Notes for new graduates

Nurses New Nurse

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Here are some notes (to self) on the Job Search process and some thoughts and feelings as a new grad. Please share your own!

1. Get over your anger/frustration/disappointment that the "nursing shortage" turns out to be largely overblown. Accept the fact that nobody owes you a job as a new grad and hospitals are free to set whatever criteria for employment they want. Move on and deal with the job situation as is.

2. Don't compare your situation to others. Don't get too worked up because this one said they got a job in the specialty of their choice even before graduation, and that one said they were looking for a year with no luck. There are so many different variables in play -- their location, experiences, connections, etc. Your only concern is YOUR chances and YOUR situation.

3. Don't let anyone diminish your difficulties and make it sound like if you "just" did this or that you'd find a job easily. "Just move to a different city." "Just have a professional redo your resume." "Just volunteer for a while." "Just be open to different shifts/LTC/SNF" etc. etc. Not to say that you shouldn't take any good suggestion seriously, but face it, the job market is tough and "just" doing this, that or the other is not going to assure you of a job. Don't bother defending yourself to those people -- only you know or need to know what you've done, what you're doing and what you still need to do.

4. Do something job-search related EVERY DAY. Whether it's make calls, fill out online applications, volunteer, go to job fairs -- don't let a single day go by without taking action on your own behalf.

5. Get out of the house. Go to nursing-related events and activities in your area. Maybe there are lectures, CE's, open houses, meetings, even political action. If there is nothing, start something. Call some former classmates or nursing friends and get together. Interacting with other nurses in a professional arena will get you some exposure and connections that may lead to a job. And even if it doesn't... some good might still come out of it.

6. Focus on the good that you CAN do with your nursing license, even if you're not getting paid for it (yet). Think of the difference you dreamed of making some day as an RN, and go out and do it NOW. Don't wait for life to start once you have a job. Your life is now.

7. Keep positive. It's so easy to start to feel down, regret ever going to nursing school, regret being born... well, when you're unemployed, it's unfortunately a short road from negative thoughts to depression and total dysfunctionality. You can't afford to go that route. Yes, you will find a job. Yes, you are talented, intelligent, needed and valuable.

8. As long as you have time on your hands... do fun stuff that you will never have time or energy to do once you're employed as an RN. Not necessarily expensive stuff... but the things you enjoy that you keep pushing off. I started creative writing again, which I did very little of during school.

Specializes in Progressive Care, Telemetry.

the only barrier i'm finding to applying to LTC or nursing homes is that i spoke with a NM at St. Paul and she said that i should try very hard to find a job in a hospital because if i want to apply to another internship that i didn't get into this time around they'll be more likely to hire me if i have hospital experience. definitely not knocking nursing homes or LTC...at this point i'll take whatever i can get!

Specializes in CCRN, House Sup, CCT, Unit Director, ICU.

Stop wasting your time applying online and start making phone calls! Not to HR, but to Unit Directors directly! Yes, it takes guts but that's how you'll land an interview.

I was a new grad with a high GPA, 2 BA degrees, and 2 externships. I was EKG certified, RN licenses in 2 states, ACLS/PALS/BLS, Wound Care Certified, etc and NEVER GOT ONE CALL BACK from ANY ONLINE APPLICATION. What got me my DREAM JOB IN ICU as a new grad was making phone calls to Unit Directors of hospitals. In fact, the first one I called landed me the interview which got me my 1st job :)

Last but not least, DO NOT give up hope. It will happen! Believe in yourself.

S

Stop wasting your time applying online and start making phone calls! Not to HR, but to Unit Directors directly! Yes, it takes guts but that's how you'll land an interview.

