No one wants to give me a chance :(

iRN86 · Sep 5, 2009

i'm in the same exact situation. no relevant experience apart from clinicals, which is making it extra hard for me. sometimes i'm even embarassed to hand over my resumes. They should have warned us in nursing school that now even "new grads" are expected to have nursing asst/externship experience in order to be considered. just cuz i dont have these experiences doesnt mean i'm dumb, cuz i really know my stuff. graduated top 4 with a 3.5 GPA. btw arent we called new grads for a reason. i still wonder if i'll ever get the chance to prove myself :uhoh21:

FuturePractitioner · Sep 5, 2009

Hey, how are ya? I guess not so good. I am currently an MA student and going to continue with a Nurse Practitioner Degree. I always asked myself "How am I going to go up against all these experienced folk who have been doing this for awhile??" But I think every job interview is the same, you bring your best out and someone will always be willing to give you a chance. Not to toot my own horn (LOL) but I have never went on ANY type of interview and not been offered the job. Here's a couple pointers, lemme know if they work or if you want more!!

How are you presenting yourself when you go in for an app?

( How are you dressed, do you smile, sound excited abou the position, etc)

How are you in the interview?

Do you ask questions that make you sound really interested in the company, did you read a little on the company?(Companies loooove that one), are you bringing out nothing but the best in you? (top of your class, typingtest WPM, clinical top grades, etc)

And last,

Build a rapport with them? If they have an upbeat personality or calm personality, match it. People like to see themselves in other people, it makes them feel more secure about themselves (atleast I think LOL)

ARRR10 · Sep 5, 2009

Hey, how are ya? I guess not so good. I am currently an MA student and going to continue with a Nurse Practitioner Degree. I always asked myself "How am I going to go up against all these experienced folk who have been doing this for awhile??" But I think every job interview is the same, you bring your best out and someone will always be willing to give you a chance. Not to toot my own horn (LOL) but I have never went on ANY type of interview and not been offered the job. Here's a couple pointers, lemme know if they work or if you want more!!
How are you presenting yourself when you go in for an app?
( How are you dressed, do you smile, sound excited abou the position, etc)
How are you in the interview?
Do you ask questions that make you sound really interested in the company, did you read a little on the company?(Companies loooove that one), are you bringing out nothing but the best in you? (top of your class, typingtest WPM, clinical top grades, etc)
And last,
Build a rapport with them? If they have an upbeat personality or calm personality, match it. People like to see themselves in other people, it makes them feel more secure about themselves (atleast I think LOL)

Excellent points!

I was in the same boat as you are right now 6 mos ago. I kept filling out applications but never received a call back. Some of the replies I got back stated they needed a nurse with experience. So my friend told me to dress up, print out a whole bunch of resumes, and go to the nurse managers in each of the hospitals in my city (at this point I was desperate just to find a job, so I would take any position that was offered). One hospital wasn't hiring, the other hospital again needed nurses with experience, the public health clinic hired a nurse with over 10 years experience in this type of field over me. Then the last hospital I went to commented on how I came in in person to hand in resumes. It showed I was assertive in getting a position. The nurse manager actually looked over my resume, and scheduled an interview the following week. I am now working with great staff and management. Keep your chin-up and keep applying.

mlok · Sep 5, 2009

I always dress up when I ask for an application and turn it in.

I even have all of my paperwork in a folder (extra copies of my letters of recommendations, emt & cna certificates, copies of my acls bls and RN license, references, and typed up questions I would like to ask during an interview if I get one on the spot) I think I am very prepared.

I just wish someone would just give me a CHANCE!!

NO ONE HAS CALLED ME asking for an interview.

Lady-Q · Sep 16, 2009

I UNDERSTAND! I wake up everyday at the crack of dawn.. get all fancied up for people to tell me that they need someone who has experience..I'm overly frustrated and I was gonna post something very similar.. until I found yours! I hope you find comfort in knowing you are not alone... and when you find a job...tell me what you did o get it LOL! Keep your head up :)

Aaron86 · Sep 16, 2009

I feel your pain.

