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

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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?

I am a new grad and I am having trouble finding a job, esp without any experience. I have found a few non-clinical positions that will hire new grads. My question is, will starting my career in non-clinical positions hurt my career or slow it down since I will not be practicing my hands on/patient care skills?

Specializes in Family Planning, STD, OB/Gyn.
I don't know, I hate to have to talk like this, but if you're going to seriously begin comparing nursing to flipping hamburgers, then why are you even bothering? If you would find those jobs as equally rewarding to you then maybe you're putting yourself through some needless stress :p

Calnurs stated that some of the linked in friends were putting wages low enough ($10-$12 per hour) to the point in order to get a job and that it is similar to any other job with the same pay like Walmart clerk or any sales associate.

But I do not know if Calnurs was comparing nursing in the same context to other jobs. I was not comparing nursing to any other jobs. What I was talking about is that, it's the paycheck that eventually will pay the bills in the end. I, too took any job to earn money while searching for a job. Took a good 6 months to find a seasonal job, and an additional 3 months to land a full time job.

I did not get suck into nursing, I got into it because I wanted to assist the community to prevent the causes or diseases and not treat it. But I know my long term goal is to be on the Medical Reserve Corps. :D

Specializes in Family Planning, STD, OB/Gyn.
I am a new grad and I am having trouble finding a job, esp without any experience. I have found a few non-clinical positions that will hire new grads. My question is, will starting my career in non-clinical positions hurt my career or slow it down since I will not be practicing my hands on/patient care skills?

It will slow it down, but don't fret. Get a job and then start networking from within. I did that with the seasonal job I got in July and started networking and got the full time job through a referral. Also while working for the seasonal job, every paycheck I was getting I would sign up for a certification class such as BLS, NRP, or ACLS. That way you can sell yourself saying that you are always enhancing your skills when you get the chance.

Thanks for the tips. I cant even score temp jobs. Its the lack of experience and being a new grads. Everyone turns the other way when they see that. But I may have opportunities in Case Management or Nurse Reviewer. I was just wondering if that would hurt me in the long run career wise, or if there are several other areas I can take that experience.

Specializes in Family Planning, STD, OB/Gyn.
Thanks for the tips. I cant even score temp jobs. Its the lack of experience and being a new grads. Everyone turns the other way when they see that. But I may have opportunities in Case Management or Nurse Reviewer. I was just wondering if that would hurt me in the long run career wise, or if there are several other areas I can take that experience.

Yeah I know what you mean the only experience I had exiting nursing school was 2 years of clinical rotations and 1 year of prenatal and STIs before I entered nursing school. But after I got the license I started volunteering for hospice--discounts for lunches at the hospital cafeteria (20%) and found the Mollen job on craiglist and started working there and got recommended for the job.

Long run career wise it can hurt it, but as of right now it will slow it down. Try to get certifications while you are working because then you can show proof that you were still increasing certifications and still wanted to learn which those information will be considered experience too so I have heard.

I'm in the process of applying for online classes like basic dysrhythmias, medical terminology, and reteaching myself spanish and my native language again. *sighs* so much to do.

Just out of curiosity, I'm wondering if any new grads om here that can't find work in a hospital have done an externship while they were in school.

Specializes in LTC, Medical, Rehab, Psych.

Hey there, finally got a hospital job after 2 years. First year in home health, second year as per diem/floating position in LTC & SNF. Hired straight into a med unit at a large hospital network. Orientation plus residency classes as needed. Came in with base pay at 2 years experience, so not missing out on pay because I didn't start right out of school. In fact, as a per diem RN in LTC/SNF, was making $34/hr evening shift in Seattle (no benefits). So all in all, I haven't been hurt too much by the 2 year wait.

Don't give up. You've got many, many years yet to work. Even if you're on your second career, like me.

Hello, I have been reading all your posts and it appears that no one has a straight answer to the big question on how an old new graduate nurse can get a job in a hospital. Well, I too am having trouble obtaining such a job;although, my situation is a bit different. I was a LVN for 5 years before I became a RN BSN. I worked mainly for a doctors office straight out of LVN school once receiving my license. I did work for an acute care hospital on a med/surg. floor as a LVN, doing almost all the same nursing tasks as a RN, for about 7 months while I was in RN school but could not handle the schedule due to the exhaustion(full-time work and full-time school) so did home health nursing part-time instead. I graduated in 12/2009, got my RN license soon after and now I am in a Master's program to become a Nurse educator. I tried to get a job at a hospital right after getting my license but did not have luck so went back to office nursing. Currently, I decided I needed clinical experience to teach so I began looking for a hospital job, but no luck. I have applied to almost every position in the Austin, Tx. area and almost every job post states 1 year experience. I understand that the job market may be slow but these positions I am appying to are still open. I have been turned down and the position is still open. Confusing right? I am a BSN RN in school for a Master's and have some experience as a RN in office nursing and home health and LVN experience in an acute care setting and still I cannot get a hospital nursing job. I have tried all the avenues of job obtainment, as many of you all have, with no success. I guess I'll have to settle too, I hope to find something soon. I will try to get some certifications but will be difficult when already in school.

Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Honestly if you have acute experience as an LVN I would try with an agency for some registry work. They'll take you most likely.

It is ironic I've been offer assignment at acute hospitals even though I don't have experience because they need LVN's but won't hire them outright. I obviously turned the assignment down because it's not safe but one of the hospital they offered me registry work for is one that was talked about here on All Nurses where the RN's had a candlelight vigil to phase out the LVN's so now they won't hire them but they still want to staff their floors with them. Honestly methinks the "phasing out of lvns" for that particular facility is just a temporary appeasement.

I'm in Texas, I have not heard of a registry,. Is this like a temp service? I've tried them too and I get the same answer, no experience no job. I've even called the hospital recruiters and was told that because I am a not a new grad and I've had my license for over a year and a half they will not hire me. I was told they don't want to spend the extra time and money to teach someone, but when they pay for the contract and temp nurses they are dishing out the money.

Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Yeah registry is an agency. I would call them again and be specific that you have experience as an LVN. Go in person is better. Structure your resume so it's harder to differentiate which is your RN experience and which is your LVN experience. Once they have you on their books they'll be finding ways to make money off you. But if you call them and are like blah blah I have no experience they'll be like no thanks.

And yes this post makes me sound like I have the grammar of a 12 yo ;)

I graduated May '08. Worked about three years in SNF/LTC. Am looking for a job and no one will hire me. I am so so discouraged. I am 42 and wondering if that's why I can't get hired??? I can't give up, but part of me wants too...tired of feeling rejected.

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