How long did it take you to find your first job as a new grad

Nurses Job Hunt

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I'm a new grad with a bsn. I have good grades, good references, I passed my registeration exam on my first try, willing to move anywhere and do any job (other than mental health) but can't seem to find work. I had an interview at my local hospital and didn't get it, and I got invited to an interview at another hospital for a mental health Job which I turned down. I knew it was hard getting a job, and to be fair it hasn't been that long since I graduated. But it seems like everyone I went to school with has a job but me. I've sent my cv out anywhere and everywhere but just keep getting emails back saying they aren't hiring.

So how long did it take you? What did you do to get it?

Specializes in TICU, CCU.

I had an ICU RN job 2 months before graduating with my BSN. I was a CNA for a year and a half, did my practicum in surgical-trauma ICU, and also had ACLS. If you're willing to move, you can easily get a hospital job in Alabama (and usually a sign on bonus if you're willing to work med-surg).

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
Great advice, I'll have to check out your book ! I just have a couple of questions regarding what you said.

1.) Do you believe prior healthcare experience before getting your nursing degree helps ? For example as a nursing assistant ?

2.) When giving an answer for a weakness in an interview, are you suppose to turn it into a positive ?

I have been told different things and would like clarification.

Thank you so much, I appreciate any feedback ! Happy new year !

Prior experience is mostly helpful when used as a way to establish contacts and network. If you pick the hospital you want to work in as an RN and work there as a CNA, you get to demonstrate your work ethic and reliability...and at hiring time..you have insider advantage :)

Yes, always turn a weakness into a positive- you must prepare for this. Avoid cliches such as "I'm a perfectionist" Make it meaningful in order to stand out. Tons of examples in my book!

Best wishes :)

Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I graduated within the last 2 years. I was able to be offered 2 jobs before I passed my NCLEX. I feel very blessed to have had those opportunities.

My first offer was at a SNF in need of lots of new staff. I was working there as an LVN at the time.

The other offer was in an acute hospital. I networked with former classmates who told me about opportunities for new grads in this hospital on floors we had done clinicals in. I applied online and went in person to express my interest. I've been working there ever since.

Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

I've finally got another interview for a job I really want in 2 days.

In my last interview I didn't do that great on scenario question, any advice on common questions or condition or emergency situations that I should research and prepare for?

Last time I got a question your patient is suddenly having difficulty speaking what are your first steps. And they wouldn't give any more info, like other symptoms or why the pt was there in the first place. My first thought was stroke but then they kept asking me what next for about 5 minutes after each answer I gave and I don't think I answered it correctly. Just want to be super prepared.

It absolutely is who you know ... which I don't agree with. I had a classmate who's mom was head of HR at a local hospital and got her and two other classmates of mine jobs. Good for them, I just couldn't do it. My bf said reach out and see if they can get you a job, you have applied there so many times and I just couldn't do it. I don't know if it was stubbornness or pride .. I just felt like I deserved it myself without help. It's interesting to see on here different parts of the US and the job market. Seems like there are a lot of new grad programs down south and in California and it's barebones in the northeast where I am from. Good luck to you, I know how hard it is !

Thanks! Yea I it's so frustrating! I agree it felt good knowing I got the job purely on my own merit. Yea depending on where you live is definitely a factor. I had friends who moved to PA and NJ and got jobs pretty quickly, but if you plan on applying in NYC you most likely will be waiting a good 6 months. There's a lot of big name hospitals here that everyone wants to work at and the competition is so much harder. My hospital even had a GPA requirement to weed out applicants. New grads could only apply with a 3.5 or higher it's nuts. And thanks! Orientation starts next week I'm very excited! Good luck to you too!

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