Post here about your new grad hiring woes....

JakeyWakey · Sep 9, 2009

I graduated August 25th. I feel very lucky to have been offered a position on the floor where I did my final semester preceptorship. I think in this economy people really need to treat their final semester preceptorship as an extended interview. Choose the hospital they want to precept at carefully (make sure they are new grad friendly). NETWORK!

iRN86 · Sep 9, 2009

Went to an open interview house for RNs at saint barnabas today. Before I could even get past the reception at HR, the first question I was asked was whether i'm a new grad..my response was yes. I was then turned away. told me to write my name and number on the back of some piece of paper and leave my resume, and I should be called when they're hiring new grads again..which is unknown as to when that will be. so much for driving 30min and paying for parking

candilowe, SN · Nov 23, 2009

How do we are students then become actual RNs. I feel like the program I am in has taken the joy out of being a nurse and I wonder how long it will take for me to get it back. How do we go from SN to RN?

prinsessa · Nov 23, 2009

Graduated in May, passed NCLEX in June....still no job. I had to take a seasonal retail job to pay the bills. Unfortunately I am making about a third of what nurses make in my area. Plus the longer I am out of school the rustier I get

Ace587RN, RN · Nov 23, 2009

Just got hired last month as a new RN. just getting a job alone is the best christmas gift that ill ever get

DestinedRN09 · Nov 23, 2009

Well...I graduated in May 2009, passed boards in July and I am still looking for a job! For those still in school I would advise you to NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK! I started my job search in Jan/Feb 2009 and I just wish I would have at least applied to jobs while I was in school like PCA or Nurse tech or applied at clinical sites. While the economy is a huge problem for nurses, I feel that odds are against because of my limited experience.

Im beginning to get at my wits end because its 9 months out of school and I cant find a job. Im just sooo confused as to what will happen to those nurses floating out there without jobs. Now I am beginning to see residency programs that were closed in May open for December grads, very frustrating.

I currently work for a home health agency PRN doing supervised PCA visits, I was offered a position with an affiliated home health agency to do skilled nursing but I was informed that I would mainly be a pill pusher. I decided not to take it, but now Im thinking maybe I should have....At the same time, I dont want to settle.

There is hope! I've seen positions on the VA website and its great because if you are willing to relocate u dont have to reapply for a license... Also indeed.com has alot of listings.

I just continue to pray for all new nurses struggling to find that job! A christmas miracle would be a nice gift!

Bobbkat · Nov 27, 2009

I'm feeling pretty hopeless. My husband was relocated to another state a year ago for work. I'm still in our home state, finishing school, but once I graduate in Dec I'm relocating out to him. It sucks. I know NO ONE, so there's no chance of networking. I have fabulous references, GPA, graduated from a great school but can't get anyone to look at my ap to even GET to the references.

*As a note to the poster who mentioned picking the hospital you get to precept at carefully, bear in mind that some of us don't get the luxury of determining our preceptorship. I went to where I was assigned, with no say in it. Of course for me it doesn't really matter (outside of getting some more references) since I'll be working 800 miles away from the hospital I precepted at.

BKCinNOLA · Nov 28, 2009

My story echoes many others on this tread. I graduated May 2009, passed the boards in June, and am still looking for an RN position. I, too, took a seasonal retail position to pay the bills/student loans (at 1/3 the rate I would be making if I could get a job as an RN).

After passing the boards I moved from Boston (where I grew up and went to Nursing School) to New Orleans because my BF is going to med school here. Thus, my networking from nursing school and nursing assistant work is pretty much useless. The few contacts I do have in my new city are great people, but even they can't make a new grad position appear out of thin air.

I have started applying to hospitals back in Boston because I know that my relationship with my BF could survive a year of long distance (despite the initial heartbreak that would ensue) and I can make use of those contacts I have from school/work. Not to mention, once I get some acute care experience there will be many more RN opportunities available..

I'm trying to keep my head up about this whole situation, but some days I feel like I'm just drowning in automated rejection emails/hopelessness..

Katie5 · Nov 28, 2009

Well...I graduated in May 2009, passed boards in July and I am still looking for a job!
Im beginning to get at my wits end because its 9 months out of school and I cant find a job.
There is hope! I've seen positions on the VA website and its great because if you are willing to relocate u dont have to reapply for a license... Also indeed.com has alot of listings.
I just continue to pray for all new nurses struggling to find that job! A christmas miracle would be a nice gift!

You graduated May 09, how is that nine months?

MedSurgeMess · Nov 29, 2009

You graduated May 09, how is that nine months?

must be that new math

the sparrow · Dec 2, 2009

For those of you who had a senior year preceptorship, consider yourselves lucky. Not all schools offer that. I graduated in May '09 and I'm still looking. I have taken a temporary job in a doctor's office as a secretary, hoping to parlay it into a nursing job in that hospital. Everyone in my office (the nurses and the CNAs) are pulling for me, so I'm hoping these "connections" will lead to a job. In the meantime, I'm applying to every nursing position from here to China.