Panicking about not being able to find a job!!

roser13, ASN, RN · Feb 23, 2011

I think you can pretty much put sign-on bonuses out of your mind. Haven't seen them in years, or at least have not seen them advertised.

Look around the forums...once in a while someone will post an area of the country that seems to have a need for nurses.

MntnGirl · Feb 24, 2011

There are jobs out there for new grads but it does require lots of searching around for these jobs. I think you'll have a better chance of getting a new grad job in the more rural areas of the country, look in smaller communities and in more isolated areas/states. As for sign on bonuses, I started with a hospital as a new grad in January 2010 and there was NO sign on bonus (the year before there was sign on bonuses). I was able to get moving costs reimbursed but this was not profitable for me, it covered my moving expenses and I had not a penny left over. Good luck with your new career.

marmbrusterRN · Feb 24, 2011

I live in a small town now. The thing is, this small town is surrounded by schools that crank out nurses left and right. I just feel like I'm competing with too many other people because nursing is like the only job around here. I live in Zanesville, OH and it's not good. I would definetly consider moving if I REALLY thought I could get a full time job.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Feb 24, 2011

Start looking anywhere and everywhere. graduated last June, and in August got a job doing flu shot clinics, that lasted for about 3 months, I was still activily looking. In October I got a job doing pediatric home health, and I still am on call with that company. In January I finally got a position in a SNF, definantly not my dream job, but a job non the less.

I started looking and turning in applications a month before I graduated. I still on a daily basis check my local hospitals websites and Indeed.com.

I got the job at the SNF by going in person. I took a day and mapped out all the LTC/SNFs in my area and drove to each one and applied in person. The place where I got hired called me about 2 weeks later.

I waited on applying to the SNFs because I had my heart set on a hospital position, and I didn't get hired untill 8 months after graduation, meanwhile I had classmates who went right to the LTC/SNF and have already gotten their 6 months experience in and some have already made the jump to a hospital setting.

I too am in an area that is saturated with new grads, there are about 12 nursing programs in my area, you just have to hunt for those jobs

marmbrusterRN · Feb 24, 2011

Thanks for the reply everybody..I guess I will keep my fingers crossed. I was just looking for a little more hope LOL

DDdove, LPN · Feb 24, 2011

I'm in Ohio and jobs are not easy to find. I have been looking for 5 months now! It is so depressing ande I feel like there is something wrong with my resume or me than I talk to those I went to school with and it is the same for them. I am trying to keep my hopes up but I feel like I am in a panic state. My loans are coming due but no money to pay for them let alone pay for my other bills. I have put in resumes 100 miles away and still nothing. :uhoh3:

marmbrusterRN · Feb 24, 2011

This is all I have been hearing. My school had a mini presentation from an HR person from our local hospital and she REALLY knew how to rain on a parade! She came in and said there were over 760 applicants for RN positions and that we basically had no hope for getting a job. I was so depressed, I didn't know what to do! I still don't! I haven't really put in any apps because I'm so fresh out of school and have no hope!! I am getting desperate though already!!

WindyhillBSN · Feb 24, 2011

You have to be willing to move these days...at the hospital I used to work at, they are terribly short and hire new grads. Almost all of them are from other states. It's a dangerous facility however, because of this and one can be in danger of losing their license.

marmbrusterRN · Feb 24, 2011

I worked at a place JUST like that when I graduated from LPN school and stuck it out for 3 months but I HAD to leave when they started threatening people losing their licenses. NO WAY was I gonna get sucked into that! I feel that I am more prepared and experienced now that I could handle myself in that situation yet I know I don't wanna be in that boat again..

Nicole74 · Feb 24, 2011

Hi nurses!!
I am a new grad and I have heard nothing but bad news about hopes for getting a job. I did precepting and every nurse that my preceptor and I ran into sad there is nothing out there and it is hopeless. I worked as an LPN for a little over a year so I have a little experience but I'm just really nervous!! Is there anywhere that the demand is still high for nurses? Is anyone giving sign on bonuses? I have some student loan debts that I'd like to pay down as quickly as possible.. Please help me! I'm losing sleep over this!!!!

where are you located?

marmbrusterRN · Feb 24, 2011

I'm in Zanesville OH and there are 2 hospitals here that are affiliated together and that is where the HR person came from and spoke to my class and destroyed our hopes of getting jobs. I have looked other places but I'm really squeamish about applying anywhere because of all the negative feedback that I've heard.