New grad RN in NJ ....please help!

nurseinnyc&nj, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Apr 30, 2013

I am also a new grad RN in NJ since march not being able to find the first nursing job this is so frustrating and discouraging....

nurseinnyc&nj, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Apr 30, 2013

I really want to get a job in a hospital setting.....so I haven't really applied to any nursing homes or long term care facilities....maybe we will have more lucks applying to those organizations being new grads with no experience. I wonder if every hospital sends out rejection emails or something like that even if I am not qualified because most of them, I haven't gotten any response at all.....

RNSallie · May 1, 2013

Im in the same situation. I really want to be in a hospital and will not try a nursing home till it is an absolute last resort. The hospitals I have applied to some email me back in 24 hours that I am not qualified and some take a week. I am so frustrated though. I feel very unwanted

Clovery · May 1, 2013

I don't think any hospital in NJ is taking new grads... At least not in South Jersey where I am. I know how you feel. I applied to every hospital position and nursing home position that was open and didn't have "experience required" listed since the beginning of February. Finally I got my PA license and I got a job in Philly. Some of my classmates have had luck in nursing homes, so definitely expand your search. Most nursing homes have sub-acute or rehab units and this experience should "count" towards future hospital employment.

nurseinnyc&nj, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · May 1, 2013

Thank you @Clovery!!! :) I will definitely start applying for nursing homes....but I do know some new grads who were hired as new grads by big major hospitals in NJ recently.....like robert wood johnson, valley, st.joseph and hackensack....so i feel like it is possible at some point....i will try to be patient and keep trying.... :shy:

Clovery · May 1, 2013

I don't know about north jersey... I'm not willing to commute that far! Here the only new grads getting hired are ones that already work for the hospitals. Keep trying and don't take it personally... Money is short everywhere and it's a big expense to train a new grad.

nurse2b2013 · Sep 4, 2013

Tell me about it! I graduated in May, got my license in July and still haven't found anything. I have been searching in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care organizations all with no luck. Unfortunately, many of the hospitals don't want new grads., and the nursing homes seem to want LPN's instead of RN's for staff nurse positions. Not sure what the difference is in pay scale, but I am sure it has something to do with that. Most of the jobs I have come across for RNs in nursing homes have been management positions requiring 3 or more years of nursing experience and a BSN. It's a tough market out there and it is very discouraging to have spent all that time, effort, money and tears throughout nursing school only to find that no one wants you. It's really difficult to take when there is nothing you can do to change your situation other than continuing to apply and praying that someone takes mercy on you.

blackdiamond407 · Sep 25, 2013

Helen, do you happen to know if these applicants applied before or after they received their licence? I ask because I will be a new grad in Novemeber. I was planning on applying to these hospitals as they are in my area and I was wondering if I should wait until I get my license or not...

nurseinnyc&nj, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Sep 25, 2013

Helen do you happen to know if these applicants applied before or after they received their licence? I ask because I will be a new grad in Novemeber. I was planning on applying to these hospitals as they are in my area and I was wondering if I should wait until I get my license or not...[/quote']
I started applying right after i took nclex, got the "good pop up" and quick result knowing that i know i passed nclex and pending license number.
When i applied without number, i simply put "license pending with NJ BON. Nclex passed on 03/07/2013" on my resume, cover letter and online job applications. So they know i am waiting for my number And im ready to work asap i get my number. I dont know how others are doing but this is what i did. Also some applications do require license number and some dont. So start looking into those apps to see if you can start applying. Good luck!
Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

blackdiamond407 · Sep 25, 2013

O.K. Thank you so much! Have you found anything yet? Or are you still looking?

lmccrn62, MSN, RN · Sep 26, 2013

Jobs for new grads is very difficult. Many hospitals are hiring their own staff that have become nurses. Also us older nurses are not retiring like planned. So I feel for you all and you will get a job be persistent and patient.