New grad woes: cannot get hired as a RN. Advice?

Published

I understand this is a common type of post, "How do I get hired with no experience if the only positions open require experience." Volunteer, apply as a CNA, apply farther away, network with your school, previous jobs/colleagues etc.-- are among the most common tokens of advice I will get. I understand it's common, especially in these economic times, that many people graduate and wait 1 year or more to find jobs.

I have been licensed for 2 months now (RN, BSN, PHN). I've had 2 interviews, neither of which landed a job. I tried all hospitals in my area, and have recently applied to countless SNFs, mental health facilities, prisons, etc. It's just disheartening to know you have a giant loan to start paying off in 2 months without even a nibble.

I will not give up and I will keep trying everyday to land this first RN job. I just wonder, what did you do that you found most effective in landing a job? Applying online feels pointless as my resume seems to fade into cyberspace neverland after being sent to so many employers. There is a service, ResumeArrow that allegedly sends your resume and cover letter to 3,000 recruiters, but who's to say my resume would not be a spam message in the inbox of a recruiter. I've found applying in person (SNFs are more likely to have actual hand written applications than big hospitals) to increase my chances. I've had my resume checked by a good deal of professionals and colleagues, but that "New Grad" label seems to always be the downfall.

Anyways, I think I got my point across. Any words of wisdom for those starving New Grads?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Honestly my words of wisdom are more for students. Start networking. Network now, before you graduate. I have had five interviews, three offers and I don't graduate until December. All because of who I know and managed to leave a good impression with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

Might have to go live somewhere that nobody wants for a year. When I graduated back in the day nobody was hiring new grads many places then. But less desirable places to live were. I had a few of my classmates move to Beaumont, TX to get their first year under their belt. Yup Beaumont sux, but after a year they came back and a whole new world was open to them. There are a lot of Beaumonts in the US, just do a little homework.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Back in my day many years ago, even when there was no oversupply of nurses for an undersupply of jobs, the people in school who made their connections while in school were the ones who got the jobs first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

This really is a very common question...did you try the search option first? You will find many many already posted tips and answers to your questions......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D.

I agree...network. It is not what you know...it is who you know. I graduated with a BSN in May and had 3 job offers waiting, all due to connections. Also, I live in a very saturated area...not many jobs to be had at the moment.

Keep your head up and start calling some of your old clinical

instructors/teachers with whom you have rapport :) Much luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Informatics, Biostatistics.
Might have to go live somewhere that nobody wants for a year. When I graduated back in the day nobody was hiring new grads many places then. But less desirable places to live were. I had a few of my classmates move to Beaumont, TX to get their first year under their belt. Yup Beaumont sux, but after a year they came back and a whole new world was open to them. There are a lot of Beaumonts in the US, just do a little homework.

That's your ticket. In a word 'move.' I can't say it better myself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Couldn't agree with the networking advice more.

It is still not to late to network, it may take some time for those connections to yield fruit, but you need to attack this from every angle.

Don't stop looking independently though. I was in the same position as you not long ago. I found that getting the initial interview is a huge milestone in landing a position, but it appears that you should be targeting your efforts to controlling what you can during the actual interview.

The fact that you got some interviews leads me to believe that your resume is sufficient. What did you talk about in your interviews?

If you manage to get through the door, you should already know that you meet all the minimum requirements, at this stage they are testing for fit.

Research, planning, and personality is what it all comes down to at this point. You are marketing yourself as a commodity in a sense, so you have to pinpoint what the needs of the hiring facility are and demonstrate why you are the solution to their needs, without being pushy.

They ask you a series of open ended questions, you steer them towards the point you want to make through personal anecdotes. I know this all sounds very vague, but you have to tailor everything from the cover letter to the way you respond during the interview to reflect the mission and values of each potential employer. I could go on forever about all the strategies I used during my 6 month job search, but they wouldn't necessarily work for you.

Use your personal strengths as leverage in your search. If you are great at making friends, use that to network and land an interview, then again when you are talking with the hiring manager. If this isn't your forte, then figure out another strategy to use what comes naturally to you to help seal the deal. You know yourself best, so take a moment to stop and think on it.

I only managed to get 2 in-person interviews during my job search, in the end, my planning and commitment paid off with job offers from both. I also continued receiving call backs and e-mails after I had concluded my search. I'm stating this because I was constantly shifting my strategies trying to hone my technique. Since most places only hold on to applications for a 2 month period, this tells me that it wasn't about how broad I cast my net like I was doing early on in the job hunt, but how focused I was on individual facilities towards the end.

I can't promise that my strategy will work for you, and it certainly won't be an instant fix, but it couldn't hurt to adapt your strategy in some way if you aren't meeting success.

I apologize for the rambling nature of my post =P

Good Luck,

-Dennis

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I won't say network while you're in school since that won't do you any good--you're no longer in school :) But don't underestimate the importance of networking period. The nice thing about networking is that you can start doing it at any time. Talk to anyone and everyone you know, and see if anyone has an in somewhere that you can use...and if they don't, maybe they have someone who does. A classmate of mine got a job through networking, though her initial contact wasn't someone in a hospital: it was a fellow church member who knew someone who worked at a hospital (not as a nurse) who was able to talk to a nurse manager about her.

Volunteer if you can: good networking opportunity as well as looks good on the resume. Plus depending on where you volunteer you can keep some nursing skills up...it won't be the same as working an acute floor but you can accomplish quite a bit.

Moving may have to be an option, especially if you are an in area saturated with competing new grads. If you don't have anything major tying you down, consider picking up and moving to areas in Texas, North Dakota, etc. where the demand is better. Stay for a year or two and get some serious experience, then you'll find yourself in a better position when you come back. Some places may even pay part/all of your relocation expenses. If you're still not sure, look at moving as an adventure because how often will you have the chance to live in Texas, North Dakota, etc. :)

(disclaimer: nothing wrong with Texas, North Dakota, etc. I loved living in Texas--if I could I'd move back in a heartbeat)

Last, if you're still unemployed in two months, talk to your lender about getting an extension for repayment. Most will provide extensions if you are unemployed if you can prove you're looking for work instead of sitting on the couch.

Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My advice: networking, and making sure you make a portfolio to take to interviews. I found that many places love portfolios and it's a great way to sell yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU.

Personality Personality Personality!!!

Smile as you are talking on the phone

Smile when you get the interview.

Say yes to EVERYTHING!!!!

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

This dismal job market is no smiling matter.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion