New graduate needs a job!

[New Graduate Nurse]

I recently graduated nursing school in August and moved to the Grand Rapids, MI area. I am finding it very difficult to find a job, even get an interview. Any suggestions?

[mjeanpierre]

You and I are in the same boat. In Atlanta, Ga most of the hospitals are not hiring new grad until March 2010. I have graduated since May and passed my board in August. Any advise will be appreciated.

[JStyles1]

its all about making sure you're the best applicant you can possibly be. make sure your resume is the best it can be and make sure you're tailoring a cover letter to the facility. you can blanket your resume but make sure you're cover letter isn't generic. sometimes it may be better to contact the nurse manager directly instead of HR/nurse recruitment

[dreydog19]

Good Luck! I'm here in Grand Rapids too! Its very hard to find a job cause we have so many colleges graduating nurses. I think the only places you can find work is at homecare, dialysis, or a nursing home. Read up on the type of work before the interview so you sound educated in that field. You may want to get certified in a certain area as well. I went to Calvin. I currently work homecare, but started in dialysis. Good Luck too you!

[newbie.rn]

I am in the same boat as you. New grad positions are very difficult to come by especially here in Northern California. Things will turn around soon in the new year, hopefully. Continue to be aggressive in your search and apply to as many jobs as possible. And I agree with Pineapple devil and contact the nurse manager directly. HR takes forever in dispersing resumes to the nurse managers.

[jessi1106, BSN, RN]

Hi,

I am also in MI.

but I am in SE part.

do you have to stay in Grand Rapids?

Id o not know much about the hospitals and needs in that area.

feel free to email me. there are jobs where I am.

I'd also be happy to help with resume/interview etc.

welcome to nursing!

-jessi

[anzean]

If you could go somewhere other than Grand Rapids, I would recommend it. Although the healthcare industry is booming here, jobs for new grads are not. I have been a nursing assistant at Spectrum Health for two years now and even I am not certain I will have a job waiting for me when I graduate. The nursing assistants at St. Mary's Hospital and Metro are having the same problem. Good luck to you!

[Kaper]

Check out the military (army , navy, air force) and also the public health service (PHS). Consider moving. If you are single with no repsonisbilities there hospitals in other states hiring new grads, but you must be willing to move. Move, gain a year or two of experience and keep your resume updated in Michingan, if that is where your heart is.

Times are tough and we all can't get what we want, but we may be able to still get what we need.