New Grad w/ License - Job market

[Tito RN]

Hello all, I have read through this forum several times, but first time writing. I applied at Loyola, Rush, Northwestern, most of the Resurrection hospitals, alexian brothers, advocate to name a few. I have only had one or two positive conversations with the recruiters. Does anyone know the current situation?

I would like to hear from new RNs w/ a license who are just applying for jobs that do not have any tech experience. It would also be nice to hear from nurses who are currently working and know of the hiring situations in their departments.

I have heard the following things to list a few: there is a current hiring freeze, we are hiring internally (but still list the position externally), new grad residency program is no longer offered, we get lots of applications (so no response even in 3+ weeks?), and ofcourse the most popular response that we are looking for more experience.

And for those people on this forum that like to write "please look at other topics regarding this"...please don't write that because its not helpful at all. I am trying to get a current understanding of the job market and not what was posted maybe 2months ago or more.

Thanks for reading and thanks for your responses in advance.

_Tito

[cheez1285]

Hi SNUSNU,

Can you divulge the Naperville insurance company that is hiring? Thank you!

The company is called RSA Medical. I worked there for about 2 years before I started a new grad program in Rockford.

[Bells23]

NMH is hiring new grads. They get a lot of applications, so they are extremely selective. They hire BSN nurses only and prefer if you have some experience.

Write a strong cover letter explaining what you have been doing after graduation. Find a position administering vaccines for an independent vaccine company. Flu season is over, but they still need nurses to give travel vaccines. You can search Craig's List for small odds and ends positions. Just be careful that the job is legit. Another option is volunteering for free clinics. All of these would give you at least some experience to put on your resume, and it shows that you are proactive.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

You might try farther outside Chicago. Have you considered downstate?

[nursingsfuture]

hey snusnu, can u forward the company's name to me as well? Thank you

[JModz RN]

I'm a new grad from Joliet area and let me tell you, it's no better here! I have many many friends who are still looking. There are quite a few hospitals in our area that ARE hiring new grads but in very small #s, to the point that they didn't even have enough positions for their techs who graduated. I know you're looking for advice about places in your specific area but just giving you a heads up that it's pretty bad everywhere it seems. Only advice I can give you is to broaden your search - how far are you willing to travel... And look for nursing job fairs! A few friends scored pretty decent jobs that way. NH's are really noone's first choice but sometimes you have to suck it up to get the experience that hospitals want.

Good Luck with everything!! Us new grads got to stick together lol

[JModz RN]

Oh, also, definitely write a strong cover letter & resume and really SELL yourself! That really truly does make a difference. I have a friend who is a nursing recruiter and that came straight from her (she's not around here unfortunately lol)