No longer a new grad, still no job

U.S.A. New York

Published

I'm coming up on 10 months of graduation with a BSN, and still unemployed. I've applied to every hospital in the 5 boroughs, nassau and suffolk and nothing. Been on 2 interviews due to help from family members but still no job. I've accepted that I made a $60,000 mistake and now i have no way to pay it back. I cant even get a job as an aide, not even McDonalds will hire me because I have more than 1 BS degree. I'm willing to move to any state in the US for a job, in any area.

Do I have any chance of ever finding a job or should I just burn the RN license and degree as its worth more in ashes?

@yippi88 where upstate did you get a job if you don't mind me asking, I'm in NYC and its impossible here for new grads and I am now willing to move upstate if I have to just don't know where exactly upstate. TIA!

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What about hospitals with magnet status, or ones that are trying to get it? Your BSN might give you a slight advantage (okay maybe not, but it's worth a shotl... right?).

I did a quick search and this is what I found (not sure of the accuracy):

Bassett Healthcare

Hospital for Special Surgery

Huntington Hospital

Long Island Jewish Medical Center - (The LIJ campus includes Long Island Jewish Hospital, Schneider Children's Hospital, and Hillside Hospital.)

The Mount Sinai Hospital

North Shore University Hospital

Rochester General Hospital

The Saratoga Hospital

St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center

Thompson Health - Thompson Health is an integrated health care delivery system that had its beginnings 100 years ago. Thompson Health delivers the highest-quality, comprehensive health care in the Finger Lakes region.

University of Rochester Medical Center/Strong Memorial Hospital

[http://www.nurses.info/hospitals_magnet.htm]

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What about hospitals with magnet status, or ones that are trying to get it? Your BSN might give you a slight advantage (okay maybe not, but it's worth a shotl... right?).

I did a quick search and this is what I found (not sure of the accuracy):

Bassett Healthcare

Hospital for Special Surgery

Huntington Hospital

Long Island Jewish Medical Center - (The LIJ campus includes Long Island Jewish Hospital, Schneider Children's Hospital, and Hillside Hospital.)

The Mount Sinai Hospital

North Shore University Hospital

Rochester General Hospital

The Saratoga Hospital

St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center

Thompson Health - Thompson Health is an integrated health care delivery system that had its beginnings 100 years ago. Thompson Health delivers the highest-quality, comprehensive health care in the Finger Lakes region.

University of Rochester Medical Center/Strong Memorial Hospital

[http://www.nurses.info/hospitals_magnet.htm]

NOT HIRING. But I love Rochester, they have the most wonderful nurse recruiters who get back to you even if there are no available positions. Mount Sinai, take a page, please. *rolls eyes*

By the way, how often do they update that list? I didn't see NYU or St.Francis and they certainly have Magnet status. St.Peter's too, I believe.

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Like I said, I'm not sure how accurate that is. It was at the top of my google search query and was used as a jumping point for the OP.

I don't know about NYU and St. Francis, I'm sure they are. St. Peter's is. St. Mary's in Troy is in the process of applying for magnet status.

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Hey skny! I was in your boat 100%! Graduated from nursing school in VA, more than half my class had jobs before graduation! Came back to NY to no job! Passed boards in July 09, started working Dec 09! Look into agencies and nursing homes! Also, go and get your ACLS certification. Little things you can do right now will definitely help! The market in NYC is swamped right now so we're all feeling the pinch. I was just let go from my job due to downsizing so i'm back to looking again!

I hope you find something soon because as frustrated as I was, and as I know you are, nursing is an amazing career! So again, try nursing agencies and nursing homes. Once you have a start and the experience, it'll be easier for you to get a job!

Best of luck!

BxZetaRN_BSN

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so, next week will make it 1 yr since i was pinned as a nurse and i still have no job. I'm officially done with nursing. there are only so many no's you can take. when every single person you know has a job but you, it kills your spirit. mine is dead and buried. i dont even want to be a nurse anymore. i'm looking at jobs as a housekeeper/maid, so i can pay off my loans. going to college was a mistake!

Agree with everything you said. I've tried and tried so hard to apply for jobs. I feel like I don't want to be a nurse anymore either. So much for nursing shortage, they should call it "experienced nursing shortage." Hospitals are not even giving us a chance. Everything comes down to pure luck. Nursing school = biggest mistake of my life. I can't even find a different job with this degree.

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Agree with everything you said. I've tried and tried so hard to apply for jobs. I feel like I don't want to be a nurse anymore either. So much for nursing shortage, they should call it "experienced nursing shortage." Hospitals are not even giving us a chance. Everything comes down to pure luck. Nursing school = biggest mistake of my life. I can't even find a different job with this degree.

Hi Lilybee123,

I know exactly how you feel right now. I have been applying since I have passed the boards last March and I still cannot find anything. How long have you been applying?

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I finally found a job as an ER nurse in NYC, almost approaching my 3rd month of job hunting. Finding a job is a full-time job itself.

The last part is key. You can't casually apply to jobs and wait to be called. YOU have to call the nurse recruiter yourself, every week, and sometimes even go over them to speak to the nurse manager or director of nursing. E-mail, fax, etc. If there was a unit that had a vacancy, i'd call the nurse manager, and if they obliged, I'd sent them my resume. The trick is knowing how to get them to oblige. You've got to be persistent. I've read articles on nurse.com with new grads from the past 2 years giving advice on how to land a job. It seems, from their experiences, that a job search, that you're committed to, takes on average 4-6 months before you secure a position.

This thread offered up great advice for things you can do on your end to make sure you get an interview: https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/great-news-i-534778.html

Bassett Medical Center is hiring new grads if you're willing to relocate. I had a telephone interview with them which went well, and they scheduled me to come down and interview with 4 people. Check them out if you're interested.

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Everyone has said go upstate but i'm upstate and I can tell you there are NO job opportunities unless you know someone. The hospitals i've applied to are hiring from within, and i'm not within. I can't get my foot in the door on any level. I had a job offered to me in LTC and it was pulled back because they decided to go a different direction that didn't involve my position. I truly believe that the nsg shortage is a lie made up by nursing schools to continue to make money. If you want to work leave NY!!

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What is the starting salary for the bassett medical center, herowneulogy?

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What is the starting salary for the bassett medical center, herowneulogy?

No idea, I had originally set up a personal, face-to-face interview after a successful telephone interview. I cancelled it after getting into the ER. I imagine it wouldn't be as much as in the city, since the cost of living is much cheaper upstate. But don't let the salary deter you, you are a new grad and need the experience!

Good luck!

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Specializes in ED.

Hi- WOW herowneulogy which NYC hospital is hiring new grads in the ER? That sounds awesome and so rare! Were you an ER Tech before or something? Best of luck!

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