panicking about not finding a job :(

[RitaNP]

Hello....I had a question to all the nurses who were able to find a job right after finishing the program. I will be graduating December so i have 4 more months until I graduate and I have started panicking because I'm scared that I wont be able to find a job....I really need some advice....I want to find a hospital job now so that when I graduate I can work my way into having a job as an RN...I applied online for CNA positions and still haven't heard anything from anyone I Keep getting rejected....What should I do????....any advise would help...what hospitals should I apply, how should I apply (just online???).....

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

If you happen to be in Oklahoma or Kansas, send me an email. Since there are at least 48 other possibilities (as a US citizen, assuming you aren't "elsewhere"...), start looking now. If you can physically/emotionally bear the effort, try for a nurse-partner (or whatever your loaction calls it) position. Soon-to-be grads can hire in, contingenty, and work as a CNA/AUA, but (generally) for a bit more, then transition to the RN role after boards.

If you're interested in research, I can offer a couple of other thoughts...

Good luck!

rcox1 AT ouhsc DOT edu

Edit: some of your best opportunities may be your clinical sites. Applying as a CNA, it may be held against you, if you note you're a nursing student- they'll be looking to replace you-in the CNA role- before you're much help to the unit.