I'm a recent BSN graduate, dual-licensed in both California and New York, currently based in Manhattan. I've been actively searching for my first RN job since receiving my NY license in April, and I'm feeling increasingly discouraged.
I've applied to over 50 positions, including several new grad programs, without landing a single interview. My primary interest and passion lie in Maternal-Newborn and NICU, but I've since broadened my search to include Emergency, Critical Care, and Med-Surg roles, still with no luck.
In addition to job applications, I've:
- Started attending networking events
- Reached out to recruiters on LinkedIn
- Sent direct follow-up emails
Despite all this effort, I haven't had a single callback.
If anyone has advice, guidance, or connections in the NYC area, especially in Manhattan hospitals, I'd be incredibly grateful. At this point, I'd love help with breaking into the field, securing an interview, or even just hearing what worked for you as a new grad in a similar position.
Try Maxim Healthcare (known as Amergis) they have a program specifically designed for novice nurses called the Novice Nurse Program. This program is geared towards newly graduated RNs, LPNs, and LVNs with less than one year of experience.
I know you're looking for hospital positions but this could help to start.
I know this probably isn't what you want to hear (or do), but you might consider LTC. Working with Medicare skilled residents can give you experience in IVs, wound care, documentation, assessments, and med passes. You can potentially pick up skills that transfer easily to med surg, and any experience is good experience on a resume.
With your resume and cover letters make sure to include things that will save an employer money for example additional certifications and License's, government clearance, up to date TB test.
I am having the same problem in DFW area. I am a new graduate who has applied to ALL the residencies in the area. I have 4 years prior CNA experience and had good grades in nursing school. I also believe I perform well in interviews as I'm very personable. Applied for over 10 residencies, got two interviews back. No word after that. Im very discouraged but looking into clinics and out patient centers now. I am also going to get more certifications to make my resume more attractive and save the hospital money.
You are not alone! Its rough out here for new graduates.
I neglected to say some hospitals take months to hire. I applied to several hospitals after RN nursing school. I got hired by a travel agency, which I wouldn't recommend if you have no experience, I had been an LVN for over 20 years. As soon as I started working they started calling me to come and work at hospitals some months after I applied. I had already committed to the place where I was working so I turned them down.
I work in NYC. If you're already in NYC/ if you haven't done these:
1. Follow recruiters in all NY area health systems on LinkedIn. There aren't that many. They announce new grads hirings and vacancies periodically. Apply and follow up with them directly.
2. Go to open houses - Sinai, Cornell and city hospitals all have these events. City hospitals are great training ground and now pay over 100K with great benefits. I've never worked in one but all my colleagues who did are rock stars.
3. Find nurse managers on LinkedIn and send your CV.
4. Keep moving while you are searching. Volunteer, take an IV class, shadow, part-time, etc.
NY has enough nursing grads, both traditional and accelerated and with regulated patient nurse ratio and reasonable pay, competition is stiff but you can do it with persistence! Also, 3 months isn't a long time. I had classmates who took 6 months and it was 2 years ago.
Best of luck hustling and getting where you want to be!
I retired as an RN with over 30 years of experience. I remember when I graduated, I also wanted to work in a hospital. That is where all nurses wanted to work. But when I graduated, the hospitals wanted 1 year of experience. So I got my experience working at a nursing home, mostly on the critical care side. It paid well, paid my living expenses and gave me valuable experience. don't limit yourselves to just trying to work in a hospital. Most home healthcare companies, clinics, and nursing homes will hire new grads right away. Do that and gain experience and wages till you can find a hospital job. That is how it worked for me. don't shorten yourself. Then when you have the experience, you can fill out an application and get hired quickly.
During the last few months of nursing school, I volunteered every Sunday afternoon in the Emergency Department of the largest safety net hospital in the region. They have 80 ED rooms and appreciated every bit of basic, non nursing help I was able to offer. It turned out that this hospital had a policy that after 100 hours volunteering, I was considered already in-house when I applied for, and got my first job there.
During the last few months of nursing school, I volunteered every Sunday afternoon in the Emergency Department of the largest safety net hospital in the region.
When I was taking science prerequsites at Wayne State a woman who was my lab partner, I guess she was premed, said it was difficult if not impossible to get volunteer work, I think because it looked good on school applications.
Specializes in ICU/ER/Med-Surg/Case Management/Manageme.
BouldeRN said:
During the last few months of nursing school, I volunteered every Sunday afternoon in the Emergency Department of the largest safety net hospital in the region. They have 80 ED rooms and appreciated every bit of basic, non nursing help I was able to offer. It turned out that this hospital had a policy that after 100 hours volunteering, I was considered already in-house when I applied for, and got my first job there.
I did something similar way back in the day...ER volunteer. It was a definite plus when I applied to an internship.
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MissSind
1 Post
Hello there!
Try Maxim Healthcare (known as Amergis) they have a program specifically designed for novice nurses called the Novice Nurse Program. This program is geared towards newly graduated RNs, LPNs, and LVNs with less than one year of experience.
I know you're looking for hospital positions but this could help to start.
Good luck!