New Grads... it is possible!
I know that I for one feel lied to, especially by my nursing instructors. Not once did they make it seem like any of us would have a hard time landing an RN position. They even made it sound like we would have our pick of specialties. Unfortunately not long after graduation I found that this was not the case.
I graduated in May of this year with a BSN and the hopes of landing a hospital job. Not my dream job, but a hospital job. Ideally I would work in OB or PEDS but I knew I had to be willing to do whatever it took to get in somewhere.
I moved 1000 miles away from my home, and a huge new hospital that had just opened and was accepting new grads for Med- Surg left and right. Many of my friends even got Oncology, ED and ICU positions. I applied to EVERYTHING I could find and did not receive my first call back until 5 months after graduation. It was for a pediatric home health position which actually scared the crap out of me but I figured I would give it a try. I started that and on the side did flu shot clinics.
I was starting to feel like nothing was going to happen for me, that I would be staying in home health for at least a year to gain some skills. FINALLY, 6 months after graduation I received a call back from a major children's hospital for an interview. I was so excited that I could hardly stand it!!! I interviewed and accepted the position less than 24 hours later!!!
It is possible for a new grad with little experience to get into the hospital. I knew NO ONE in this hospital and still landed an interview. I applied online as well. I was starting to wonder what universe all of those online applications where ending up in!? Apparently my application landed in the hands of the right person. I pray that yours all end up in the right hands as well. I know how devastating this job market is for new grads and have read countless posts from new nurses a year out from graduation with not a single job lead. I hope you all find something soon! I truly feel so blessed that words cannot describe. Thanks for listening.