New Grad RN: How do I get a job when everyone wants someone with experience?

[BabyRN23]

I've been applying for a job and everyone wants someone with 1-2 yrs experience at least? How and what should I put on my resume to make it look desirable and can get hired although I'm a new grad with no experience?

[LaceyRN12]

I suggest volunteering to add some fluff to your resume. Also, get your nursing school classmates who have a job to give their manager your resume and refer you.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

If you don't have any real experience, I would suggest getting some additional training/certifications in areas that are meaningful & valuable to employers - like EKG, phlebotomy, ACLS, etc.

There are two important reasons for not exaggerating your "experience" 1) it will come back to bite your soft parts, especially if it appears you are trying to fool the recruiter or hiring manager. 2) Your orientation will be designed to fill in the 'gaps' between your current state (newbie) and the desired state (able to care for patients safely without a lot of assistance). You don't want to miss out on any training opportunities because of something you put on your resume.