New Nurse NO Experience NEED HELP!!!

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i could possibly have the worst work experience that exists. first of all i have none in a healthcare setting other than my clinicals (not even an externship!). the two years i spent in nursing school i applied for PCA, Nursing Assistant and Unit Secretary positions and a variety of hospitals and never got lucky enough to score the opportunity. The only work experience I have are from retail stores, 2 I had to quit because i started failing in school and 1 that i got terminated from without notice because a new manager came in while i was away for school. All these work experiences lasted less than 6 months and I'm embarrassed to even include them in my applications.

Some positive experiences: I've done a presentation at an Evidence-Based Research fair at the hospital where i did my clinicals and another presentation for change process to the Vice President of Clinical Services. I was also president of one of the largest and highly-respected student organizations on campus during which i was able to raise and donate $500 to a foundation and was awarded with a program award.

Presently I signed up to volunteer at a nearby hospital to perk up my resume. I'm thinking about picking up a non-licensed part-time job to help pass the time and hopefully perk up my resume too. I don't know I feel so hopeless, and extremely discouraged to even call and ask about my application. I could see everyone just look at it and say "are you kidding me?" Any advice or words of encouragement?

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Chad, email me. I might have an idea for you.

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Katz78 can you give me an idea too. I' m also a new grad seeking employment in NY!;)

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Ok, NM the email.

Ok, to get some direct care experience in a healthcare related field... look in your area for companies that provide group homes and such for developmentally disabled people. Jobs like "residential support staff" or "habilitative support staff" do not require any licensing so you can work there while getting experience like foley care, ADL assistance, PEG tube care and feedings, etc.

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Ok, to get some direct care experience in a healthcare related field... look in your area for companies that provide group homes and such for developmentally disabled people. Jobs like "residential support staff" or "habilitative support staff" do not require any licensing so you can work there while getting experience like foley care, ADL assistance, PEG tube care and feedings, etc.

That's a great idea and worth pursuing. I can imagine, though, it could be difficult to land such a job if one has already finished nursing school. Employers may not trust that the applicant would be willing to stick around very long, imagining that the nurse would leave just as soon as a better offer came along... and with an RN license, just about any job offer would probably beat support staff in terms of pay (as opposed to hiring someone with fewer potential alternate job possibilities). Sometimes, 'overqualified' can make it difficult.

I suppose one might 'forget' to include the nursing degree and license on one's application. I know I'd be uncomfortable with that.

Regardless, it can't hurt to look for such opportunities and give it a shot! Any inquiry could lead to an unforeseen opportunity. Keep on keeping on!

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Thanks for the advice, but I kind of share the same feeling as jjjoy. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving out my license from my resume because i've worked so hard for it! anyway i recently had an interview for a dermatology office as a RN, but the job isn't really like an RN-job, they just need the license for someone to operate a machine. I've also got another interview coming up for a flu clinic so hopefully that works out too. My sister is an RN and she told me that it's still early in the game, to be patient and keep trying. I graduated in May and passed in June. My sister graduated May 2010, passed in August and got hired in December. So there's still hope!

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fortunately these types of jobs have a high turnover rate. They hire just about anyone.

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hey so have you had any luck finding a job yet? I have pretty bad luck too. Ive applied to so many positions i forget which ones ive applied to. I just called kaiser and they told me they have too many applications for volunteering that they are not taking apps until the 1st of 2012! I'm so confuse right now its almost a year since i graduated. I'm trying to find a recruiting agent to find me a job. Not too sure how that works. I keep contacting the wrong types of recruiting agency that want 3-5 year experience! Any ideas since you last posted this?

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Hey guys...I am in the same boat! I have applied to various positions and new grad programs as well....received plenty of rejection letters/emails and still waiting on some. It is very discouraging I almost feel like I've run out of ideas on where to look/search for jobs!

BUT......

Theres always a light at the end of the tunnel! We just need to keep our heads up and continue to think positive =)

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, SICU, MICU.

I just got a job, graduated June, boards in July. I consider myself EXTREMELY lucky and am still trying to convince myself it's happened. I spent almost 2 months applying online, etc., until I realized that's not how you get a job. It's completely WHO you know!! Join a professional organization, hand your resume out to everyone, put blasts on Facebook to friends to see if they know anyone in healthcare that could introduce you. Go to professional mixer/networking events, just let anyone and everyone know that you're an enthusiastic, qualified RN who is looking for a job in which to excel! See if there are any clinics in your area that will allow you to volunteer as an RN. Summer camps need RNs, many will allow you to volunteer your time and still use your license.

I hope that helps a little bit. You can do it!! There are jobs to be had, you might have to widen your search radius or the areas you're looking into- check out Craigslist!! I got several interviews and 3 job offers off of Craigslist (a couple were part-time, but hey!). Make sure you're on Indeed and Monster. Although I haven't had much luck with them, some people on this forum swear by it.

Good luck! Remember, you worked your behind off for this degree/license. There's something out there- go get it! :yeah:

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I just got a job, graduated June, boards in July. I consider myself EXTREMELY lucky and am still trying to convince myself it's happened. I spent almost 2 months applying online, etc., until I realized that's not how you get a job. It's completely WHO you know!! Join a professional organization, hand your resume out to everyone, put blasts on Facebook to friends to see if they know anyone in healthcare that could introduce you. Go to professional mixer/networking events, just let anyone and everyone know that you're an enthusiastic, qualified RN who is looking for a job in which to excel! See if there are any clinics in your area that will allow you to volunteer as an RN. Summer camps need RNs, many will allow you to volunteer your time and still use your license.

I hope that helps a little bit. You can do it!! There are jobs to be had, you might have to widen your search radius or the areas you're looking into- check out Craigslist!! I got several interviews and 3 job offers off of Craigslist (a couple were part-time, but hey!). Make sure you're on Indeed and Monster. Although I haven't had much luck with them, some people on this forum swear by it.

Good luck! Remember, you worked your behind off for this degree/license. There's something out there- go get it! :yeah:

:ancong!: Thanks for sharing your tips. Best of luck :yeah:

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YES! thanks for the support!

how do you get past your fears? i feel like i really hold myself back because i don't even think i'm qualified, but i really want to start somewhere and i know that i can be good at this. i got an offer at the flu clinic but turned down the job because i didn't really understand the terms of the contract.

question on following up on your applications: when they tell you that your application is on file and they are still looking to fill the position, what would you ask next?

still trying to stay positive. i try to remind myself that every person i personally know that graduated in nursing with or without the externships/pca jobs/etc. managed to land a job last year. so i can do it! we can do it!

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