New graduate job

[Cathytd]

Hi. I graduated in May 2014, passed my boards in August 2014, and now I cannot even get an interview. I live in the Bucks County PA area. I am getting very discouraged and concerned that the further I get away from my graduation date, the less likely it will be that I will get hired. I have put out many, many applications and have followed up. Everyone wants experience. Any thoughts?....

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

SE PA is so so so so so saturated with nurses. Have you looked to other more rural parts of PA or moving out of state?

[firstinfamily, RN]

How far are you from MD state line?? There are jobs in Harford County, although they are few. You may have to travel a little to find work.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

How far are you from MD state line??

The OP is located in Bucks County, PA, which is a suburb of Philadelphia.

[bcandygurl]

I say it depends. If you have your BSN, I would say open up your search within a hour distance. If you have you ADN, I would research RN-BSN programs and just keep looking in the meantime.

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Contact your connections. Email, call, or stop by to see every preceptor who you think may want to help you and let them know you are interested in working with them if there is an opening on their unit. Ask if they would be willing to put in a word with the NM if there is an open position, and if they are willing to accept a copy of your resume, leave them one. Contact any and all of your past instructors who may have a hospital position and say the same thing. in so many cases it is more of who you know than what you know. If all of that fails, SNFs, LTCs, and clinics may be more likely to hire new grads. If relocation is an option, I would look into that as well.

Where I am taking a resume to an NM works, but I have been told that is not an option in PA.

[SoaringOwl]

Move! I interviewed in 3 different states.

[RunBabyRN]

I hear your frustration. I'm dealing with the same thing here in CA.

Maybe post your resume here (with identifying info removed) so we can help you improve it? That might help some. :)

[_firefly, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Consider getting a job of some kind at a hospital that has an upcoming new grad program. I'm nearly certain one of the big hospitals near me only looks at externs, volunteers, and internal candidates. It seems to be a huge advantage.

Continue reading up, getting certificates, joining nursing organizations, etc because you will be asked at an interview how you stay current with the changing field of nursing.

Lastly just get out places to network. Volunteer at community events, join community service organizations, whatever but go meet people and keep in touch. Some hospitals really only care about who you know not what you know as a new grad.

[NightBloomCereus]

I live in the same area as you. I managed to get a hospital job but I worked there throughout nursing school. Many of of friends have found jobs as new grad ADN's and these are some of the places they are working. Check them out:

-Horsham clinic, Ambler

-Chapel Manor, Philadelphia

-Watermark, Philadelphia

-Manor Care, Langhorne

-Kindred, Philadelphia (I think?)

-Some doctor's office

-Genesis, various locations

-Behavioral Health services, Philadelphia (person worked there while in school)

-Some nursing home in Newtown (she didn't say the name)

-Corrections nursing (not sure of location)

-Holy Redeemer, Meadowbrook (worked there while in school but worth a shot)

Besides myself I only know of 3 or 4 others who landed hospital jobs and we all worked there while in school, so LTC or psych might end up being your way in. Being that you're very close to NJ, it may be worth getting reciprocity so you can check out places in Mercer County. The process takes about 4 months though.

Good luck. It's common to wait this long.