New graduate RN! Difficulty finding a job!

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello nurses!

I just graduated December 20,2009 as a RN, BSN and it is so tough to find a job right now. :mad:

I live in the Silicon Valley and it is like a war zone here! I am willing to relocate, possibly to Florida or Oregon but my priority is still in California. Any tips on what I can do? I am applying to volunteer at a Diabetes Society. I am also in the process of getting my application reviewed for RN transtion program, which is a program where I work four months with a mentor for free. I have been searching for a job every day for 3-4 hours, I feel very discouraged :crying2:. I am also very nervous to start my career as a nurse, I lack confidence and bombed my first panel interview :crying2:. Any advice, tips, would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you :redbeathe

When you go to your interview, really sell yourself. Exude confidence and really display your people skills. Show them(nurse manager) how you will be a good fit for them. Also, know your hospital, do some research,ie, values,mission statement. Explain how you would be an asset to them, and how you can carry out their mission,statement,values, in your practice

GOOD LUCK, keep us posted

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Specializes in ER.

this topic has been posted daily by new grads. If you do a search you will find lots of tips.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Texas has new grad openings, but only in more rural areas like Eagle Pass. The urban areas (Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding suburbs, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Waco, etc) are pretty saturated. Word has it Florida isn't any better than California. Its kind of tough all over right now.

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Specializes in neuro.

Im from FL and I graudated in December 2009. It took me about 5 months to find a job. The job market for new grads in FL is tough but I dont think its as bad as other places like CA. Almost everyone in my graduating class has found a position by now. Its worth looking into! Also, I heard that New Mexico and West Virginia are willing to hire new grads. I applied to a GN position at the university of west virgina hospital and I got a phone call the next day to set up an interview! Good Luck in your search and don't give up. Hope I helped in some way.:)

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Hi all,

I'm in the same boat, sort of. I graduated in 2007 but couldn't work as a nurse because I was active duty military. Now that I'm out and looking for ANYTHING, hospitals, prisons, home health, nursing homes and can't find anything. Even the VA hospitals that give veteran preference want a year of experience. I've been out since November 27 2009 and am thinking of going back in. I still won't be doing nursing work because I don't have a BSN which is what you need for nursing in the Navy but I can go in as a Corpsman again not nursing experience but I'll at least be doing something medical. It's really tough out there, even if you will take any nursing job with any schedule. No one believes me when I tell them how rough it is to get a job. They see all the nurse postings but don't see the experience requirement. I'm very sorry everyone is having such a rough time. Good luck to everyone in their searches.

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Hello all.

In the Birmingham, AL area, there are still plenty of RN positions open. The main factor in that is because, there are 6 hospitals in the area and a large medical school/teaching hospital as well. Talking with some of my new RN grad friends, they report for a night shift rotation, the starting pay is around 22.00 an hour. With the cost of living here, that is a pretty decent wage.

Also, for the matter of experience, the US Army reserves is accepting RN,s with an ADN. The active component is not, only BSN or higher. Check out the Army's website and you can get info on that such as pay, tution repayment, insurance ect..

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Hi Donnuh,

I was originally from San Jose too but I moved to Central Coast (California) to look for work. Then I found a RN position in a local hospital in San Luis Obispo. My advice is that you should applied in Central Coast, CA (Templeton, San Luis Obispo). It's only few hours away from San Jose. I know that couple of places eg, prison, skilled nursing facilities (some hospitals) are still hiring.

Good luck.

:)

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NurslingRN, If you are talking about WVU hospital in Morgantown, then, I wanted to let you know that Morgantown is a great town. Large university and active town. I have been gone now for several years, but I do miss it. I never worked at the hospital, just lived there for a while. You definitely have all four seasons there, it is about an hour away from Pittsburgh, and there are scenic areas around it. Good luck on your inteview!

Edited to Add: I would consider actually going there first to see if it is right for you. I don't know if you are just doing a phone interview. WV is a very lovely place. There is a reason it is called "almost heaven." Having said that, some people miss the really urban feeling of big cities. Morgantown is decent size by WV standards, but pales in size compared to other large US cities.

I am partial to it, because I was born and bred in WV and miss it.

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Specializes in 1.
Hi Donnuh,

I was originally from San Jose too but I moved to Central Coast (California) to look for work. Then I found a RN position in a local hospital in San Luis Obispo. My advice is that you should applied in Central Coast, CA (Templeton, San Luis Obispo). It's only few hours away from San Jose. I know that couple of places eg, prison, skilled nursing facilities (some hospitals) are still hiring.

Good luck.

:)

Thank you! Yes, I have a friend that lives there and she told me she applied there but they never called her back. I have applied at Bakersfield, Fresno, and I am also planning to apply at Sonara and Monterey. I think I have a better chance in those places. Florida is difficult to find a nursing job right now too! I called one of the hospitals in Panama City and their new graduates program is full! The other hospitals required nurses with experience. Thank you everybody for your advice. I will keep you guys posted. :redbeathe

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