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.
It seems as though the surest way to get into an RN position would be to establish myself as a CNA at a desirable hospital or system and apply as an internal applicant when I'm about to earn my BSN next Spring. If it's that bad for even BSN graduates, I'm not honestly sure what my next move should be. I'm currently waiting for TMU to send my test results to CDPH, so that I can begin applying for positions at hospitals where my friends and professors already work, and where I might already have my foot in the door.
Would anyone else disagree? I'm almost desperate and looking for any suggestions.
There are issues with holding an RN license and being a CNA. You would have the obligation to think at that RN scope. It may be a hurdle.
As others have posted, you probably need to expand your search area and specialty. Hospice? Home Health? Private Duty? Dialysis (outpatient clinic), MD offices, VA..all of those will get your working, get your experience and you can keep applying at all the hospitals you are interested in. As a new grad, unless you secure a new grad program at a hospital, it will be extremely difficult to land in ICU/NICU w/o any experience, same w/ER.
As far as the job market cooling, happening here in the south as well and w/the holiday season coming, its only going to slow down more unfortunately.
There are issues with holding an RN license and being a CNA. You would have the obligation to think at that RN scope. It may be a hurdle.
You mean in terms of getting hired? In apply to ER tech jobs, I've considered redoing my resume so as to leave out my RN education and license, as I am actually finding it more difficult to land interviews than I did when I had three years ago with no experience at all. I don't know if you can hide an entire associate's degree, though, given that it's verifiable through Student Clearinghouse...
That's a pretty terrible and ignorant bias on behalf of HR, if so, because at my job as a tech in the ER at present, I doubt anyone could say my knowledge and experience from getting licensed was anything but an asset. It's definitely not like anyone is clambering to get me out now that I've finished.
As others have posted, you probably need to expand your search area and specialty. Hospice? Home Health? Private Duty? Dialysis (outpatient clinic), MD offices, VA..all of those will get your working, get your experience and you can keep applying at all the hospitals you are interested in. As a new grad, unless you secure a new grad program at a hospital, it will be extremely difficult to land in ICU/NICU w/o any experience, same w/ER.
As far as the job market cooling, happening here in the south as well and w/the holiday season coming, its only going to slow down more unfortunately.
The new grad market here (LA area) has essentially ground to a halt. In both my ADN and BSN cohorts, the only people to have landed actual new grad positions were those who had precepted there first; same with interview invites from hospitals where one did their clinical rotations.
There are no SNFs or outpatient clinics hiring new grads here either, unfortunately—the very few that are hiring RNs are requiring experience.
Part of what makes this such a shock was that even the new grad market here was beginning to soften just very recently. Over 90% of the graduating cohort at my school last year were hired to work as new grads in hospitals right off the bat, a few at the most competitive hospitals.
The new grad market here (LA area) has essentially ground to a halt. In both my ADN and BSN cohorts, the only people to have landed actual new grad positions were those who had precepted there first; same with interview invites from hospitals where one did their clinical rotations.
There are no SNFs or outpatient clinics hiring new grads here either, unfortunately—the very few that are hiring RNs are requiring experience.
Surprised LTC ("nursing homes"), dialysis (large clinics like Davita and Fresenius), home healths and hospices aren't hiring, normally those are slow job market proof.
You mean in terms of getting hired? In apply to ER tech jobs, I've considered redoing my resume so as to leave out my RN education and license, as I am actually finding it more difficult to land interviews than I did when I had three years ago with no experience at all. I don't know if you can hide an entire associate's degree, though, given that it's verifiable through Student Clearinghouse...
That's a pretty terrible and ignorant bias on behalf of HR, if so, because at my job as a tech in the ER at present, I doubt anyone could say my knowledge and experience from getting licensed was anything but an asset. It's definitely not like anyone is clambering to get me out now that I've finished.
I live in the South and education is confirmed based on the employer, if they wish, contacting the school directly. I have never had any of them ask or mention a sutdent clearinghouse.
ER's where I live either require 2 yrs ER experience as a nurse or new grads to attend a new grad preceptorship course that only starts a few times a year. Obviously different requirements in different states.
Part of what makes this such a shock was that even the new grad market here was beginning to soften just very recently. Over 90% of the graduating cohort at my school last year were hired to work as new grads in hospitals right off the bat, a few at the most competitive hospitals.
It seems hospitals was experience but not too much experience so they can save money on salaries. It definitely a tough time for newer nurses now in landing jobs. I have been offered a position to return to a FT hospital setting and am seriously considering it as it would be a lot more money, benefits plus bonus and I would only have to commit for 6 months and get to chose the days I work. My goal is to be out of nursing completely in a year & this offer would allow me that, my current job would not, a second offer is also nice as far s 2 days a week but like the remote position, the pay is extremely low. Seems there are lots of options for some & not so many for others. Healthcare techs seems to do much better at landing jobs for sure.
Surprised LTC ("nursing homes"), dialysis (large clinics like Davita and Fresenius), home healths and hospices aren't hiring, normally those are slow job market proof.
I've sent out applications to all of the DaVitas and Fresnius' (maybe about 20 something in total?) in the vicinity, and nothing. I think the restructuring of Medicaid may be hurting them even more so than in-patient hospitals.
Haven't come across an LTC listing for RN that didn't preclude those without experience, but would love to be proven wrong, hint hint.
SunDazed, BSN, RN
192 Posts
There are issues with holding an RN license and being a CNA. You would have the obligation to think at that RN scope. It may be a hurdle.