New nurse with no experience.

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Greetings!

I just passed the nclex and am currently awaiting the arrival of my license in the mail.

Meanwhile, I'm doing research online to get an idea about the job market in New York.

Most of the jobs posted online require at least 1 year of experience... which I sadly do not have yet.

Here is my situation:

I am a foreign-educated nurse. I passed the NCLEX the first time I took it. However, I graduated 2010 (due to a "concurrency issue"). So I applied for New York since it was one of the states where I dreamed of working. I got my att 4 months ago, took the exam on April.

I am currently employed in a job that isn't related to the healthcare field. I'm saving up for my move where I can find a job. I currently have at least 10k. I hope this would be enough money for relocation.

Finally, I would like some suggestions/advice on how to start my nursing career in such a tough job market given my lack of experience and those 4 years of being unemployed as a nurse after graduation... where do I start?

I'm considering

1.) Long term care

2.) Travel nursing

3.) Working in a place other than a hospital (just to get my foot in the door)

Also, I read that there are places in New York that are considered unsafe. I'm going to be living by myself there... if at all possible, I would like to stay away from these areas. But I have no idea which areas they are... it might sound silly... but, still, it doesn't hurt to ask... I suppose. Which areas in New York should I avoid? Just so I'd get a general idea.

Thank you very much for your responses. :)

Edit:

If you have suggestions of specific hospitals or places to which I could apply... I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

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New yorks a big state with a lot of people so there are a LOT of places to apply. Like thousands...

Judging from your financial situation (and the fact that you dont want to be in a crime ridden area) I think it would likely suit you best to look in northern NY. Away from long island (which generally is pretty expensive) as well as from the city (where its very hard to get a new grad job, and unless you have good money youll likely not be in the nicest area).

Im not exactly familiar with northen NY though, but good luck !

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Specializes in Supervisory; Long term; Home health.

You might want to consider obtaining your NPI number. That would enable you to do home care and bill Medicaid. The pay is good for an LPN, $21-$30 an hour depending on what type of case. The best part is that you are your own boss and the jobs are plentiful. Also, your job options aren't limited to geriatrics or low paying MD office jobs. LPN's aren't valued in NY like they used to be. Many hospitals are phasing them out in favor of RN's. I worked in geriatrics for many years and it is a high stress, high burn out job. I love what I do now and I am making much more money than in the nursing homes.

Many clients advertise on Craigslist. Many would be willing to take on a new nurse, they are anxious to find coverage and would be willing to train you to take care of them or their loved one. You can find information at "emedny.org". The process is a huge pain but if you can find another nurse to guide you through it would be easier.

As far as where to live, stay out of the major cities, pick a suburb of any of them. I live outside of Syracuse, NY and feel very safe. Central NY is a good area.

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You might want to consider obtaining your NPI number. That would enable you to do home care and bill Medicaid. The pay is good for an LPN, $21-$30 an hour depending on what type of case. The best part is that you are your own boss and the jobs are plentiful. Also, your job options aren't limited to geriatrics or low paying MD office jobs. LPN's aren't valued in NY like they used to be. Many hospitals are phasing them out in favor of RN's. I worked in geriatrics for many years and it is a high stress, high burn out job. I love what I do now and I am making much more money than in the nursing homes.

Many clients advertise on Craigslist. Many would be willing to take on a new nurse, they are anxious to find coverage and would be willing to train you to take care of them or their loved one. You can find information at "emedny.org". The process is a huge pain but if you can find another nurse to guide you through it would be easier.

As far as where to live, stay out of the major cities, pick a suburb of any of them. I live outside of Syracuse, NY and feel very safe. Central NY is a good area.

What part of her post suggested she is an LPN?

To answer the OP's question...check out smaller, community hospitals outside of the city. They will usually hire new grads for their telemetry or med/surg floors. It's clear that you want acute-care experience so stay determined to land a job in the hospital. Additionally, you will need that experience before you can do travel nursing/agency. Good luck!

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It looks like a good place to start. The area is actually similar to where I am right now plus it's pretty big. Hah! I'll have to check out the hospitals there too. Thanks thanks! :)

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What part of her post suggested she is an LPN?

To answer the OP's question...check out smaller, community hospitals outside of the city. They will usually hire new grads for their telemetry or med/surg floors. It's clear that you want acute-care experience so stay determined to land a job in the hospital. Additionally, you will need that experience before you can do travel nursing/agency. Good luck!

That sounds great! And yeah... I forgot to write down that I'm an RN. Heh. Acute-care experience is my target... but I'm okay with starting elsewhere if I can't get one. Working in a med-surg unit would be real nice though. Am I still considered a new grad? It's been 4 years since I graduated. :(

Outside the city... what about Hudson Valley? Is that a good area?

Thanks for the info! :)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

No not a new grad 4 years post graduation but a newly licensed nurse. You may be asked about the gap between graduation and licensure so work on an explanation now. Travel nursing requires usually 2 or more years of paid nursing experience (often in a specialty area to be most desirable). Acute care jobs are hard to come by consider subacute or long term acute care both are high skilled work environments.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I know another poster (though US educated ) had a 4 year gap between graduation and licensing (she had difficulty passing the NCLEX). She finally accepted that while a newly licensed nurse she was no longer a new grad. In the NYC area she was having much difficulty securing employment. Several hospital nurse recruiters strongly suggested that she take a nursing refresher class (includes clinical, theory, and lab but around $2000 on the plus side you network with nurse managers and educators) to be a more attractive applicant since her gap without current practice was so large and NY is a highly desirable state with many new & experienced nurses seeking full time employment.

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No not a new grad 4 years post graduation but a newly licensed nurse. You may be asked about the gap between graduation and licensure so work on an explanation now. Travel nursing requires usually 2 or more years of paid nursing experience (often in a specialty area to be most desirable). Acute care jobs are hard to come by consider subacute or long term acute care both are high skilled work environments.

Yeah. It'll be a little complicated to explain... but I'll work on it. Sigh. I considered travel nursing cause I came across several job postings online that said "no experience needed". I guess those might have been too good to be true. Plus it might not be a good idea after all.

What parts of new york do you suggest I look into?

I'm going to try to target as the above poster said community hospitals and yeah... ltc. As long as I'm getting experience. I'm all for it :D

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I know another poster (though US educated ) had a 4 year gap between graduation and licensing (she had difficulty passing the NCLEX). She finally accepted that while a newly licensed nurse she was no longer a new grad. In the NYC area she was having much difficulty securing employment. Several hospital nurse recruiters strongly suggested that she take a nursing refresher class (includes clinical, theory, and lab but around $2000 on the plus side you network with nurse managers and educators) to be a more attractive applicant since her gap without current practice was so large and NY is a highly desirable state with many new & experienced nurses seeking full time employment.

Did she get a job after the refresher class? I wouldn't mind taking it. How long did it take for her to finish it? It might be a good idea... it would help me get used to the hospital environment here. But I will have to save up for it first. 2k is a lot of money...

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

She refuses to take the class and is still unemployed.

You can google NY nurse refresher and check the NY state nursing association for classes. It has all the info you seek

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She refuses to take the class and is still unemployed.

You can google NY nurse refresher and check the NY state nursing association for classes. It has all the info you seek

Okay. Thanks!

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