Its been 4 months since I graduated, 1 month since i passed the NCLEX and I am on my 20th application to a hospital system I am technically still employed at (I did a nurse externship with them last summer and they kept me on as a PRN employee)

But not one phone call, not one interview. I've gotten in touch with every person I know in the various hospitals that i have worked or done clinicals in and nothing!

I'm even applying to tech positions now, fat lot of good my BSN or RN lisense have done me :crying2:

natsirt21 · Sep 17, 2009

I'm in a similar situation. It sucks and I'm rreally frustrated. I was told that I need to do a New Grad program even though I have 4 months of RN experience. Maybe you should go that route! Good Luck! My Advise....be pushy, foward and deliver your esume in person everywhere.

Tristan

Feeling frustrated.
I have applied to several jobs at skilled nursing facilities but no one has called me back. Today, I spoke with the DON of a SNF and she said they were not hiring. Although my aunt who also works there told me they were. I asked the DON "Well can I fill out an application, any way so you can have it on file just in case?" And she said I could. But I think they will end up throwing it away. While I was filing out the application, another RN asked me what position I was applying for and I told her "RN." She asked if I had any experience, and I said other than clinical... No. She said the last time the facility hired a new grad, she left for a hospital jobs after getting 6 months of experience thats why they don't want to hire new grads.
My intention is to unlimitely be in a hospital. But I don't even care at this point. If I was hired at a SNF I would dedicate at least a year to the position because they gave me an opportunity.. and no one else would. HECK, I might even like working at the facility and end up staying there even after putting in a year.. who knows??
What should I do?
Any advice?
I feel so lost.
How am I supposed to get any experience if no one is willing to give me a shot?

cindyalgonac · Sep 17, 2009

Just wondering , where are you from? im in michigan and having the same issue. I have applied for 50 plus RN positions and no luck. Feeling frustrated too....

natsirt21 · Sep 17, 2009

I'm in Atlanta, Georgia. But I'm from Toronto. What kills me is that if I was in Toronto I'd have a job in a second because I've proven my skills there. But, my husband is in Atlanta so I want to be there. I've also applied for 50 or so jobs....on the internet mostly but also by delivering resumes to clinics etc... All the big hospitals here are starting the New Grad programs in Jan/March. Rrrr.

Just wondering , where are you from? im in michigan and having the same issue. I have applied for 50 plus RN positions and no luck. Feeling frustrated too....

KAYMAY09, BSN · Sep 17, 2009

I feel your pain.
Its been 4 months since I graduated, 1 month since i passed the NCLEX and I am on my 20th application to a hospital system I am technically still employed at (I did a nurse externship with them last summer and they kept me on as a PRN employee)
But not one phone call, not one interview. I've gotten in touch with every person I know in the various hospitals that i have worked or done clinicals in and nothing!
I'm even applying to tech positions now, fat lot of good my BSN or RN lisense have done me

Well your in there then!!! you must be doing something good because they didn't let you go. I would just continue to talk with your nurse manager, continue to apply, and work as much as you can and learn as much as you can. Technically, you have experience already so when you get your chance you will be amazing!!!!! Hi I'm Katie I just joined allnurses.com. I'm re leaved to know that I'm not alone, however, I am rooting for each and every one of you. I recently graduated May 3,2009 and just passed my NCLEX September 4,2009. My dilemma is that I just moved from Florida to Charlotte and its a totally different ball game then in Florida. There for the most part they understand that you have to train a new nurse in order to have good quality nurses. Here, IDK what;s there issue; there are sooo many positions available but they don't want to fill them because if they did they would hire us. I understand not wanting mistakes and lawsuits but your could have those issues with experienced nurses too.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Sep 17, 2009

I'm in Atlanta, Georgia. But I'm from Toronto. What kills me is that if I was in Toronto I'd have a job in a second because I've proven my skills there. But, my husband is in Atlanta so I want to be there.

I'd have to quibble with you over that statement. Many new grads in Ontario are finding that they can't get a job anywhere, even with the new grad initiative in place. They might have a shot for one of the initiative positions but they only last 7 months and then they're back at Square One because the initiative has no guarantees. Some facilities in urban areas have been downsizing their workforces by not filling vacancies. The grass isn't really greener here.