A shortage of nurses huh? Really? Am I the only one having trouble finding a job post-nursing school or what? Yes, I am aware that these things take time but yeash! I've applied to countless jobs all over the inland empire (the area between los Angeles and Palm Springs, California) and nothing! I've been on six interviews since graduation and have yet to receive an offer. I lost count of the amount of rejection letters I've received, but it's a lot. It feels like every day I receive at least three. Oh wait...In fact, I just got another one right now. Yes, we get into nursing to save lives and touch the souls of others, and not for the money, but good grief! I didn't think I would be applying for food stamps and moving back in with my parents! I have my BSN from an amazing nursing school, RN License, BLS, ACLS, PALS cert, and a killer resume, so I am confused on what I'm doing wrong here. So please, if any of you are experiencing a similar struggle please comment. Or if you have experienced the blessing of landing a job immediately after graduation, please post your success story to lift my spirits. Thank you!
That jumped out at me, too. Please leave any such rhetoric off your cover letter. Prospective employers want to see evidence of being level-headed, conscientious and reliable. If you come across as too dewy-eyed, they may doubt your ability to weather the inevitable new-grad storms.
I agree that you have to be willing to start applying where the jobs actually are. Good luck.
Good Gosh!
That's why I'm a nurse...what'sa matter with all of you?
I'm in the exact same boat... I went out of state for school, which has made it worse for me too since they're looking for people who did preceptorships or clinicals at their hospital. I have started to look into other opportunities like a SNF in my area, but there's still nothing that will take less than 1 year experience. I'm considering moving back to the state where I went to school because everyone in my class who applied to those hospitals have gotten jobs right away. I'm honestly only going to give it until these next Residency programs that start in October get back to me.
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
Cali suuucks as a new grad! I got so frustrated after hundreds of rejections that I took the first out of state job I was offered and moved to Arkansas for 7 months! I will say beware of jobs that are willing to hire you practically instantly and ask questions about nurse to patient ratios. I experienced 7 to 1 ratios on days and 9 to 1 on nights and these were SICK patients; patients that would be considered step down patients, not Med-Surg at the hospital I currently work at. I couldn't handle it for a full year so came back to Cali and took the first job I was offered here in an outpatient primary care/urgent care clinic. After a few years there I got a hospital job that I love. Long journey but learned a lot along the way. Are you willing to come to northern California or prefer the area you're currently looking in?
Are you applying to ANY hospital nursing position? Many students seem to lean towards specialties, and I often wonder if the reason it is so hard to get hired is because people are only applying to ICU, ER, L&D, (insert anything other than med/surg í ½í¸‚).
if you have connections or know anyone and willing to move you will land the job you want. I had the same issue when I was a new grad 8yrs ago. Luckily my friend was already hired in Dallas and I only wanted to start in ICU- guess what she got an ICU job in a teaching hospital in dallas and she recommended me- I got an interview altho I felt I did not do well I got hired!
Alright everyone, I have great news... I was just hired as an ICU new-grad RN at a hospital that is only 5 minutes away from me! Things really did turn around quickly for me because I also recieved two other job offers this week! I guess I got a little impatient after graduation because I had this idea that I would get hired immeditaley after nursing school. I did wait a total of 6 months but that doesnt seem long compared to some of the other nurse that responded to this thread (sending good vibes to them). After my original post, I made some major changes to my resume, interview answers, and even my interview atire. I am beyond excited to begin my journey as an ICU nurse. Thanks for all of your encourage words and support, and I am grateful that I didnt have to relocate. For all of you that really concerned about my "touch the souls of others quote".... I was just refering to being emotionally present for my patients....relax lol. Anyways, thank you for all of your encouraging words!
42pines
1 Article; 369 Posts
"to save lives and touch the souls of others..."
Good Gosh!
That's why I'm a nurse...what'sa matter with all of you?