New Grad RN is a 4-Letter Word

Published

Is there ANYONE in the state of MA who will hire a new grad? It's so disheartening to look at hundreds of RN job postings each day and see the comment, "this job not available to new grads." I spend every day scouring the internet, including web sites for hospitals, LTCs, Rehab centers, etc. only to be disappointed because there is nothing out there for a new grad like me w/ no experience. I REALLY want to go into LTC, but at this point I am starting to think I'll have to take whatever I can get, IF I can get something. I almost wish I were still in school so I would at least be practicing some kind of nursing!

I know I'm not alone, and the current economy has a lot to do with the situation, but I just wanted to whine a bit!

Has anyone had any luck getting a job right out of school? If so, where and how?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm an LPN currently working in LTC and approaching my one year mark in nursing. My facility recently hired 2 BSN new grads, and before orientation was up (2 weeks later), they were both gone. One grad quit because she was unhappy with the nurse: patient ratio, and the other grad was let go (for reasons I still don't understand). Now my facility isn't hiring any new grads--LPN's, or RN's.

I wish you the best of luck as you continue on your search for employment. I hope that you will find something soon.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you applying in person to the LTC? Nursing homes for the most part are not online. Are you willing to work per diem?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm an LPN currently working in LTC and approaching my one year mark in nursing. My facility recently hired 2 BSN new grads, and before orientation was up (2 weeks later), they were both gone. One grad quit because she was unhappy with the nurse: patient ratio, and the other grad was let go (for reasons I still don't understand). Now my facility isn't hiring any new grads--LPN's, or RN's.

I wish you the best of luck as you continue on your search for employment. I hope that you will find something soon.

Thanks Selene006 for the well wishes. I hope I will find something soon too! I can't believe someone would quit that soon after being hired, especially with the job market the way it is!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Are you applying in person to the LTC? Nursing homes for the most part are not online. Are you willing to work per diem?

I have been applying online. A lot of nursing homes/skilled nursing facilities in my area are part of larger corporations with facilities across the country, and you can only apply online.

I am willing to work ANYTHING! Day, night, full-time, part-time, per diem..... I just want to be a NURSE!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I live in MA, western MA so I am not sure if that makes a difference but there are plenty of jobs for per diem positions around here for new grads, especially in LTC. Have the positions you are applying for specifically said no new grads? We had a speaker come to our school and help with resumes and gave us a lot of good ways to highlight our clinical experiences as job experience.

I agree with the previous poster, you should call and visit some of the places you are interested in, some places want to see and here from applicants since they are getting so many applications and can't interview everyone sometimes it is just easier to do interviews and hire that way -

I have been applying online. A lot of nursing homes/skilled nursing facilities in my area are part of larger corporations with facilities across the country, and you can only apply online.

I am willing to work ANYTHING! Day, night, full-time, part-time, per diem..... I just want to be a NURSE!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
:crying2: These sorts of posts just scare the life out of me! I am waiting to start an accelerated BSN program early next year and I am now having some real doubts as to whether or not this is the best move. I really do not want to deplete my savings to undergo a demanding academic program only to find that I cannot land a job after finishing! :confused:
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med surgical.

To SallyRN:

Where are you located? You have to go in and apply in person

from my experienec. especially nursing home from my clinical

facility. i stand better chance that way.

snoopy_nurse

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I recently left a nursing position, having over 10 years experience and have had a difficult time finding a new position in Massachusetts. Many ads specifically state that they want experienced nurses only, therefore at this time it is difficult for new grad nurses as well in Massachusetts. Also, many facilities will accept applications on-line only- even if you show up in the HR office- you will be directed to a PC to fill out an application- so even showing up in person doesn't mean a face-to-face interview. I have no words of wisdom- even to experienced nurses in Massachusetts- only to network with nurses in other states- it seems that there are more nursing opportunities outside of Massachusetts. I may have to change careers myself- out of necessity. or move!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
:crying2: These sorts of posts just scare the life out of me! I am waiting to start an accelerated BSN program early next year and I am now having some real doubts as to whether or not this is the best move. I really do not want to deplete my savings to undergo a demanding academic program only to find that I cannot land a job after finishing! :confused:

Hopefully by the time you finish school things will have turned around - you never know. If you have the time and the finances to earn a degree now, do it NOW! I was 40 when I started college, and I just graduated w/ an Associate's in May. I plan on continuing my education through a RN to BSN online program, and eventually I hope to earn a Master's degree (before I'm ready to retire - LOL!).

I'm happy to say that "New Grad" is now a 5-Letter word, "HIRED!" I got a full-time job as a telephone triage nurse. It's not your traditional bedside nursing job, but that's just fine by me. I won't have to deal with all of the physical demands of bedside nursing and I'll have a fairly normal Mon-Fri/9-5 type schedule - even better!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I graduated last year (2008) with BSN. Through out my nursing degree, I remember the Professors telling us of the nursing shortage and the high demand for baccalaureate nurses. This was not the case with me...no one demanded me... After making thousands of applications to hospitals and Rehabs in MA with no success. I ended up taking a job in a nursing home otherwise I was going to be jobless. Here I am working in a nursing home, not growing in skills and experience and as the days go by I beginning to understand that this nursing home experience actually works against me. On a daily basis, I browse numerous web pages, craigslist, newspapers and magazine and make numerous applications. The reply I get is either "YOU QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT MATCH WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR... OR , YOU MUST HAVE ONE YEAR MEDSURG EXPERIENCE IN A HOSPITAL SETTING.." My question is, where are these hospitals in MA willing to give me an opportunity so I can grow in my nursing career? I feel stuck, frustrated, disappointed....I am seeing my nursing dream go down the drain...Sometime I ask my self,..were not all the nurses one time new graduates with no experience and someone gave them a chance? Who will give me a chance? Where is my chance, my opportunity? I feel like i am dying a slow death....and its painful!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hopefully by the time you finish school things will have turned around - you never know. If you have the time and the finances to earn a degree now, do it NOW! I was 40 when I started college, and I just graduated w/ an Associate's in May. I plan on continuing my education through a RN to BSN online program, and eventually I hope to earn a Master's degree (before I'm ready to retire - LOL!).

I'm happy to say that "New Grad" is now a 5-Letter word, "HIRED!" I got a full-time job as a telephone triage nurse. It's not your traditional bedside nursing job, but that's just fine by me. I won't have to deal with all of the physical demands of bedside nursing and I'll have a fairly normal Mon-Fri/9-5 type schedule - even better!

HI May I ask where it is you do the telephone triage nursing? I would love to get something similar and if it is a national company maybe they have offices here. (Maryland) Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion