What is a new graduate nurse supposed to do if there aren't any jobs available?

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What is a new graduate nurse supposed to do if there aren't any jobs available?

Especially if relocating/traveling is not an option.

I graduated in December 2012 with a BSN. I was part of a very demanding accelerated nursing program which left little time for anything but studying. During the course of the program I had to quit my steady and long term job at a dentist's office to focus on my studies full time. I took the NCLEX and passed first try! Woohoo!!

I knew it was going to be hard to find a job as a new grad but had no idea how difficult it has been. I spoke to a few of my classmates and out of 50 only three already found jobs. The three that found jobs have relatives who work at the hospitals where they got hired. Go figure! I am happy for them but what are the rest of us supposed to do to get hired too (me included).

I have been looking for a few months without any success. I have applied online, called human resource departments, asked family and friends and even meet with two recruitment managers at two mayor hospitals here in NYC. One nurse recruiter told me that they haven't done any hiring since 2011 and the other told me they had long waiting lists and were not hiring at the moment. It has been a soar experience so far. I don't want to lose faith but it has been very hard. My goal is to ultimately work at a hospital, start practicing my skills and provide good quality patient care. However, with 0 nursing experience this Job Search is getting no where.

I would like to know of any job alternatives or suggestions that you may have for a spanking new registered nurse. I am open to working in a variety of settings except traveling (I am not able to afford a car at this moment) or volunteering because I have several bills that need to get paid asap. I just don't want to start working for example at a nursing home or community clinic only to hinder or hurt my possibilities of working at a hospital later on. I hear hospitals do not consider certain jobs as nursing experience. Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Yours truly,

Spanking New Registered Nurse:nurse:

i feel your pain. i graduated in june of 2013 with excellent grades, did all kinds of volunteer work, took the nclex in october, passed at 75 questions the first try, and still no job. like everyone here, i made bug sacrifices to get through it and i'm feeling pretty forsaken at the moment.every job posting i see requires at least 1 year of experience-even home care positions. like you, i quit my job in order to get through nursing school. many of my classmates are in the same boat. the few who've managed to secure employment were either already working as CNAs or had a family member working in the hospital where they were hired (which i think is disgraceful, incidentally. the nepotism in nursing has come a real shock to me. it's like the damn mafia, and it has to END because it's just plain WRONG) i'm beginning to get very frustrated and scared. i'm even questioning whether or not i've made a huge mistake in my choice of nursing as a career.

I feel all you are saying, I also graduated in June, I had really good opportunities through the school, but my husband and I decided to relocate to south florida, and so far no luck with a job, no even an interview. It is very discouraging and frustration has taken over many times, but I feel I just can't give up, there has to be a way or somewhere I have not gone....at least I am trying to tell myself that to keep on going.... it was really hard for me to go through school with two little kids, and I did it, with honors and everything, that is why I don't want to give up........just Don't give up!!!! .... there is always an option

I'm in the exact same boat as you- finished at the end of May, took boards in July and have been obsessively looking for a job everyday. The only difference is that I had to relocate from the Midwest to the West Coast because of my spouses job. I moved to the worst state for new Grad RNs (Bay Area, CA) and it's brutal. All I do is apply and either get rejection letters via email or automatic replies that I do not qualify because I have

I hear temp agencies are the way to go and starting pay has gone down to 60k

Specializes in Care Coordination/ Insurance Assessments.

so.....how did it work out.. the not working anywhere, but at a hospital thing?

or hopefully you DID get in...?

Specializes in Care Coordination/ Insurance Assessments.

which kind of temp agencies. the only places ive found work in NYC was via a School Nurse Agency, and the annual is 47K

I just don't want to start working for example at a nursing home or community clinic only to hinder or hurt my possibilities of working at a hospital later on. I hear hospitals do not consider certain jobs as nursing experience. [/Quote]

Well there's your problem. If you applied to prisons, SNF's, psych hospitals, adult day cares, clinics that severely underpay you, government clinics, LTC, you would get a job very quickly.

No, hospital do not really respect this as experience, and yes, it may hurt your chances of getting into the hospital.

But at least one of them will hire you within 2-3 months if you steadily applied to all of them.

I worked in settings like this and, I would rather relocate than do it again.

Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
Well there's your problem. If you applied to prisons, SNF's, psych hospitals, adult day cares, clinics that severely underpay you, government clinics, LTC, you would get a job very quickly.

No, hospital do not really respect this as experience, and yes, it may hurt your chances of getting into the hospital.

But at least one of them will hire you within 2-3 months if you steadily applied to all of them.

I worked in settings like this and, I would rather relocate than do it again.

FYI you are responding to something written 2 years. The OP posted a year ago that she had found regular employment. No further posts after that.

I can sympathize with you. I have worked as an LVN in Home Health for 4 years off and on. Got my RN last February, and basically cant find a job in the specialty I want. I basically apply for every job that does not have NEW GRADS NOT ELIGIBLE. I want to be a PACU or OR nurse. I started out as a Surg Tech back in 2000, trying to get back there.

Well I basically made a HUGE mistake..I got a call from a great Hospital, in So Cal for an interview in the Emergency Department. I knew this is not what I wanted, but I figured I wouldn't get hired, and wanted the interview practice. Well I got offered the job on the spot and took it. It was very stressful, considering what my background was. Home health I was a glorified babysitter. Well I was offered 6 weeks training, and got an additional 2 weeks. (3 days per week). I was scared but I was doing ok in Pods, and fast track, until my third day on my own, the charge put me in the critical rooms. I was not ready for criticals. I wish I has some more exposure, I ended up giving notice for fear of not knowing what I was supposed to do. Stupidest thing ever, Ladies don't let your fear get in the way.. I threw my one chance away of being in acute care because I was scared and stressed. Moral is, Try to get into the ER. You can usually transfer out in 6 months, I was halfway there.. After that, I applied for Med surg and they told me med surg was stressful and bust, and that typically new nurses were not hired. Need a year experience. Now I can get acute care exp, because I need acute care experience. Now Im stuck doing Case management which I dont like.

Ill just keep applying and hope for the best, and go for my BSN.:drowning:

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