Once again...New Grad Jobs and venting

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Ok....so as we all know the job market is not the best for New Grad RN's. I currently graduate in April as Valedictorian and passed the NCLEX 2 weeks after graduation. I am lucky enough to be able to work when I want as a nurse for a private practice MD, as they are aware I am seeking full-time employment. So of course, the hospitals only want experienced nurses. I have had the opportunity to go to 3 interviews, 2 for Hospice Case Managers and 1 was for a surgery center I found on Craigslist (they were doing walk-in interviews, so I figuered I would have a less chance of being told no up front).

I know I don't have much to gripe about, but this is my problem. It seems to be that the students who flaked off in class, went to clubs instead of studying, and just got by are getting all the nice positions. I'm talking about ER, ICU and OR (which is what I really want and precepted in). Im beginning to feel as if hard work and dedication does not pay off. I should have spent more time in nursing school socializing instead of studying. Has anyone else come across this?

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Specializes in Surgical Trauma ICU.

10% of getting a gn position is hard work and dedication. 90% is working as an extern during school, networking + timing. You may have worked harder but pehaps they worked smarter by building relationships prior to graduating.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I did all of the above and still do not have a job. God is good and he will send one soon.

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Specializes in Emergency, Administration.

Do you know for certain that the students who socialized often didn't have good grades? I had a great social life throughout nursing school. I also had a fantastic GPA and passed the NCLEX on the first try. I definitely missed my fair share of lectures because I am a self-teacher when I want/need to be — no need to go to lecture when I know the material already or can easily teach myself.

You don't have to choose between being a good student and being social. Being both has helped me immensely during interviews when making small talk. I had no idea so many nursing recruiters like going to musicals and baseball games, let alone taking a few days off to go camping in the foothills and eating at "that cute little Italian place on Spring Street."

Doing more than just school work shows well-roundedness, in my opinion.

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I know exactly what you mean. It all seems to be about "who you know" and not necessarily your performance in nursing school. Kinda wish someone would have told me this a long time ago so I could have spent my time getting to know important people and not studying ha.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Both matter. It won't matter who you know if you are a slacker; that shows through too easily. But anyone who is a reasonably good student with reasonably good personal skills is going to be ahead of a stellar student without connections every single time unfortunately. "Who you know" is not a new thing. Networking seminars are held all over the country to teach people the importance of building relationships in their professional lives and have been for a long time. Building relationships is very much the key to advancing one's career. This is a lot of why they say first impressions matter. Sometimes your connection is someone you only met once or twice, usually through another connection you already built.

It is great to be an excellent student, but part of being well rounded is also the ability to pay attention to things that are not clinical; mainly, to learn and interpret what social skills, expectations and relationships will lead to potential opportunity down the line...and then to build those bridges. You never know when someone you meet professionally may be the person who turns the tides for you.

Not fair to be upset with folks who were able to do this and still get through school effectively. Both require active involvement and a degree of practiced skill. I doubt very much those who you are envying just slacked through school and then magically landed in the ICU or ER. Life doesn't work that way, certainly not for multiple people at one time.

I wish you the best of luck. Keep working, not only at finding a new position but at building relationships, even with those turning you away. Make a lasting positive impression both with your exemplary scholastic achievements but also through personality, confidence, enthusiasm and genuine interest.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
I know I don't have much to gripe about, but this is my problem. It seems to be that the students who flaked off in class, went to clubs instead of studying, and just got by are getting all the nice positions. I'm talking about ER, ICU and OR (which is what I really want and precepted in).
I don't really understand how THEY are YOUR problem. From the accumulated wisdom of my 45 years I'd suggest that you might find a happier path through life if you don't let other people's good fortune bother you nor to derive joy from their misfortune or just desserts.

Im beginning to feel as if hard work and dedication does not pay off.
They don't always - particularly in the short run. Longer term, though, they generally do. Not always, though. I have come across a number of folks in my life whose success seems to far outstrip their diligence. Hence the ubiquitous "life isn't fair."
I should have spent more time in nursing school socializing instead of studying.
You know this isn't true. You did what was right for you... you had integrity and honored your commitment... to your school, to yourself, and to your future patients.

However, don't underestimate the value of exceptionally strong social skills - which are, of course, derived in part from socializing.

Of course, be thankful that you have even the work that you do.

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Thanks for your responses. I do know for a fact that these other students were flaking on subject matters (admitting to never opening their books, posting their recent partying pics on FaceBook, etc). Of course, it may have been that some of the instructors were too lenient (ie: lecturing content to pass exams, so you didnt have to read the book, just take notes). I never wanted to be THAT student, it would have weighed heavily on my mind. So I read and studied instead.

I recently took a Case Manager position for a Hospice and start on Monday. I am extremely excited and I know I can learn much from the experience. Sometimes you just have to vent, especially when you're trying so hard and feel like you're doing the RIGHT thing and it just doesnt matter. I just hope that the students who received the critical care positions really learn, provide excellent care and become excellent nurses. Only time will tell.

Thanks again!

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Specializes in Emergency, Administration.
I do know for a fact that these other students were flaking on subject matters (admitting to never opening their books, posting their recent partying pics on FaceBook, etc).
Congratulations on your new job! That said, it may benefit you to not be so judgmental of your peers. I didn't even buy the books for the final two semesters of nursing school (let alone open one...) and still got straight As at a very competitive university, and you betcha my Facebook had photos of me at bars and parties (though I have the photos link disabled so no one can see them ;)). That doesn't make me a flake, just as it doesn't make your former peers flakes. It means they can teach themselves using other means and enjoy having a social life outside of study groups. Heck, time management is by far one of my best attributes! :up:
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Thanks for your responses. I do know for a fact that these other students were flaking on subject matters (admitting to never opening their books, posting their recent partying pics on FaceBook, etc). Of course, it may have been that some of the instructors were too lenient (ie: lecturing content to pass exams, so you didnt have to read the book, just take notes). I never wanted to be THAT student, it would have weighed heavily on my mind. So I read and studied instead.

I recently took a Case Manager position for a Hospice and start on Monday. I am extremely excited and I know I can learn much from the experience. Sometimes you just have to vent, especially when you're trying so hard and feel like you're doing the RIGHT thing and it just doesnt matter. I just hope that the students who received the critical care positions really learn, provide excellent care and become excellent nurses. Only time will tell.

Thanks again!

I hear ya, Nicole2010. there were definately those types in my class, and they STILL think they are just going to walk into a job without working at it. i tried to tell them for a long time how hard the market was out there, but they didn't listen. Later i figured, fine, I will get your job then! some people are simply clueless and naive about life and the world. And if they do walk into a job without working as hard as I have at it, I will be just as ticked as you are. BUT the one thing that I remember is that I never have to see most of those flakes again (unless one of them ends up being my charge someday which will make me want to vomit). I am going to do the best I can, thats all I can do. I am not concerned about them. Never really was.

Congrats on your job. Put the past behind and focus on the patients ahead of you that are lucky to have you.

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Those students must have meet the criteria for being RN's, which makes them qualified to seek employment as such.

Keep trying, wish you luck :)

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