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

[nutrexercus]

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?

[J&B-RN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

I agree with the posts about moving. There are jobs out there for new grads, you just have to look for the places hidden between the cracks. For my first RN new grad hospital job (which took me 6 months of applying to find and I had a year of SNF LPN experience) I had to move 3 hours away to a rural town with a very small rural hospital. But once I get that year of med/surg experience there will be a lot more RN jobs available for me even in the areas of high nurse saturation.

Search for smaller rural towns in many states, call their HR department and ask if they have jobs available for new grads.

[Aongroup1990, CNA]

Any advice on how to network. Should I network mostly in school, with the clinicals. or hospitals?

[Aongroup1990, CNA]

Hello, Could you message me because I do need some advice on networking with nurses in schools.

[aea_11]

Network. Network Network. For instance, I renewed my BLS certification and introduced myself to people, first making small talk, then asked what profession they were in etc. One kind nurse told me they were not hiring on their unit, but told me I should go in while she was working so she could introduce me to her manager. I ended up meeting with the manager, gave her my resume to keep on file to when position would become available.

Countless times I was able to network in situations where you would least expect, receiving business cards and their emails.

Advice, if you are currently in your clinical rotations, introduce yourself to the nurse manager. Exchange emails, and suggest your interest in the unit. And continue to keep in contact with the manager beyond that clinical rotation.