New Grad RN can't find a job

Nurses Job Hunt

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I graduated in December 2014. I passed my boards a couple of weeks later in mid January. Since then, I have applied to over 200 jobs. I have sent follow up emails, made phone calls, the whole 9 yards. Yet, still nothing. I am in the metro Atlanta area and have increased my search to many surrounding cities. I have searched for nurse residency programs and new grad RN positions. I still can't find anything. What else can I do? I'm frustrated that they always say "nurses are always in high demand" but no one wants to give the new grads a shot.

The demand for nurses really isn't what you think it is. . . . and unfortunately it is only going to get worse with higher case loads, longer hours, and less pay. Many of the experienced nurses are not retiring and that leaves fewer openings for the rest.

I was lucky to find employment before I graduated 3 years ago, but it was not the coveted "acute care hospital". The ones in my area will really only hire BSNs and being an ADN that leaves me high and dry even with several certifications under my belt now. And no, I am not considering a BSN since I need another bachelors like a hole in the head (I'm still paying off this last round of schooling). I am lucky to be agency now and work the gambit from assisted living to PACU. My weekly dance card is fairly full because I will work anywhere at anytime. I still will work holidays and alternate weekends.

Don't hold the hospitals in such regard, there are plenty of specialties out there to try. Continue your education with certifications like ACLS, study basic wound care classes, get IV certified . . . . anything that distinguishes you from the crowd. Be flexible with your schedule and stress that if/when you get and interview that you are open to any available shifts. The prized shifts/schedules come with the paying of dues. I spent a long time on nights until an agency would take me and I paid for a lot of my certifications out of my own pocket to prove I was willing to learn.

Don't give up and just keep trying. Call your classmates see if they have an in to a facility. It may not be what you think you want, but you find yourself enjoying another type of nursing.

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Magical place is the Pacific Northwest, coastal rural areas.....

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How about the U.S. armed forces? I don't know how much hiring they are doing, but financially being a military nurse is way, way better than being unemployed.

One thing all new grads need to consider is what happens to your employment opportunities if you go too long without working as a nurse. Being a fresh graduate is like fresh produce - not very desirable if left on the shelf too long. You might consider volunteering as a nurse if you can. Good volunteer nursing positions are also hard to find.

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Try the hospital in Cortez, Colorado. The job postings may say want 1-2 years experience, but apply anyway. We have openings for RN's in ICU, Med/Surg, OB. Even if you don't meet the qualifications...apply, we need nurses and admin is highly considering taking on new grads. You might not get the sign on bonus as a new grad, but maybe you would? Its a nice area, in southwest Colorado, close to skiing, dry climate. Pretty low to moderate cost of living, depending on where you're coming from. I've been here a year and I love it.

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Specializes in Surgical.
I graduated in December 2014. I passed my boards a couple of weeks later in mid January. Since then, I have applied to over 200 jobs. I have sent follow up emails, made phone calls, the whole 9 yards. Yet, still nothing. I am in the metro Atlanta area and have increased my search to many surrounding cities. I have searched for nurse residency programs and new grad RN positions. I still can't find anything. What else can I do? I'm frustrated that they always say "nurses are always in high demand" but no one wants to give the new grads a shot.

Check out HireNurses.com

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
How about the U.S. armed forces? I don't know how much hiring they are doing, but financially being a military nurse is way, way better than being unemployed.
The US military is not doing much hiring these days since they've been inundated with masses of applications from nurses, new and experienced alike.
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Specializes in geriatrics.

It wouldn't hurt to have someone review your resume and cover letters, which should be tailored for each position you apply to. You could post it (remove your name) in the career section here on AN for feedback.

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I'm in the same situation has the poster. Graduated several months ago and still without a job. I've applied to many places and only got one interview, which I didn't get. It is really hard out there for new grads unless you know someone who will refer you. Even my friends who graduated from entry level MSN programs are having the same amount of trouble as ADNs. Zero experience makes everything equal. It's really tough for me not to have a job because my friends are starting to think im sitting at home doing nothing even though I spend hours searching for jobs and revising my coverletters/writing application essays. And I have a part time job. On top of that, some hospitals require you have all these certifications which total hundreds of dollars just to qualify for the new grad job, this is especially true if you apply to specialty nursing. The job market is definitely making me frustrated.

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Specializes in CVICU, CCRN.

Move to Ohio.

I think the vast majority of my classmates are employed as RNs. I graduated in May 2014, passed my boards end of July 2014, and my first day of orientation was in the end of October 2014. I had two job offers. If you have experience, they will welcome you with open arms. There is definitely a shortage up here.

Moral of the story: I suppose the job situation can largely be related to your geographic location.

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Specializes in PACU, ICU.

Ditto. I worked as a tech in a PACU at Johns Hopkins and am doing my senior practicum in an ICU. I already have 2 interviews lined up in surgical ICU's at Hopkins in the next 2 weeks. Having a good work history and connections in a hospital make all the difference. That and having a BSN.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.

I graduated in December 2012. No new grad position. Applying for multiple jobs and no success. In the end I had to move cities and started out doing temp nursing, which was how I got my permanent job in district nursing at the end of march

Helpful hints

- Be prepared to love

- Elder care is a good place to start getting experience as an RN

I graduated in December 2014. I passed my boards a couple of weeks later in mid January. Since then, I have applied to over 200 jobs. I have sent follow up emails, made phone calls, the whole 9 yards. Yet, still nothing. I am in the metro Atlanta area and have increased my search to many surrounding cities. I have searched for nurse residency programs and new grad RN positions. I still can't find anything. What else can I do? I'm frustrated that they always say "nurses are always in high demand" but no one wants to give the new grads a shot.
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Specializes in Cath/EP lab, CCU, Cardiac stepdown.

What's worse than a new grad with no experience? Someone who graduated a whole ago and still no experience. People who can relocate should. You move for a year or two and you get the experience you need. North Dakota is always welcome to new grads. I got 3 job offers in acute inpatient units from one hospital alone. Look up Sanford health in fargo, nd. Or look at st. Alexius in bismarck nd

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