All I can say is I hope you find one soon and the best of luck on your test!!

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Yes it scares the crap out of me too! There are not a lot of jobs for us soon to be nurses just the experienced? But I hope we all find our dream jobs when our time comes.

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Wow, what an eye opener! Did you get to keep your sign-on bonus??? I wonder if it will be the same for LPN's getting out of school and looking for work? Question.....is a new grad RN only able to work in a hospital?

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Specializes in ICU.

I finished in aug 08, no job yet, no interviews yet, absolutely nothing. All the hospitals do is denie me or tell me to reapply when i have 6-12 months experience. About ready to move on to the nursing homes so I wont be considered a new grad anymore and can finally start working. Never thought it would be so hard to find a job out of school. All I know is the schools are over saturating the market with new grads to where no one can find a job anymore is what it seems like.

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Wow! I haven't even got into nursing school and am already scared about finding a job. I do know that there are a few hospitals that take on new grads though so I will definetely be applying to those when the time comes!

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I finished in aug 08, no job yet, no interviews yet, absolutely nothing. All the hospitals do is denie me or tell me to reapply when i have 6-12 months experience. About ready to move on to the nursing homes so I wont be considered a new grad anymore and can finally start working. Never thought it would be so hard to find a job out of school. All I know is the schools are over saturating the market with new grads to where no one can find a job anymore is what it seems like.

That's my question...can you get a job right out of school, at a LTC facility or care home?

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