New Grad RN-->No Jobs, Then what?

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Specializes in School RN, Ambulatory, Public Health.

I have been reading through these threads and haven't seen an answer to this question. I know that it is tough to get a new grad RN position and some say they are still looking after a year post graduation. So what happens to those who get no experience and in effect are now "old grads with no experience" when the job market begins to open up again? What do those in the know recommend for those who may not be able to get a job within a year or two of graduation? Do you get more certifications, i.e. ACLS, PALS, etc while waiting for the market to open? Do you volunteer in a hospital? If volunteering, do hospitals allow clinical practice as a licensed RN volunteer? (Of course, there may be union issues with that). Essentially, will a licensed RN with no experience become obsolete since many will graduate and be "newer" when the job market opens again?

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I am in the same boat...

I would like similar answers out there!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I would like to know too...

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Pedi/Tele.

I'm not in this boat yet but I would suggest maybe continuing your education if you can. It won't hurt to get more degree's and until them try picking up home health care or LTC positions?

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I graduated in July of 2008 and passed my boards April of 2009. While waiting for interviews, I got certified in BLS, ACLS and PALS. Believe me, it helps on your resume . The person who interviewed me was really impressed that I took the time and money to invest in these certificates. :wink2: If you still can't find a RN job, maybe you can work as a CNA until the job market picks up.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Yeah if I don't get a job soon I will be getting ACLS and NRP (if I can find that one offered somewhere in MI) I finally had my first RN interview (I had one for an intern position over the phone...so I don't count that ha) I don't think I got this one...then I also had a surprise phone interview. I will find out by tomorrow if I am in the top canidates pool to get a live interview. So hopefully one of them or a different one will hire me. I hate interviews though because I hate the questions that are asked...they are so random sometimes :)

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I'm with you, I HATE INTERVIEWS! When I got my current job, the 1st person I spoke to was HR. I figure I aced the interview and the next thing I new, he said you will be speaking to another person =O So I nervously went to another room and spoke to a lady who I didn't know who she was. We had a very good conversation and wanted to hire me on the spot. The lady I spoke to was the D.O.N. YIKES! You be ok, I'm sure someone will hire you.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I graduated in July of 2008 and passed my boards April of 2009. While waiting for interviews, I got certified in BLS, ACLS and PALS. Believe me, it helps on your resume . The person who interviewed me was really impressed that I took the time and money to invest in these certificates. :wink2: If you still can't find a RN job, maybe you can work as a CNA until the job market picks up.

I asked my local hospitals about that--and found out that a lot of places won't hire an RN as a CNA because they know that once a nursing position opens up, the RN will be out of there. They don't want to spend the time/resources training her as CNA when they know she's going to be leaving. Mind you, the OP can still try doing that--maybe her local hospital will take her on as a CNA or aide...just don't be surprised if they say no.

I've done the same thing as unreallly: got BLS, ACLS and getting PALS shortly. Until then, I'm searching for other RN jobs, volunteering at a local free clinic as an RN (hospitals won't let you volunteer and do RN stuff, but free clinics will grab you if you offer your services), and I'm going to get a non-nursing volunteer position at one of the hospitals that I really want to work in to try to make some connections and cheer up a few patients' days.

Hopefully all this will pay off for me too...I'm just worried that I'm also going to end up in the "Stale New Grad" category when the RN positions in the hospitals finally do open back up :uhoh21:

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I've done the same thing as unreallly: got BLS, ACLS and getting PALS shortly. Until then, I'm searching for other RN jobs, volunteering at a local free clinic as an RN (hospitals won't let you volunteer and do RN stuff, but free clinics will grab you if you offer your services), and I'm going to get a non-nursing volunteer position at one of the hospitals that I really want to work in to try to make some connections and cheer up a few patients' days.

What do you do at a free clinic for volunteering? How often do you go?

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Sign up for a preceptorship. You probably wont get paid but you will keep your skills up. Chico state in California has one. You can also try to arrange one with your nursing school.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
What do you do at a free clinic for volunteering? How often do you go?

Right now I'm training to do patient teaching and referrals. It's not as hands-on with the patients as I was hoping, but it's an area they really needed someone in so I took it...and from the looks of it, I'm going to become an expert on many different drugs pretty fast :) And patient teaching is one of my strongest suits.

I just started, so right now I go in weekly. But I figure in a month or so if I have no luck on the job front I'll add another day or two or three to gain different experiences. They do have nursing duties there that involve more assessment and use more skills...it's no hospital-level experience, but I figure any experience is better than no experience.

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Specializes in LTC.

Okay, so what are people doing for an income? I'd like to start taking classes for an RN bridge program but I want to keep my schedule open to work any shift should the opportunity arise. This is so frustrating.

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