New Nurse Looking for New Job

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Specializes in RN.

Hello,

I am new to this. I am struggling as a new nurse. I had to quit my first job as a nurse. I am having a difficult time finding something else. Just looking for advice as a new nurse.

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Specializes in Quality Management.

Hello and welcome!
I can tell you right now most hospitals have a hiring freeze due to covid19. Customize your cover letter and resume for the job you’re applying for.

Otherwise keep applying in person, networking, indeed, Volunteer, hospital websites anywhere jobs are hiding LOL but yes keep applying. Talk to your nursing friends ask if they can help or if there’s any openings at thier jobs.

It took me 450 Unique applications to get my first job just to give you an idea.

This forum below is specifically for new nurses you might like it: https://allnurses.com/first-year-after-licensure-c141/

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Why did you quit your first job and how long were you there? You don't say how long it has been since you graduated either. Finding work as a new grad with less than a year of experience can be a challenge even when there isn't a pandemic going on. You will likely need to branch out and apply at new and different places that you may not have before. Look at public health institutions, clinics, prisons/jails, LTACH and SNF. Be willing to work any shift. Be ready to explain why you quit where you were without another job lined up. You will need to be able to do that without bad-mouthing your former employer. That can be tricky if you left due to being overwhelmed as a new grad.

COVID has made it hard even for experienced nurses to find a job, unfortunately, and nurses are being furloughed and laid off all over the place. Seems backward, but its how it is right now. Make sure you aren't being picky about what you apply for. You may have to also consider moving.

Good luck!

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Specializes in RN.

Thank you so much for your advice. I have 1 year experience in the hospital and I just completed my ACLS course. The only problem I have been having is with my references as I am an introvert and a fairly new nurse. It’s a little frustrating but I will keep my head held high! Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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I am in the same boat. I live in Manhattan but I am applying for hospital jobs in Manhattan, Queens, BK, and Bronx (any-shift & any-department). I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, was valedictorian, involved in many community/extracurricular activities, clinical excellence in every area, and I have letters of recommendation. I can't even get one single call back to schedule an interview. In total, I submitted close to 400 applications. I can't understand why I can't even get a call-back. This is so frustrating. 

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
1 hour ago, Nurse_NYC said:

I am in the same boat. I live in Manhattan but I am applying for hospital jobs in Manhattan, Queens, BK, and Bronx (any-shift & any-department). I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, was valedictorian, involved in many community/extracurricular activities, clinical excellence in every area, and I have letters of recommendation. I can't even get one single call back to schedule an interview. In total, I submitted close to 400 applications. I can't understand why I can't even get a call-back. This is so frustrating. 

Because most hospitals don’t hire new grads direct to the floor. Most only hire them through internships/residencies. For a lot of places those aren’t happening right now due to Covid. The N.Y. area was one of the tightest markets in the US before the pandemic for new grads. It’s even worse now. Either consider moving or apply outside of acute care. If you don’t have a BSN, you will have even more trouble in NY.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
On 6/23/2020 at 6:04 PM, QueenxRN said:

Thank you so much for your advice. I have 1 year experience in the hospital and I just completed my ACLS course. The only problem I have been having is with my references as I am an introvert and a fairly new nurse. It’s a little frustrating but I will keep my head held high! Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

If you have bad references you are going to struggle. You will need to branch out from hospital nursing and/or relocate.  Apply to less competitive specialties, such as SNF, LTACH, home health, jails, etc. 

Nobody gets a bad reference for being an introvert. There is more to this and until you can address it you will have a hard time unfortunately. 

 

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