Newly licensed RN cant find work

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Specializes in addictions recovery, tele, peds.

I am running in to the old catch22. We cant hire you with no experience but I cant get experience if noone will hire me. I really want to work in the NICU I realize I may not be able to start there so Ive been trying womens health, OB,PEDS, L&D, mother/baby etc...........Even the staffing agencies around here want at least a yrs experience. How am I supposed to get a job?:banghead::banghead::banghead:

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Specializes in Med/Surg < 1yr.

I would go back to those places where you interviewed and ask them how you should go about getting the experience you need to work at their facilities. Also you can go to the hospitals and talk to different nurses, especially the newer ones and ask them how they got their jobs. Hang in there....

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC, Rehab, Hospice, Endocrine.

most places require a year of experience on med/surg before you can branch out.

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I was lucky and was offered a job in my area of interest right out of nursing school (OB) but if that had not happened I would have done my time on a medsurg floor first in a hospital that has a NICU/OB unit and then transferred when the time came. You get the experience, and start to build relationships with hospital co workers. Do you have letters of recommendation from your OB/Peds instructors? Those really help and so does having a portfolio.

Don't give up on your dream job though, if you can at least get an interview just really wow them with your knowledge. When they tell you they need experience have a "comeback" that is educated and that you put a lot of thought into.

It took me a couple months before I was finally offered a job and I had just accepted a medsurg position when my current job called and offered me a spot. Sometimes thats what it takes... have you ever heard of the saying

"when it rains it poors" ? It really is true...

Good Luck to you!

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Specializes in NICU.

If you want a job in a NICU, then apply for it. The NICU I work in now hires new grads. They have a limited number of new grads that they can hire each year though. I know a new RN who applied at my NICU, didn't get it, applied to another NICU nearby, and got that job. Call around and find out who has new grad programs. If you truly want to work in the NICU, don't bother with finding a job with adult patients. Everything is completely different with sick neonates. Other than that, if you could find a job in a newborn nursery, that could help learn "normal" baby stuff. Don't give up on your dream. It's out there. Good luck!:nurse:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

So sorry you're having trouble with jobbage. It's probably the area you live in. Down here, were' still scrambling for nurses - new hospitals opening all the time. New grads are hired right into specialty areas on a regular basis. Everyone provides formal 'support' programs (internships, residencies, etc) to ease the transition.

FYI - Staffing agencies don't hire new grads. They are not set up to provide the 'learning environment' that is needed for the first year (at least). When we contract with a staffing agency, we expect that nurse to hit the ground running with absolutely minimal orientation. I am sure that in a couple of years, you will be there also - but not just yet.

Is relocation an option for you? If not, you'll just have to keep on plugging away with the application process. Best of luck to you.

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