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.

Many parts of the country have a plethora of nurses and are hiring a majority of BSN grads only Many new grads recently have been getting hired and getting that one year and leaving to the "real job" Nurse practitioner or CRNA where the real money is making facilities hesitant to hire new grads.

The market in't good.

As you can see......Georgia[TABLE=width: 100%]

[TR]

[TH=align: left]City and Area[/TH]

[TH=align: right]Median Salary[/TH]

[TH=align: right]Employees[/TH]

[TH=align: right]Job Density[/TH]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Albany[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$55,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,290[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+14%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Athens[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$60,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,880[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+43%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Atlanta[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$64,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]33,790[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-29%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Augusta[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$65,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]5,070[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+24%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Brunswick[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$53,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]710[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-1%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Columbus[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$61,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2,630[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+24%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Dalton[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$55,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]710[/TD]

[TD=align: right]-43%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Gainesville[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$64,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,500[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+17%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Macon[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$58,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]2,810[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+64%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Rome[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$59,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]1,270[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+110%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Savannah[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$62,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]3,520[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+21%[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Valdosta[/TD]

[TD=align: right]$53,000[/TD]

[TD=align: right]980[/TD]

[TD=align: right]+10%[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Has a plethora of nurses. Job search data....Nurses Schools, Salaries, and Job Data

i applied and was offered a new grad job at northside... omg the pay was horrible. 23 bucks and hr! I was floored how low that was!

I'm soon glad i got my job in cali!

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I'm a new grad in the metro Atlanta area, also graduated in December. I got an excellent job in a hospital quickly because I took advantage of who I knew - use any and every contact you have to try to get an interview. I also noticed that I got more calls after I wrote cover letters that were specific to each position I applied for, and when I cut my resume down to make it simple, clean, and easy to read- no paragraphs or unnecessary information. Some of my classmates have found work in surrounding rural hospitals, like Tanner and North Georgia Medical Center. I applied to at least 20 jobs a day- I think honestly that my name was just "on top" when a position opened up, and then my contacts, references, and interview pulled me through the rest of the way. Don't give up!

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Specializes in Critical Care/Vascular Access.

I don't think it's a lack of positions needing to be filled, but like every industry (in my opinion) a large part of it is about who you know and how you present yourself. My old floor that I used to work on was almost entirely staffed by referrals. I even got a person or two hired on myself. So when a position opened, our manager didn't typically just go look at all the applications that had been filled out on line, she asked if anyone knew someone looking for a job whom they would recommend. As long as the recommendation was from a good employee, it helps in the screening process because you can probably trust a good employee's opinion if they recommend someone.

My point being that you need to get your foot in the door somehow. Do you know any nurses or people working in places where nurses might be needed? Maybe classmates that have since found jobs who could maybe refer you and vouch for you being a promising nurse?

Otherwise, I've known a couple of people who got hired because they literally walked in looking for a job. That way the manager had seen them face to face, and assuming they made a good impression, they're application would go straight to the top of the pile. Internet applications can be useful, but personal interactions will always beat out some cold information on a computer screen or a faceless voice on the other end of a telephone.

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I was a CNA after I graduated they said they didnt have a spot for me. It took 6 months before I finally got a full time job. I had 3 PRN jobs during that 6 months and I literally piece milled a paycheck together.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

I applied online and then went to the floor where the nurse managers were (dressed professionally) and introduced myself. I then gave them a paper copy of my résumé. I had a job shortly after doing that.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, dementia, hospice.

Congratulations on passing the boards!

Are you looking beyond hospitals? If not, consider long-term care (LTC); i.e., long-term subacute care, as opposed to long-term acute care (LTAC). LTC residential facilities (rehabs and nursing homes) are generally always short staffed and are usually open to hiring new grads.

Good luck!

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I applied online and then went to the floor where the nurse managers were (dressed professionally) and introduced myself. I then gave them a paper copy of my résumé. I had a job shortly after doing that.

This is a GREAT idea! I did this once and I landed my very first job (as a Barista at Starbucks!). I'm definitely going to do this after graduation when I start job hunting!

I know that its tough out there and my mother is mid-50s and is seeing her co-workers being forced into retirement. And yet she and I remain optimistic about our future in nursing. My mom is a hard worker and super pleasant and likable so I'm praying that it will be enough to get me a job! OP, keep your head up and treat applying for jobs as a job! I know a new grad who graduated in MD and it took her a year to find a job...but guess what she did eventually find a job!

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I'm going to Alaska! No joke.

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Specializes in ER.

Apply, apply, and network. I think networking is vital. I also worked previously as a paramedic and based much of my experience on that. Even as a unit clerk, I learned what to expect because I put in physician orders. DIB? Consider drawing blood cultures along with a blue top. Make sure it's an 18 in the AC or at least a 20 in the AC incase the d-dimer comes back. More people should make an effort to get a job pre nursing school.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I had a job as a CNA for a year and a half, specifically FOR getting hired as an RN. When I graduated.. at the top of my class.. BSN.. nclex on the first time.. I still couldn't get a job, because they were on a "hiring freeze". Unfortunately/fortunately I had family that was moving to Austin, TX. I moved with them and within 9 days got hired at a nursing home (something I swore I wouldn't do). It was AWFUL, I eneded up leaving there (Stressful) and got hired at a hospital in TEMPLE TX. It was an hour away but it was definitely worth the drive. It was a great experience and I'm glad a moved (that other hospital didn't deserve me anyway)

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Specializes in Telemetry.
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.

I am a traveler and there are literally thousands of jobs open. There IS a shortage for nurses, just experienced ones. Don't be discouraged though. I applied to hundreds of hospitals and other jobs too. It took me 4 months to finally a job as an RN in a hospital even with my BSN.

dont give up!!

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I'm going to Alaska! No joke.

lol, I thought about moving to Alaska after graduating but the cost of living is wayyyyyyy to high for me and I have almost 6 figures worth of student loans to pay back! So my costs have to be as low as humanly possible!

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