New Grad RN still no job

bcolon · May 27, 2012

Hey annamee. Try to do some voluteer work at an local hospital so you can get your foot in the door. I work at my local hospital right now and I see plenty of new graduates that are nurse assistants move from that position and jump straight to a nursing position when the time comes. Especially if your an nursing assistant/PCT.

Start from the bottom, be it if the hospital has an transporting department, etc. Then once your in, you can talk to all the unit managers and let them know your interested and want to apply for an RN position on their unit.

Don't stress. I know the feeling when you have an degree and your right out of school looking for an position. Just be patient and your opportunity will come up.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · May 27, 2012

on the lighter side, just get a scrubs, walk in any hospital and start working for free...:rotfl: yeah its hard to be funny when you are all frustrated, but sometimes a good laugh is all you need to get motivated...but that first break will come so just hang in there. On a serious note, have you tried just shadowing a nurse, if the area hospital allows it, like the others says you have to get your foot in the door and start networking within your field somehow, even if you can get a volunteer,patient advocacy, visiting nursing homes, PCT or monitor tech position, clerk, just anything to get in the field, take it. Also try staffing/employment agencies that provide short term placement for PRN nurses, some agencies have contracts with hospitals so the hospitals turn to them for temporary staff. For some reason employers always like to hire a person that is already working or doing something. If not, then work on other minor certifications, like phelbotomy, ACLS, EGK, x-ray tech etc. just anything to avoid having huge gaps of nothing to add on your resume and help you stand out.

MattNurse, MSN, RN · May 27, 2012

My nursing manager hires older new grads first before considering the newer bunch. My unit just hired two new grads with May 2011 graduations and their first jobs.

Kind of fair to do it that way, hopefully most hospitals will do this so you are not competing with the May 2012 new graduates.

nyteshade, BSN · May 27, 2012

Hello, i am a new graduate RN i graduated December 2011 and i still dnt have a job ive been geeting rejection letters one after another i dnt no what i am doing wrong i am getting really frustrated on top of that i cant find any more hospitals that hire new grads im feeling very helpless and hopeless any advise would help. thanks!

Apply outside the hospital setting.

Matthew.RN · May 27, 2012

I just graduated May 8th, 2012 (so a couple of weeks ago) from an ADN program. Anyways I live in Eastern, NC and most of my friends were getting interviews at UNC and DUKE and I ended up only getting one interview during our last semester with an ED and ended up being one of the people who were a top canidate but not selected because they only had two slots and they went to internal canidates. I called over a week ago to another hospital I had applied to in March and asked about new grad apps being reviewed and got an interview the next day for the ED at the hospital of my choice and ended up landing the job. So my advice is to just show your interest and call and push for an interview. Times are hard right now and I am so blessed to have not only got a job, but to have landed one in the ED at the Hospital I wanted to work for. I can also say from my interview experience, just be yourself. I never worked as a CNA, I was a pharmacy tech for 6 years. So you don't have to have worked as a CNA first. I was also looking into nursing homes just to get my foot in the door, so I would maybe think about working at a nursing home for a short period until you get some experience under your belt.

buytheshoes11, MSN, RN · May 27, 2012

Have you tried LTC/SNF facilities yet? Also, would it possible for you to commute or relocate? Don't give up! You will find something.

NewGoalRN · May 27, 2012

Yes, I'm hearing this more and more and it's the exact situation I find myself in. i'm brushing up on certifications, taking CEUS and trying to network. I only know of 2 residency programs right now and i've applied for them. It is very challenging to find jobs as new grads especially when most of them go to internal canidates or former PCTs/CNAs.

I've tried agencies and most want 6mths to 1yr experience. Even the nursing homes are saying experienced nurses wanted. I've sent out resumes/applications there and no response. I guess we have to look at more creative ways.

jacksonleo · May 27, 2012

Florida Hospital system in Central Florida hires new grads on a regular basis. They have several hospitals in the area and postings are up so apply!

Sharpen your resume and keep applying. It really is a numbers game since it only takes one to say yes.

Good luck.

NewGoalRN · May 27, 2012

Thank you and that is one of the programs I've applied to so wish me luck. I've spent hours on my resume and submitted it to so many people i know from all professions and asked them to forget that they know me and to be brutal in their critique. As a result of their suggestions, I changed my resume about 40% and I got an offer for a part time position but in an extremely narrow field of nursing but I'm taking it just for the experience, lol.

I'm signing up for ACLS/PALS in the next couple of months and will work on getting back to school for my BSN. Trust me, I'm networking like all get out and swallowing my pride as I contact people. I'm also reconnecting with my teachers, offering to meet with them for their advice and getting as much recommendations as possible.

Thanks for your suggestions. i haven't tried FH in Orlando if that is what you are referring to as I'm in Tampa but I may have to go that route. 45mins to 1hr communte isn't bad for 3 days a week.

dnsonthego · May 27, 2012

Greetings,

It is very tough for new nurses...it is tough for all nurses! The advice given should be taken-volunter, volunter and volunter. Look at nursing homes...they are always looking for volunters. Once you show your interested maybe someone will offer you paid work or a tip on a job opening. Today, budgets are tight with time and money to train and orient staff (especially a new nurse) just is not going to happen. Think about transporting, C.N.A. jobs (especially evening, nights and weekend) and voluntering on the weekend. Good Luck!

NewGoalRN · May 27, 2012

You are assuming that all who are looking for a job don't already have one. I have a full time job in another field and I can't afford to quit to volunteer as bills have to be paid and benefits maintained.

For me, the route that I'm taking is network, network, network, considering all health related jobs to get experience and keeping up by skills and knowledge by continuing to take classes and certifications.

jacksonleo · May 27, 2012

Thanks for your suggestions. i haven't tried FH in Orlando if that is what you are referring to as I'm in Tampa but I may have to go that route. 45mins to 1hr communte isn't bad for 3 days a week.

Yes in Orlando. Orlando Health (ORMC and its other 7 hospitals, one of which is closer to you off of I-4 - Dr. Phillips) is also hiring newbies for all of their hospitals but those guys seem to prefer their own internal people such as Techs but you could always give it a try. They both pay about the same rate for new grads. I know someone who lives in Tampa and drives also and if he is tired, he just stays at friend's house. The point is to get in and get your experience. Good luck.

P.S. Get a nursing manager to critique your resume. I find that the professors have been out of the loop a little too long or did not do much hiring anyway.