S

As a new grad, I'll do whatever it takes & am open to better ways to get my foot in the door besides just applying online. But honestly, how am I supposed to get ahold of the unit director's number? People keep preaching this, but it's not as easy as it sounds. Most hospitals/HR people will not give out information like that, most of the time it's very difficult to get past HR. I could maybe hunt down the phone number if I knew someone who worked there, but if I knew someone who worked there I probably wouldn't be in this predicament. :) I actually tried to get the email of the manager in the ER at a hospital where I want to work, there was no directory online or anything, so I asked a friend who works in ICU to try & hunt it down. She couldn't even locate in their system & her friends who actually work in the ER wouldn't give it to her.

I know every hospital is different & some might be easier than others, but many hospitals don't want desperate job seekers calling managers & bugging them, so they make efforts to prevent us from being able to. That is my experience anyway.

Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

1. Get over your anger/frustration/disappointment that the "nursing shortage" turns out to be largely overblown.

To all nurses who don't have a job this includes new grads and experience nurses. By being angry, frustrated, and/or disappointed it will slow you down. Get yourself focus enough to get your thoughts together to see what you need to do next. Just don't give up.

Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

What happened to nursing students working as Nurse Techs in the hospitals? This is what helped me land a job. I had my foot in the door.

Specializes in CCRN, House Sup, CCT, Unit Director, ICU.
As a new grad, I'll do whatever it takes & am open to better ways to get my foot in the door besides just applying online. But honestly, how am I supposed to get ahold of the unit director's number? People keep preaching this, but it's not as easy as it sounds. Most hospitals/HR people will not give out information like that, most of the time it's very difficult to get past HR. I could maybe hunt down the phone number if I knew someone who worked there, but if I knew someone who worked there I probably wouldn't be in this predicament. :) I actually tried to get the email of the manager in the ER at a hospital where I want to work, there was no directory online or anything, so I asked a friend who works in ICU to try & hunt it down. She couldn't even locate in their system & her friends who actually work in the ER wouldn't give it to her.

I know every hospital is different & some might be easier than others, but many hospitals don't want desperate job seekers calling managers & bugging them, so they make efforts to prevent us from being able to. That is my experience anyway.

That's the most ridiculous thing I have heard of. I can't believe you're having a tough time getting in touch with unit directors. Call the main hospital #, press 0 (usually) and ask to speak to (insert unit- ie: med surg, critical care, etc) nurses' station if they won't connect you to the unit director directly. It's usually pretty public information, but if they won't give you the unit director's #, call the nurses' station and ask who their unit director is.

i just graduated in may 2010 with my bsn. i just wanted to say that i started applying in december of 2009. i didn't take nclex until the end of june. and yes, it seemed way early to start applying and i didn't get any of the jobs until right after i graduated but before i took my boards. i just randomnly applied to a small rural hospital and i ended up getting hired 5 days later. i guess my point is, yes the job outlook is a bit grim but keep your heads up because when you least expect it you could land a job you have been waiting for. it is never too early to apply and remain positive!!!:D

Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
That's the most ridiculous thing I have heard of. I can't believe you're having a tough time getting in touch with unit directors. Call the main hospital #, press 0 (usually) and ask to speak to (insert unit- ie: med surg, critical care, etc) nurses' station if they won't connect you to the unit director directly. It's usually pretty public information, but if they won't give you the unit director's #, call the nurses' station and ask who their unit director is.

I don't think it's so ridiculous to be reluctant to call unit managers directly. they tend to be busy and may not welcome your call. But I'm going to make a separate thread about this.

Specializes in CCRN, House Sup, CCT, Unit Director, ICU.

What do you have to lose? Just sharing my experience with how I got a job, but what do I know

What do you have to lose? Just sharing my experience with how I got a job, but what do I know

Did you find anyone reacted negatively to you when you called units directly? How did you phrase your request when you got through to someone?

Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

Wow...thank you Janette. This was the best thing I've read in a while. So true. I'm going to print you post hand pin it to my board so I look at it everyday. It brings me back to think of transforming hardship into an opportunity and what a lesson can be.

Thank you

Jobs are there! I just graduated and got two job offers within two weeks of graduating and so did my fellow classmates! Not all but most. And trust me, i am nothing special :)

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