New nurse seeking advice

[zegirl605]

Hello,

I recently graduated from a BSN program in DC. In January, I began looking for jobs on the east cost, but was unsuccessful. I decided to move back to Dallas, thinking that it would be easier to find a job here. Especially since the economy here is not as bad as in other states. However, I still found nothing. I took a break from applying to go on a mission trip and also study for the NCLEX. I passed on the first time and now I am officially an RN. Immediately after receiving my notice that I passed, I began to apply like crazy...Again. I have applied to over 50 positons since January. But already I am receiving rejection notices. Oh and I also had two externships while in school. Once of which was at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the NICU. I know that I should be patient but I am very frustrated because I did all the right things. I studied hard in school, I did the externships, I passed the NCLEX the first time. What else should I do? Many positions I want apply for require experience. I am applying for internships, but no bites. I am interested in NICU, Labor & Delivery, and ED. I am also researching NRP certification to add to my resume. What suggestions does anyone have?

[diane227, LPN, RN]

You may want to start looking at smaller hospitals in smaller communities. They often have a harder time finding nurses. It is tight everywhere. I am from Texas and when I was in Houston, you could always find a job. I live in the Seattle area now and you can't find a job here.

You might want to try some of the public hospital systems: Parkland, Ben Taub in Houston (part of the Harris County Hospital District). The public hospitals almost always have openings. At Ben Taub they have a great Pedi ED, Pedi ICU and the managers of those areas were great when I was there. It takes FOREVER to go through the hiring process at a public hospital so you have to keep on them. You might want to look at the hospitals in Austin. They are always busy but I don't know if they have openings. Good luck. Man, it is really hard for the new grads right now.

[SandraCVRN]

We have positions, new grad and experienced that we can't fill................. It's a mystery...

[dixiesnurse]

I feel your pain. I too graduated last December with my BSN, and passed my NCLEX in May. I have been looking for a job since then. I just barely got an offer working in hospice. I am a little weary about it. I applied for a lot of positions between May and now. I always get the same thing, some email saying I am underqualified because of lack of experience. Hospice is not really where I wanted to start, but I am taking it because I really want to nurse and feel like I will learn a lot from this job that I can use in my nursing career. I had read some articles about the reasons new graduates arent getting work is because they arent willing to take nursing opportunities that don't interest them. I call fooey on that one. I was even applying for MA positions because I was so frustrated. All through nursing school, I was made to believe that getting a job would be cake, and I could go into whatever field I wanted to, thats probably the most frustrating part about it! Anyways, while I have been searching for work, I was also volunteer nursing at a free dr clinic where I live to keep up on my skills and network. When I originallyapplied to the job I just took, I had emailed my resume in, and actually got no response, so I drove down there with another copy and introduced myself to the director and got an interview. My point is, just don't give up.You have a lot going for you with your externships and BSN! It would just be nice if people would remember what it was like to be a new graduate, and be willing to precept and mentor, instead of "eating thier young". Is not teaching someone one of the best ways to become an expert at something?

[zegirl605]

What!!!! What is wrong with these hospitals. I know it is expensive to train new grads, but how many experienced nurses are looking for new jobs. THanks