New RN's...do you have a job ?

senseiRN · May 17, 2011

I graduated first week of May 2011. Have gone on one interview so far.... I'm giving myself until September to find a job... otherwise, I will be looking out of state (probably Texas or NC)

chaosacres · May 17, 2011

Congrats to all of you who have managed to find a job! I have 18+ years as a LVN so I do have some skills that I have mastered that can transfer to the position of RN thus I wouldn't require as much orientation as maybe a new grad that has never worked within the healthcare field before. I obtained my BSN and graduated Magna cum Laude. I have had the opportunity to travel overseas and volunteer my time with various medical missions for various charity organizations. I graduated in Dec. 2010 and have sent out close to 200 applications and resumes (even utilizing a professional resume writer) just hoping that I would at least get an invite for interview. To date-nada. Have been informed (when I even manage to get a reply from any of the agencies that I have applied to...) that if I didn't utilize the particular facility during my clinical rotation, I wouldn't be considered for any positions (including residency programs) as they (the agency) were reserving their positions for those who actually utilized the facility during clinical rotations. Even those facilities that I did utilize for clinical rotations have told me that because I live a distance from them (despite the fact that I have told them I would relocate....) they would be looking towards those that live closer. Even the little rural hospital close to my home (about 25 miles from me) would rather utilize traveling nurses instead of taking on a 'new graduate RN' due to costs of training. Needless to say, it has been a very frustrating and humbling experience. I am looking at having to travel to find work (I travel over an hour anyway just to shop for groceries) which means that I will have to leave my family tending to the 'home front' but given this economy, what is one to do? For those of you who have found employment-well done! Any words of wisdom or advice would greatly be appreciated by those of us who are still looking....

thatguyindenver · May 17, 2011

yep its BS.... I wish I had known.

forestmaiden · May 19, 2011

I graduated over a month ago, I'm in western Canada, no job. I've sent over 100 applications, the job market here is awful. It's so frustrating. I might have to move if I don't find anything in another month. My student loans have run out and I"d be homeless if it wasn't for my parents loaning my money. I've gotten a few rejection emails back, no interviews. I'm getting pretty depressed about it.

thatguyindenver · May 19, 2011

I might get a job in a place I don't want to live...just b/c of who I know nothing else. Its terrible right now. If I was thinking about going to school for nursing right now I wouldn't go now.

dcRn2b · May 19, 2011

I was very blessed to find a job so quickly. I was offered a Gn spot at my dream hospital only 4 days after walking the stage. i take boards in June. I cant wait to start this new phase in my life. I am feeling very very blessed. Keep your heads high and pray!! Something will come along.

ASGRN · May 19, 2011

I don't know how much this can help you bc of the possible need to relocate, but University of KY Hospital in Lexington is hiring by the dozens, New grad, experienced nurses, techs unit clerks etc. THey are opeing a new building in phases. I grad in Dec 2010 and sent out at least 50 applications all over the country. UK hired me on the spot.

trooperwifey · May 19, 2011

I graduated the first week of May 2011

I landed an internship new graduate position in the ED in April. My hospital (in DE) and many in the area have these internships offered twice a year.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · May 19, 2011

You know what I find so confusing.....a lot of people on this board (and in general) say...."go for your RN , you will have SO MANY more opportunites!" then I read some threads where RN's are NOT finding jobs.
I wonder if RN is worth the financial, emotional, and physical strain.

I think it's a gamble. For every new grad who's struggling in the job market I know other new grads who found great jobs with ease, and we're talking same city, same school, same class. It's a combination of personality, contacts, ambition, persistence -- I wish I knew the lucky combo because I don't have it! So I wouldn't flat out say that it's not worth it to go for your RN (or BSN, or master's, as the case may be) just because others are struggling. What you need to do though is work on the Job Search at the same time that you're working on your schooling -- not to just focus on school and assume that finding a job will take care of itself. From day 1, you need to be thinking "what can I do to make myself a more attractive candidate"?

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · May 20, 2011

It's also based on location. Some places, particularly rural areas, tend to have more opportunities versus the big city locations. A lot more competition in the big metro areas. BSN seems to become the standard more and more. My work has been so slow, and I've got about 2 years under my belt in CCU, I had to start the hunt. I'm very grateful I went back right away for my BSN, because if I didn't have it, I'd still be looking, but was able to find another job because of it.

It's really a gamble though as well, I see new RNs who worked in a facility as a tech and had every advantage and still didn't get the job.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 20, 2011

Graduated on the 10th, took NCLEX on the 16th, got my Lic.# the next day. (we are told not to apply until we have that) started applying on the 17th. I just NAILED a pre-screening interview for a local hospital. I have no previous medical experience and jobs here in Northern Colorado are very hard to come buy. The HR lady said a lot of good things about my interview and said she would start setting up interviews for me next week. I am going on vacation from June 1st - June 9th and she told me to go ahead and go and she promised it won't effect my chances. She said my interview went better then a nurse she just interviewed with a lot of experience.

Get yourself noticed to get an interview. Email any contacts you made at the hospital, email the HR person. (not stalk but try to get your name noticed)

3 big things when you get the interview

1. She said the best part of my interview is that I just had an outpouring of enthusiasm. She said it was a huge plus.

2. Know the companies mission statement and find a way to bring that up in the interview, know about the company.

3. SELL YOURSELF. Tell the company why they need YOU!

added pluses for in person interview that someone just was telling us. Make sure you are dressed very professional. This lady we talked to said she is always amazed how some people dress and she is sure they think they look great. Girls, not an ounce of cleavage, and skirts to the knee and not above. Invest in a pants or skirt suit.

Give a good firm handshake and smile.

Anyway, I am cloud 9 after my phone interview. Best of luck to everyone.

ETA: Don't be picky about units and shifts she said she is amazed at how picky new grads are.

txmommyof3 · May 20, 2011

I was offered my dream job at the local county hospital 5 days before graduation. I currently work as a Nurse Tech at a different hospital where I could only get 1 interview out of 10. Their loss. I take my boards June 17th and start my new job July 11th.