Advice for making myself more marketable??

dragn2623 · Jul 15, 2011

Do you have experience other than your clinicals? If not, I would suggest voluntering at your local hospital. Networking is paramount...The job market is extremely tough in NJ.. I've sent out over 100 apps and to date only received two interviews and I had great grades, I have lots of corporate work experience, I was on every honor society you can think of, graduated magna cum laude... and so forth.. and If you can afford doing cetifications, they help you keep your nursing knowledge sharp and also show you are motivated.

IMHO, I would suggest that you should apply within a 1hr driving distance from where you live. It's not easy to find something in NJ so don't limit yourself due to distance. Perhaps you'll be one of the few lucky ones that lands an interview and gets a job immediately. But I would have a contingency plan in mind.

Please take my advice, network, network, network.....good luck, it's tough out here:nurse:

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2011

Hi! You're in my neck of the woods!

I applied to every job I found, at every hospital within an hour from me. Of those, probably 100 or more positions, I got two interviews (from the same facility) and accepted one of the positions.

Are you BSN or ADN? I'll be honest- if you don't have an ADN it's going to be really tough to get a hospital job with no experience. If you have a BSN you have a slightly better shot.

The first thing that people will notice is your resume- so make sure it's excellent. Professional font and format, organized and clearly written. Play up your experience and your skills, whatever that may be. Be persistent and apply to all different levels of care.

RoxyChic · Jul 17, 2011

I have a BS in biology and a BSN. I worked at a hospital about an hr from me as a PCT on a med surg floor but I was really hoping to find something closer. And I also did two externships on a peds floor but sadly that hospital isn't hiring for peds anymore

yarmada · Jul 20, 2011

The most important thing to remember is that you as a new grad canNOT be picky. Everyone who graduated with you is in the same boat and seeking the same opportunity. Take whatever you can get to put your foot in the door. You will have to work the shifts that nobody else wants but it is the first step in the journey. Good luck to you and don't give up...Nursing is one of the only jobs in the world that can never be replaced with a robot...

Spartacvs, BSN · Jul 20, 2011

Hi Roxy,

I just graduated from a 2 year school in upsatate NY.

There are no jobs for new grads in this region.

Hospitals will hire from within before they go outside.

I've applied to jobs from Brooklyn, NY to Kingston, any shift. It's a pretty wide swath of the region and there is nothing to be had.

My suggestion to you is networking.

When you send a resume you have to follow up with a phone call. Get the name of the person who will be reviewing your application (The Nurse Manager) and call them. If there is no position at that time ask when you could call back again or if they know someone. NETWORK!!!

With all the resumes & cover letters that I sent out, perhaps in the hundreds, and the follow-up phone calls it was my networking that got me 2 interviews and a part time job.

Good Luck

-Spart-

TammiCNA · Jul 20, 2011

You don't have to wait to get your license number in the mail. It's posted on nursys.com. I passed my NCLEX-RN a little over a month ago and there it was!

billyboblewis · Jul 23, 2011

Start applying for jobs now and fill out applications!