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.

Specializes in School Nurse.

Camp Nursing is an option, we usually take on one graduate per summer for this same issue. Also gives you 'nursing experience'. If you are interested PM me. You will get a lot of assessment and medication experience.

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Thank you cheezwizz90, RN! You just answered my question!

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Specializes in Rehabilitation Nursing.

I moved to Atlanta in May 2015 from Washington. I am a Certified Rehab RN with 3.5 years of experience. I'm currently jobless. I can't find employment. I interviewed for night positions at all major hospitals here, only to have the manager say after the interview, pointing to a massive stack of applications, "I'll get back to you after I interview the rest." No luck.

There is no nursing shortage. Not here, not in WA.

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New grads forget they are not only up against other new grads, they are also up against stale new grads who are doing everything they can to stand out. Like obtaining TNCC, ACLS, PALS, BLS, EKG, NIH Stroke Scale, IV, NRP, STABLE, EFM, Lactation Consultant, and volunteering, career coach, Networking, awesome LinkedIn Profile, and paying for Post Grad Internships. All to get our foot in the door! The struggle is REAL!

I know this is an older thread but it speaks to me.. I got my nursing degree and at graduating was offered a great promotion with my current job which I took (having nothing to do with nursing). Three and a half years later I keep kicking myself with regret that I didn't follow my passion. Now I'm just trying to figure out how I can get my foot in the door as a "new grad" having been out of school going on 4 years!!! Even refresher courses want to know your past "experience". I'm worried I shot myself in the foot and may never be able to land a job in healthcare now. I'm thinking I may have to give up on a clinical type of nursing and hope I can land something more admin based and maybe sidestep my way in.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I know this is an older thread but it speaks to me.. I got my nursing degree and at graduating was offered a great promotion with my current job which I took (having nothing to do with nursing). Three and a half years later I keep kicking myself with regret that I didn't follow my passion. Now I'm just trying to figure out how I can get my foot in the door as a "new grad" having been out of school going on 4 years!!! Even refresher courses want to know your past "experience". I'm worried I shot myself in the foot and may never be able to land a job in healthcare now. I'm thinking I may have to give up on a clinical type of nursing and hope I can land something more admin based and maybe sidestep my way in.

Wow, I swear I just saw another thread started by someone with your exact same story.

Or, could that be you?

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Did you find anything yet I know my hospital is hiring at this time Atlanta medical center. Not the absolute best but you will get tons of experience there.

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Specializes in Obstetrics.

OMG NO. I wouldn't recommend CFVH to anyone. I lived there, worked there as a CNA and it is a horrific place to work. Had lots of friends who were RN's and wouldn't do it again. Unless you want to be a trauma nurse. For a midsize military town they get alot of trauma,Not sure why.

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Specializes in Obstetrics.

Unless your ADN or BSN program is specifically written with the Board of Ed here in Florida to include an LPN "out", you are no longer allowed to sit for the LPN exam. It hasn't been an option for about 7 years or so here.

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I'm in the same boat as well. I feel you. I'm starting to think relocating is a necessity.

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I do agree about working as a CNA might help, but economy has been difficult. Last six years of my life I worked on a medical- surgical unit at large community Hospital as a CNA come to find out that it is a gamble to get a job as a new RN in a Hospital that you currently work. My Hospital invested large amount of money in a new software, as a result no new grad program this year.

After many years of dedicated work I am looking for a job else were.

In fact working in a Hospital might bite you, on one interview I was openly told that nursing manager is tired of teaching new RNs for a year and then they leave to my Hospital.

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Did you end up going to AK?

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This poster is exactly right. The nurses in my class who had CNA/LPN jobs were mostly hired at their facilities as RNs upon graduation. Those of us without that experience had to hustle a lot harder to find work.

I would have loved to have had experience, but due to family responsibilities, it was impossible for me to do full time nursing school and work as well. I know I am not the only person in that situation.

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