New Grad

LauRN · Sep 1, 2010

i'm in the same boat. one thing to consider is looking into flu clinics. it will keep you up on your IM skills & give you an income for a few months. they usually employ from sept-dec. just something to consider.

klone, MSN, RN · Sep 1, 2010

I'm sorry you're having a hard time. That's a common theme with new grads everywhere. Good luck to you, LTC is not the end of the world.

nyteshade, BSN · Sep 1, 2010

I've said it once, and I'll say it again, LTC is not always the horror that instructors paint it to be. The reason many LTCs are not so great, is because if the management, staff, or both suck, care will suffer.

LTC will teach you time management, prioritizing, and not to sweat the small stuff. When you go from 18-30 residents to about 6 med-surg patients you won't be pulling your hair out.

DCtraumarn · Sep 1, 2010

New Grads-

Go to the Federal Jobs website - USA JOBS. There are nursing positions available (I just looked San Diego New Grad) in your area with the VA, Dept of Navy and at Camp Pendleton. These are all civilian jobs and with your BSN degrees - you can get hired without previous experience in some positions. The pay is decent and federal benefits are great.

Dont despair. There are federal jobs in just about every city. I think you all could obtain one, get good experience and make a decent living. Be warned though - the application process is labor intensive and please FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS EXACTLY AS WRITTEN.

Good Luck!

pednursedeb · Sep 1, 2010

LTC will give you experience. I think it's tough everywhere now. I know they talk about healthcare being the field to be in, but I think that's going through a slump now too. I've been a nurse for 25 yrs and have seen the ups and downs. It will turn around. Take what you can for now and then keep applying where you want to work.

Someone will quit or retire or go on leave and then you will slide in.

Good luck.

jorjaRN · Sep 1, 2010

I feel your pain...it took me months to find a job after graduating in May 2009, and I had to relocate even then. There are many, many threads already started on this site with a lot of great information and tips. I suggest doing a search and using them as a resource. Good luck!

jasonswife · Sep 1, 2010

hi,,im from san antonio, texas
i recently graduated may 2010 received my license aug 2010
i am having no luck finding a job and i need one bad....it sucks not being able to find a job..i really dont want to work in ltc but im kinda leaning toward that as a last resort..i dnt know wat else to do...everyone wants experience and i dont have any...but how am i supposed to if no one will give me a chance.

My husband and I have recently done a search about this same topic. Try reading the following thread:

https://allnurses.com/first-year-after/any-hospital-hiring-421018.html

Good luck to you.

Pinkster · Sep 1, 2010

keep looking ,try every opportunity. LTC can give you experience if that is all that is available, then you can always keep looking while you are there, but you will have some kind of experience. here in central Fl, jobs are scarce I graduated in May 2010 and finally just started my job yesterday, not in my choice place, but hey I am thankful, and I like it.

Good luck!

Ruger · Sep 1, 2010

You are right, no one is hiring new grads in a hospital which I feel is due the economy. Hell, I've had experience in cardiac care/telemetry, home care and psych X 5 years and the hospitals have not accepted my applications. I am a community college grad and most want a bach. Take what you can get if you can deal with it because I believe it is only going to get worse. You may be surprised...I'm working in corrections now and I love it. I think things will get better if your ultimate goal is to be acute. LTC will give you skills, no doubt about it. Nurses are adaptable so you can learn anything in the future once things change.

MsSocalRN · Sep 1, 2010

I live in California and grad in June passed NCLEX in July have yet to land a job. I get the same thing not enough experience, or you only have ADN not BSN which I plan to get but I went from LVN to ADN and I will get BSN but I can't afford it right now. So I wrote a nurse recruiter and asked her what can I do to make myself more marketable while I am looking for a job and she said to volunteer, try to get a preceptor, some how get some extra clinical time since my LVN experience was only out patient clinic I do not have acute care experience. So thats what I am going to do, I am going to volunteer, I am going to get my ACLS, PALS, and every other certification I can get, even take a class or two if I can at the community college. Hopefully I will find a job by the beginning of the year.

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Sep 1, 2010

The problem is simply that the new grads aren't where the jobs are. I see plenty of ads accepting new grads into specialty areas even. Do you want to trade San Antonio for El Paso? Or go with the Indian Health Service? You can live where you want, or get the job you want. Choose one. What ever happened to the good old days when the nursing shortage was universal instead of spotty? Good luck and best wishes. This will pass as more older nurses retire.