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

Published

Hi everyone,

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.

Thank you so much in advance 🤍

I completely understand how you feel — the job market for new grads in NYC is really tough right now. I've been in a similar situation, and what helped me was applying to hospitals in nearby areas (like Brooklyn, Queens, or even New Jersey) while continuing to network. Sometimes getting that first year of experience outside Manhattan can open doors later on. Keep following up with recruiters and don't lose hope — the right opportunity will come!

+ Join the Discussion