New Nurse Grad Blues.... : (

Published

Graduated in 2012 with an Associate Nursing degree from a well respected, accredited community college. Already had a bachelor's degree from state university in another field prior to going to nursing school. Upon graduation I took and passed NCLEX first attempt. I am a Florida RN now. MONTHS of applications to everyone and everything under the sun and not even one interview yet! I understand that I don't have a BSN. I understand that I have no experience yet. But how do I get experience? What is going on? Is anyone else out there experiencing no jobs because of lack of experience? Should I take the CNA exam and try to work as a CNA? Is it legal to apply for CNA positions? Who hires new grad RNs??????????????????????????????????? Do I just sit on my thumbs and spends day after day applying? What happens if it is a year or more after I am out of school? Am I not considered new graduate any more? Will I have "aged out"? Frustrated as hell!

Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.
I just started at Florida Hospital Heartland Division. They have 3 hospitals in the Sebring/Lake Placid area, and are very new grad friendly. They don't post a new grad or residency position. You just apply to the regular RN positions. They use the same orientation/training program that the Orlando division uses.

I started my career with FHHD in the Lake Placid M/S & ICU units and moved to the ER and loved every shift :up: I have since moved back to MI and work in the pediatric ER with University of Michigan.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am looking in the Jacksonville area, also. I received my BSN in May and passed NCLEX in June. I've applied all over Jax, and so far only got one interview, with no job offer. It definitely stings :-\

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am nervous about being in this position as well. I also have a previous degree and loads of business experience as well - I know that's not nursing - however, it is responsible with good habits and great customer service skills. I am mature and focused and know how to build a team that works together once I have some experience. these are things that constantly hear from employers they want but just can't "teach". I've even heard that many hospitals advertise positions they have no intention of filling, so I'm not understanding why there is a "shortage" of nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was in your shoes a few years ago- and I had a BSN. It was incredibly frustrating to have a license in hand and still not have HR give me the time of day. I moved to S GA way out in the middle of nowhere- worked for a couple years and now I'm moving back. Wasn't a problem finding a job after I had experience. Went from resume submitted to hired in less than a week. If you can relocate, get a GA license and move out to where the cows live- nurses don't eat their young, more of a be nice to us and we'll do the same. Its a great place to be a new grad. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you work in South Georgia, and where do you work now?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just an update on my quest to land a job in Jacksonville, FL. I was never able to get an interview after months and months and months of applying. I did what someone else suggested and found a rural hospital in Georgia and was offered a job in a small hospital as a med/surg nurse. I have been there almost two years now and went to a job fair in Jacksonville, FL not too long ago. I spoke to a recruiter and she stated that she would like to see me employed at a hospital for at least three years to show some commitment to an organization before she would consider me as an applicant. She also stated that at her hospital the patients were very sick. Commitment? My previous job I was at for more than 11 years. I am driving....commuting 3 and half hours to work in Georgia! I've been doing this going on two years! I don't like to change jobs but come on. I want to live in Jacksonville with my fiance. And despite what some may think, the patients at my little hospital can be very sick. Septic shock sound sick enough for you? How about multiple system organ failure, end stage renal failure?? Anyway, my fiance is still in Jacksonville pissed at me because I can't find a RN job there. Still frustrating to not be able to get a job in big city of Jacksonville, FL as an RN with nearly two years experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Did you ask the lady how long she'd worked for the hospital? In today's day and age, wanting a 3 year commitment to a job is ridiculous. People move. People change jobs. I always find it funny that you get these lectures at company meetings about "better yourself, go back to school, improve, improve, improve" but when you try to improve, the door gets slammed in your face.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Neuro, Orthopedics.
Just an update on my quest to land a job in Jacksonville, FL. I was never able to get an interview after months and months and months of applying. I did what someone else suggested and found a rural hospital in Georgia and was offered a job in a small hospital as a med/surg nurse. I have been there almost two years now and went to a job fair in Jacksonville, FL not too long ago. I spoke to a recruiter and she stated that she would like to see me employed at a hospital for at least three years to show some commitment to an organization before she would consider me as an applicant. She also stated that at her hospital the patients were very sick. Commitment? My previous job I was at for more than 11 years. I am driving....commuting 3 and half hours to work in Georgia! I've been doing this going on two years! I don't like to change jobs but come on. I want to live in Jacksonville with my fiance. And despite what some may think, the patients at my little hospital can be very sick. Septic shock sound sick enough for you? How about multiple system organ failure, end stage renal failure?? Anyway, my fiance is still in Jacksonville pissed at me because I can't find a RN job there. Still frustrating to not be able to get a job in big city of Jacksonville, FL as an RN with nearly two years experience.

Thanks for the update on your story. That hospital sounds crazy. I think she was pulling stuff out of her butt because she doesn't want to hire you for some other reason. I'm working at a level 2 trauma center right now and want to work somewhere with LESS acuity. I'd trade with you in a heartbeat. 6 of these Q2 pain med trauma patients are too damn much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion