New RN frustrated: can't find a residency or a job..... Suggestions?

MsbossyRN · Aug 16, 2010

Same boat here, just in Virginia. Good luck

Carrie_MTC · Aug 16, 2010

It's like that in Ohio. I've applied to roughly 40 hospital positions all over the state and no call backs. Ended up taking home health position for company I worked as an aide for in nursing school, just b/c it's a job.

gaajr1, RN · Aug 18, 2010

It's the same in California too! Good luck and don't loose hope. Meanwhile if you can update your certifications etc. so you have an edge over others.

msdaschcav · Aug 18, 2010

I was just told by a recruiter at Mount Siani to take a nurse RN refresher course. She took one look at when

I got my license(2009) and when I graduated (2001)and that was the first thing she told me. Anyone else with the same issue. This sucks!!! I am ready to work:crying2:

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 18, 2010

I was just told by a recruiter at Mount Siani to take a nurse RN refresher course. She took one look at when
I got my license(2009) and when I graduated (2001)and that was the first thing she told me. Anyone else with the same issue. This sucks!!! I am ready to work:crying2:

You are absolutely NOT ready to work. You have not worked as a nurse since you graduated and there have been at least a million things that have changed in our field since 2001. Passing the exam and working as a nurse are two completely different things. You would not be safe on the floor and the recruiter was completely correct in telling you to take a refresher. I'm surprised that your state even issued you a license without requiring one. Most regulatory bodies want one if you've been inactive for more than 5 years, so 8 would be a red flag. Sorry to be so blunt, but you've forgotten far more than you realize and even the things you remember will have changed.

msdaschcav · Aug 19, 2010

I actually did a remedial course already since I am in Florida. The Board of nursing would not have issued a license as you put it if I did not. But that is still not enough. It is apparently clear that things have changed since I graduated but I guess I had an idea that there would be some type of internship/training available. I am not a new grad so where do I go from here? I worked very hard to gain my license after all of the challenges, family issues, losses and frustrations. I was determined and I made it by the grace of God. If a refresher is what I need to do that is what I will do. I would prefer to be safe than sorry.

grateful2010, LPN, LVN · Aug 20, 2010

I actually did a remedial course already since I am in Florida. The Board of nursing would not have issued a license as you put it if I did not. But that is still not enough. It is apparently clear that things have changed since I graduated but I guess I had an idea that there would be some type of internship/training available. I am not a new grad so where do I go from here? I worked very hard to gain my license after all of the challenges, family issues, losses and frustrations. I was determined and I made it by the grace of God. If a refresher is what I need to do that is what I will do. I would prefer to be safe than sorry.

I'm in a similar situation. Graduated winter '04, passed the nclex spring '05, license FINALLY released july '10 (at the time I took and passesd the exam my legal status was up in the air). I have been hired by a Home Care Agency for home visits and I will administer flu shots this season. Of course the gap in my resume isn't appealing, I'm trying a new approach by providing an explanatory cover letter. My goal is to work in a medical setting, preferably a hospital of course. As of now I can't afford a refresher course, I really don't think I need it! I assume that most of my "learning" will be done at the work place....yet, If push comes to shove I have a mental deadline of when I will succumb to taking a refresher.. :uhoh3: I have high hopes to be employed by october.

If you can afford a refresher it wouldn't hurt to take one, but before you do I think you should put your best foot foward as a "self-employed" agent. Apply to all of the hospitals, nursing homes, medical offices, etc within your town for the next month or so. Act as if your life dependeded on it...no slacking! If all else fails, only then you should take the classs. In the meantime while searching for jobs review current nursing trends, get certified in ACLS/BCLS/PALS...any minimum requirement to be employed as a RN. Most of all have a positive outlook and a goal. If you are a believer, call upon GOD for help, clarity, peace of mind, focus. Anything that is meant for you, NO ONE can take it away. Best of Luck on your great journey..:)

FutureNVNurse · Aug 20, 2010

WHAT???? Are you kidding me?

OK Im scheduled to start Nursing School in 2 weeks, and Im still on the fence about whether this is really the correct thing for me to do at age 45.

New RNs are getting No call backs? Can someone explain this situation to me?

This is now what I´ve been hearing for years about this huge Nursing Shortage and that EVERYONE in the Nursing Field has a job.

86toronado, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2010

WHAT???? Are you kidding me?
OK Im scheduled to start Nursing School in 2 weeks, and Im still on the fence about whether this is really the correct thing for me to do at age 45.
New RNs are getting No call backs? Can someone explain this situation to me?
This is now what I´ve been hearing for years about this huge Nursing Shortage and that EVERYONE in the Nursing Field has a job.

It really depends on where in the country you are. Where I live, hospitals are still hiring new grads. Not in droves like the were 3 or 4 years ago, but way more so than in places like California, Florida, and big cities on the east coast. Want a job in Boston? Better have 2-4 years of experience and a BSN... I spoke to my friend who works at a major Boston hospital, she said new grads from that hospital's own nursing program are moving to Texas, New Mexico, etc. to gain experience, with plans to move back in a few years because there are just no jobs for them now.

Why?

It sucks, but the reality is nurses, especially new grad nurses had it good for years, being able to have their choice of jobs, shifts, and a sign on bonus if you please. Now that the economy is in the dumps, more experienced nurses who may have only been working per diem, or part time are snapping up those full time jobs, or staying on night shift to earn more money, because maybe their spouse's job is on shaky ground. Older nurses who were planning on retiring, and then saw their 401k go to half it's previous value are obviously still working. There are a million reasons why there aren't lots of jobs for new graduates right now. But it's cyclical, and when you graduate in two (or four) years, it may be a different story.

My advice to you would be if you want to be a nurse because it's something you think you would like to do, go ahead and start school in two weeks. If you want to do it because you think it will be a recession-proof job... there is no such thing. Oh, and to repeat the advice that I've stated time, and time again on the student boards... if you don't already have a job in healthcare, get one now. It won't guarantee you a job when you graduate, but hiring managers are way more likely to hire someone who has patient care experience to a new grad position than someone who's only got nursing school on their resume. :twocents:

patientadv · Aug 21, 2010

Good luck! It's like that in California. I was just hired on through a hospital that has a Versant Program! One of 14 positions out of 500 applicants!

Hiring managers are telling me that it's not uncommon to see between 500-1200 resumes for a handful of positions!

My manager told me that all the resumes she has seen has extra certifications---

So the question is how do you set yourself apart when everyone is doing the same thing, i.e., studying and getting certified!

Go knock on doors...

Good luck!