New Grad RN | Struggling to Land First Interview in Manhattan, NYC

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · Jul 25

The NYC nursing market is incredibly over-saturated at the moment, with multiple healthcare systems either in the midst of lay-offs or hiring freezes.

You might have better luck expanding your pool outside of the NYC area and into North NJ or Long Island.

Emergent, RN · Jul 26

I think the nursing job market is in a low point as far as hiring. It goes in cycles. The bottom fell out of the job market when I was in nursing school. I ended up starting out in long-term care. I eventually transitioned to acute care when the nursing shortage revved up again.

What with Medicaid cuts and the economy simmering down, this isn't surprising. Have faith, patience, and realize that you are not going to get your dream job right out the gate. But things will definitely turn around.

SunDazed, BSN, RN · Jul 30

Same thing was happening in 2009, after the housing market crashed forced a lot of nurses that were close to retirement to go from part time to full time or delay retirement.

New grad jobs in places that were desirable places to live and/or work evaporated. Many had to take jobs outside of hospitals to stay in the place. Or to get hospital level jobs had to go to places that were in the middle of nowheres. It took about 2 years for everyone to get to where they wanted to be to work and live.

I think it would be better to work somewhere, getting any kind of experience than to not work and wait for the 'ideal job' in the 'ideal place'. Of course you get paid to work too, which is an incentive.

You could try a big hospital system in California like Kaiser if you are not having luck in NYC. I have heard that the hospitals in San Diego are seeing financial changes with CEOs etc. taking pay cuts. That would be Sharp's and Scripp's, so I wouldn't bother with those.

Good luck!

heytherern · Jul 30

SunDazed said:

Same thing was happening in 2009, after the housing market crashed forced a lot of nurses that were close to retirement to go from part time to full time or delay retirement.

New grad jobs in places that were desirable places to live and/or work evaporated. Many had to take jobs outside of hospitals to stay in the place. Or to get hospital level jobs had to go to places that were in the middle of nowheres. It took about 2 years for everyone to get to where they wanted to be to work and live.

I think it would be better to work somewhere, getting any kind of experience than to not work and wait for the 'ideal job' in the 'ideal place'. Of course you get paid to work too, which is an incentive.

You could try a big hospital system in California like Kaiser if you are not having luck in NYC. I have heard that the hospitals in San Diego are seeing financial changes with CEOs etc. taking pay cuts. That would be Sharp's and Scripp's, so I wouldn't bother with those.

Good luck!

California is likely even TIGHTER than NYC. There are like 10 jobs for every 300 applicants. I'd honestly try a couple hours out from NYC to areas that are less populated/ less popular. My local hospital in LA just have mass layoffs that included nurses primarily. I'd say wait for CA until this thing turns around because its impossible here. Im considering Texas now and Im hearing things are tight there too in most of the major cities.

DallasRN · Jul 30

I'm astounded to read these comments. I work as a PDN (private duty nurse) for a company I wish I had found a few years back. Great management/supervisors, very decent pay for the work. I'm in the home 8 hours/day and stay busy about 90% of that time. My company is always scrambling for PDN's. I realize this isn't an ideal job for new grads or nurses without much experience to hone their skills, but really, it's a relatively calm environment allowing for "processing" time...something you don't always have in the hospital.

Also, a new trend in this area (not familiar with other areas of the country) is for hospitals to send patients home early but they are still considered "hospital" patients. Some of the visit nurses are seeing pt 2-3 times daily for IV meds, IV re-starts, wound care, labs, etc. My company is providing staffing for many of these cases and again, they are on a hiring blitz trying to find qualified nurses.

Anyone familiar with this new trend I'm seeing in the Dallas-Ft. Worth areas?

Edit: As a couple of others commented, take a job, any job. Nursing home, clinic, etc. Whatever you might be offered. You get experience to add to resume, practice skills, and it's easier to get a job when you've got a job. 😊

mclifford, BSN · Jul 30

As a nurse manager who hires- make make sure your resume is up to date- I know in school they tell you to put in all your rotations, I am not interersted in that- I will ask you about that in an interview- tailor the resume to what you are applying for and when you are interviewed make sure you say what it is about the organization that interested you- for my organization it is our diverse popultions we serve.I I work in a competitive market, sorry not in NYC or Cal. As someone else said broaden your market. One page resume that stands out- since we are in a digital world use font and size, bold and italics. Be careful when the questioned about future ambition is asked- be specifc but vague about your timeline, I am looking for some long term employees-9 (2-3 years to work on your nursing fondation) who are not looking to advance immediately. I am going to invest in you sell yourself , be confident in your interview, hae questions, don't ask about the benefits- If a video interview no distractions- no cats or dogs- and be dressed business causal for what I will see of you. I want to see a confident professional who wants the job, in positive, who is engaging and in engaged in pt care. I have hired many new grads for L/D , PP and nursery positions. Best of Luck

SunDazed, BSN, RN · Jul 30

I am wondering how much different it would be if healthcare wasn't completely profits driven!

floydnightingale · Jul 30

Things have apparently changed. I was in a 4 semester CD2 program Class of 2K, after the first semester someone from the city medical center (5 or more hospitals and God only knows how many clinics) showed up and offered to pay evertbody's tuition for the remaining year in exchange for a two year contract.

I interviewed for a position at the emergency hospital. My future manager had a heavy accent and I didn't understand much of what she was saying but when she said I'd need to take a physical and get a locker assignment I figured I was hired.

Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN · Jul 30

Personal contacts cannot be overrated. A personal contact who knows about a vacancy in a facility or floor can get you seen sooner ... maybe. But seriously— avoid the crowds of eager new grads who fall for the lure of the big cities and look somewhere other than NY and CA.

Gooday · Jul 30

I teach nursing students, and most of the time, they walk right into their new position. Usually, if they have difficulty, they have a bad work history and or perform poorly in the interview, or they keep applying for jobs that ask for experience. Let a seasoned nurse interview and hear your response, and review your resume. Also, interview at nursing homes and clinics. In some areas, hospital jobs are full, and they are looking for some experience. When you search on Indeed and other job sites, search for new grads. Some places want to hire only new grads so they can train them.

jennile.07, BSN, RN · Jul 30

Don't be discouraged! There are hospitals still hiring new grads.

For your resume, make sure that you tailor it to each hospital and try to have some of the keywords on the job listing.

Get your BLS/ACLS and PALS if needed to make you more marketable. Best of luck to you!

Check out this job:https://jobs.sutterhealth.org/us/en/job/R-106885/Staff-Nurse-I-New-Grad-Labor-Delivery