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.

NickiLaughs, I did get the HR call, who set me up with Pat Taylor. Pat is the one that told me about the hospital history, union, wages etc.. After the telephone interview, she said that she would send my resume to to manager, but there many applications ...and more or less indicated "don't call us, we call you" attitude. I tried calling Pat twice for follow-up as I didn't get to see the manager, but as usual with these recruiters, their phones are always on voice mail, and they never call you back. Also, I applied for many positions at Community San Bernardino, positions for which I was WELL qualified for...never even got a call from HR or recruiter...only a "not selected" on their website. What gives?? The fact that I'm an 18 year nurse and they don't want to pay the higher wages? (Since the pay is based on a scale of how many years you have in Nursing). Of course, I was applying for NICU, where there was only 1 position, ICU, they have 13 positions open. Even though I have 6 years in ICU, I just don't want to go there. You will learn alot and obtain great critical thinking skills in ICU, But don't let the 2:l ratio fool ya, it can be extremely busy and stressful. (of course that's anywhere in nursing) Wish you luck in your interview. :-)

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hummm, jails etc. Not a bad idea nor is VA hospital a bad idea. Word of advice from someone who worked in jails: when you go for an interview leave your fashion sense at home. Wear slacks and a modest woven fabric blouse that fits on the loose side. Wear a blazer and no heels. Very little makeup. Believe me you are more likely to be hired because your interviewer wll see that you are already sensitive to your environment. You are safer in a jail than on some streets. BTW, may of my nurse friends met their policeman husbands in that enviroment.

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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.

This recession is time to get yourselves past the recruiters. Job fairs are great because the head nurses and supervisors often show up and you can bend their ears. Just be sure to have a complete resume and transcripts etc in hand. NO JOB FAIRS COMING UP? just get past the recruiter. They studied a long time to be gatekeeppers and don`t want to become obsolete during a recession. Think about this last comment!

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

erdoreen. Yeah, I am well aware that ICU is a busy place, it was one of my favorite rotations though in nursing school. They do seem to have a lot of applicants. It could just be sheer competition. Based on what Pat said I would assume that perhaps they were looking at another applicant. That sucks. Have you found work anywhere else?

I did get a job at Hemet Vally in tele, but I'm hoping that the interview at St B's pans out. : )

Good luck to everyone

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The bay area is in the same condition. No jobs around here either. Even snf jobs are hard to find. Good luck everyone.

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To Nickilaughs: Congrats on possibly landing two jobs!! COOL! Curious though, what draws you more toward the St B position rather than the other position? Unit type? Pay? Benefits? Commute? Training? Your career goals? Hope that isn't too personal to ask...I am just wondering what other folks take into consideration when choosing a job (if they are faced with options) THANKS

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i live in the IE and bobby told me she could not hire me because i graduated in may of 08 and need to go back to school for refreshment course in acute care. but im a new grad.... i spoke to my clinical instructor and he said they have never heard of this....and it cant be done.

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im new to this but would like to talk to people who also had issues with bobby and pat's voice mail :) send me and email to [email protected]

pat has said they need new nurses and that there is a shortage yet what are we?

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I liked St b's because of the great benefits..t.hey have an onsite BSN and MSN program available where you go to class one day a week via television. Also, they do individual training for new grads that last 3 to 4 months. And everyone there seemed so nice and worked as a team. The little things like that matter...

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I didn't have any issues with Bobby or Pat, but I also graduated at the end of January and met their criteria. They both have been very polite and informative.

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i would love st.B too but its just the information i get is all wrong. In November boby told me i would be a good candidate but they currently had no nurses to train the new grads like me. boby also said i should keep applying and i did. Now after 3 months she calls me and says its been a while since i graduated and should go back for some clinical experience(that can't be done).st.B advertises new grad training, and hiring bonus, that is what got me interested but i have been getting the run around. dont get me wrong she was friendly but i have done all she asked, yet i cant get a straight answer.

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I appilied at St B over a month ago and had a phone interview, but that was it. I also graduated in june from CSUSB. I didn't think it wasn't going to be this difficult to find a job, and all my friends and family don't believe me. Anyways, not to brag, just wanted to point out that there is still hope, after filling out hundreds of applications, driving endlessly all over CA, and spending countless hours on the phone, I finaly landed a job! It is not a new grad program or the dream job to die for, but it will have 4 -6 wks training on medsurge, with a 40+ mile commute to OC each way, but beggers can't be picky...right? Forgot to mention that I will be making less than all my RN friends, but it is a job and a foot in the door.

Everyone don't give up, cause I know the feeling, have spent endless hours on the phone calling various hospital with everyone telling me the same. If a hospital doesn't call you back and you can't get a hold of anyone, then move on and take the time to reflect on your interview; did you say the right things? were you negative? Was there a better answer you could have gave? Did you seem too desprate for a job?

I heard from many hospitals that it has never been this bad. Loma Linda told me that they get over 40 new grads that apply for each position. The problem is that many retired nurses are going back to work after lossing their savings, and many hospitals are cutting back at the same time.

One last note, some hospitals will maintain a wait list for their new grad program, so if they do, sign up for it.

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