No new grad jobs now what?

U.S.A. California

Published

Hi, Anyone have advice....I graduated with an ADN in December 2008, found a terrific New Grad position, and was told last week that the position was cut due to budget constraints. I am finding that it is far too late to find another New Grad slot in my area (Inland Empire). I have called every hospital within 100 miles...the recruiters that find the time (they must be very busy, I know!) to return my calls all tell me the same thing...nothing available to New Grads right now. I know money is tight everywhere, but what the heck are New Grads supposed to do? I actually graduated with the highest grades in my class (not bragging...just mentioning that to show that good grades mean nothing). I contacted my school, my advisors/teachers, and every nursing contact I have...What do I do now? I have NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. The next New Grad programs don't start until July...and I may not even get into one of them. I have checked into LTC, however, I find no openings there either. WHY WHY WHY WHY are nursing schools pumping out New Grads when NO ONE IS WILLING TO HIRE THEM?????? Thanks for listening.

I also forgot to mention, there are a few hospitals that are still looking for New Grads. If you know any nurses in those areas that is the easiest way. It is hard in the IE because you have so many nursing schools in such a small area. My sister works in LA and I have asked a few of the nurses there and they were able to tell me of a few. I just need a job somewhere in S. Ca, and I will relocate there so it is a bit easier for me. I am out in the Cochella Valley and know I will be most likely relocating to LA or the San Diego area.

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If you have A LOT of PATIENCE, you can try applying to the VA hospital. It just takes a very long time to get hired there, but they are always hiring.

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Hi, Your story about getting dropped is heart-breaking---especially since you gave up another job. Did the hospital then post those "dropped" positions as open for experienced RNs only? Or did they tell you to reapply at a later date just in case they open up a new grad program at some point in the future? Good luck!!!!!!!

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Specializes in DOU/Telemetry.

I feel so relieved that it's not only me who cannot find a job!! I went to school in the Coachella Valley, and moved back to Pasadena after graduating in December '08 only to find NO JOBS for me. The same thing also happened to several of my classmates - they thought they had secure jobs and were dropped due to budget constraints. I just want to wish good luck to all of us as we keep on looking!!

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Did you try St. Bernardines in San Bernardino, CA? They do alot of new grads. Check their site, they have 33 positions open right now, with 13 in CCU.

http://www.stbernardinemedicalcenter.org/index.htmn

I feel your pain. Only I'm an out of work seasoned nurse of 18 years. I've been applying for 4 months. Seems these hospital don't want to pay to train new grads, then again, don't want to pay the higher wage for experience!

This site should give you a good start into looking into hospitals that have websites with careers listed.....

http://www.theagapecenter.com/Hospitals/California.htm#S

Good Luck!

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St. Bern has made it more than clear to me..actually saying that they won't be hiring outside of the local area.:o The recruiter was nice about it, but very blunt.

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that is horrible!

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Kaiserstudent, What did you mean by St. Bernardine not wanting to hire outside the local area...that they would only take nurses who live in San Bernardino?? I am in Riverside, interviewed with the recruiter couple months ago, she gave me this long song and dance about sending my resume to the manager and spent a lot of time telling me about the hospital, their benefits and starting wages for my experience etc...but never mentioned I couldn't work there because I live in Riverside. Of course I never heard from them again, and as usual, the recruiter never calls you back. The biggest problem with trying to get a position is to get by that recruiter. They are the link as to what pile they place your resume in...and not all make it to the managers desk. They are not all nurses and most know nothing about it.

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Well, I am not from the IE, I am a new grad out of Sacramento and having the same issues. No jobs for new grads. I have been applying at hospitals out of town and had an interview but they do no want to hire grads who live in Sac because they seem to leave as soon as they get a job back in Sacramento. The classmates of mine that did get jobs already worked for the hospitals. I have also been applying to SNFs and anywhere else with no luck. I have even gotten a couple of referrals only to find the jobs are filled by current employees. I, unfortunately, cannot move anywhere at this point. Also, come may there will be another 130 grads or so looking for work in this area. So, this stinks all the way around.

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The recruiter...her name is Bobbie...told me that the managers have decided to hire locally because they have so many candidates already established in the area. But then again I am in Sacramento, so maybe she just meant southern california

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that is SO FUNNY you would write that. Im having that EXACT same stressor. I just graduated in Sac too. All my other posts were talking about how I feel like I have a May deadline when there are "more of us" hitting the scene. At least the may grads have a whole summer AND another semester to look before their rivals come out.

This is MADNESS!

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

erdoreen. The first step at St. Bernardine's is the phone call from HR(usually bobbie) giving you a heads up about the hiring salary and such and then they schedule the phone interview. The second step is the phone interview with Pat Taylor, who asks you general hiring questions such as strengths and weaknesses. If she views your answers are appropriate than she states she will have Bobbie follow up with you to schedule a real interview with the Nurse Manager of the department you are interested in. I would have followed up if you were supposed to receive a call and didn't, they made an error in scheduling my phone interview but were quick to fix it after I followed up. (I have my real interview with the Nurse manager for ICU next week, hopefully it works out)

You would be in the hiring area living in riverside. I believe they are just looking for people who have been living in the Inland Empire for a while. There are a lot of locals looking for jobs, and it makes sense to hire them first choice because they are less likely to relocate in the middle of their new grad training program.

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