New Grads - Share your success at getting your 1st Job

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With so many posts about people having a hard time finding a job as a new grad. I think it would be great to learn from students who have been recently successful and share some of their tips.

Specializes in NICU.

NETWORK! I fully believe that I recevied my job offer based on my own merit. The interview though.....yeah, I totally only got that because I found someone to namedrop for me.

In a sea of hundreds of applications you wil most likely be looked over for an interview unless someone tells the hiring manager to specifically look at your resume.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
"be a server"

Do you mean a waiter or waitress?

Isn't that interesting.

I have a feeling I know what you're thinking, but I'm a bit more optimistic about what it means. :) Everyone says that new grads have a hard time prioritizing and organizing. Waiters/waitresses prioritize and organize at their jobs. I HOPE that is why being a server is considered good work experience for new grads.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I graduated in May of 2010 and moved across country a week later (due to the military.) I applied for over 30 positions and was on the verge of giving up until I got the call from HR! I had a great interview and now work on a stepdown unit. I would say my gap time between graduating and getting hired was about 2.5 months. I do know there were about 40 applicants just for my position. Goood Luck!:anpom:

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I have a feeling I know what you're thinking, but I'm a bit more optimistic about what it means. :) Everyone says that new grads have a hard time prioritizing and organizing. Waiters/waitresses prioritize and organize at their jobs. I HOPE that is why being a server is considered good work experience for new grads.

I was a server and it helped me get my first CNA job. It was because I was able to multi-task, prioritize, and because of CUSTOMER SERVICE. Servers usually know how to treat people, or they don't make any money. This translates well to a customer-oriented industry such as healthcare.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

I graduated in May, took the NCLEX in June, and got a job offer in August. It was my one and only interview/offer, and the job starts in September. It's on a medical unit. I filled out over 20 job applications. I'm thrilled that I got a job but pretty nervous. It's a fellowship program and I will have a preceptor, so that helps. Good luck everyone!

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it definitely is tough as a new grad. i recently graduated this spring and passed my boards in july, and the job search has been rough [a lot of "no's" because of limited to no experience]. however, i recently was hired to work in a veteran's nursing home. i'm located in tampa and we have a million-and-one hospitals and i was at my wits end feeling discourage and wanted some answers and guidance, so i went to one of our major hospitals to speak to someone in human resources. the advice i received was really helpful. the man i spoke with said that many new grads are gaining experience their first year in doctor's offices, nursing homes, and smaller medical facilities. he also advised getting certified in something; e.g., critical care nursing so that you become a better contender to your counterparts. good luck and i hope this was helpful.

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I graduated in May and was offered a job in March. I had no contacts at the hospital....I relied on my work experience and cover letter and it worked. Start applying as early as the recruiters will allow you to. Be persistent and sell yourself! My teachers said applying in January was too early...I'm glad I didn't listen to them.

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Specializes in acute care.

Started applying in March, graduated in May. Applied to this particular facility in July and got called a short time later. Got hired, fortunately.

I did not do anything special to get this job. No networking, nobody 'hooked me up'. Fortunately, there are recruiters out there who actively look through applications, and not just interview the people who 'knew someone' in the hospital. Also, soon after I was hired, the position was removed from the site, so it's not just sitting there for months at a time like positions I have seen on other hospital websites.

It feels good to have a job.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Progressive Care.

I graduated in May, and applied/interviewed/was hired/passed my boards in June. I started in July on the cardiac care unit.

My hospital had 8 internal new grad RNs, and hired 7 of us. Working there in patient registration for 2 years was my saving grace; they didn't even look at outside candidates.

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I graduated May 2010 and passed my boards in July. I started applying to new grad positions in hospitals in March 2010.I only got one interview after applying to over 30 positions...i didn't get the job. I just got a job last week with in one of the best hospitals in my area. Job doesn't start till end of september. No networking.I'm very greatful..the job search has been difficult. I have experience as CNA since 2004.

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Specializes in OR, Informatics.

RN-Ella is spot-on. I worked as a nurse tech in the OR during my senior year of school. I'm now working there as a registered nurse. They actually held a position open for me from December 2010 until I graduated in May 2010. I got the NT position through networking, and proved myself as an asset during my time there. It was so reassuring to know, even in this market, that I had a guaranteed job upon graduation. It removed a lot of stress from my final semester of nursing school. My best advice is to take a job, any job, in the location where you'd like to end up. It's not a guarantee, but it's better than going in cold. Best of luck to everyone!

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NETWORK! I fully believe that I recevied my job offer based on my own merit. The interview though.....yeah, I totally only got that because I found someone to namedrop for me.

In a sea of hundreds of applications you wil most likely be looked over for an interview unless someone tells the hiring manager to specifically look at your resume.

Similar story here! I went through a 3 month long hiring process that included a phone and panel interview. After making it through those stages, I was called for an interview with one of the unit managers. She hired me on the spot without asking a single interview question because I did my senior practicum on her unit and several of the nurses that I had worked with recommended me to her.

This was the only position I interviewed for so I don't have a whole lot of other advice. It seems though, from talking to fellow new grads and reading posts on allnurses, that many new nurses have been successful by relocating and/or following up on their applications. A few of my classmates relocated (for family reasons) and were hired within a month of moving.

Good luck to those of you who still searching! :nurse:

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