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

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we've noticed a lot of new grad hiring woes: many places are not hiring. we think that many of you could benefit by sharing your experiences. thanks everyone....

I just got hired at a local staffing agency...the pay is good and based on each assignment the hours are flexible and they took me based on clinical experience during college which was extensive. I know this is not everyone's ideal job but it is what I planned to do and it is income. I have discovered that some employers consider your clinical experience true experience so when you apply claim that 1+ year and it will get you in the door for an interview It works just be prepared to discuss what kind of patients you cared for, how many, skills aquired ect. It is a ray of hope on these dreary jobless days...

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Just wondering , are you getting orientation when your sent out by the agency or are they just throwing you on floor ?

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.
Where do you live? I'm trying to get an idea of where the hiring is worst.

I live in the Chicagoland area.

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there is orientation and my assignments have to match my skills based on experience and testing. I was fortunate to go to one of the most modern programs here that included exstensive clinical work and I precepted for a few months on a pre/post op unit working as a nurse with a full patient load. I know not everyone is comfortable with working for an agency but I am and I can accept or turn down any assignment based on my comfort level, I will not be in an ICU anytime soon but I can definatly work med-surg peds home health or LTC!

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there is orientation and my assignments have to match my skills based on experience and testing. I was fortunate to go to one of the most modern programs here that included exstensive clinical work and I precepted for a few months on a pre/post op unit working as a nurse with a full patient load. I know not everyone is comfortable with working for an agency but I am and I can accept or turn down any assignment based on my comfort level, I will not be in an ICU anytime soon but I can definatly work med-surg peds home health or LTC!

you think i can handle postpartum.... i'm in the same situation, signed paperwork with agency already. now i know they're loooking for agency postpartum nurses. i did my preceptorship with full pt load there... i'm tempted to jump into it, although many people advised against it. although it is mother/baby....

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I'm about to sign up for an LVN program that will cost me $30K plus living expenses while I'm not working for a year. I would love to know what the current job market is like in the Bay Area of California. I know no job is recession proof, but I would love some reassurance that it IS possible to find a good job even in a crappy environment.

I know too many New Grad RN's and Lpn in the bay area that are still looking for jobs. Some of them graduated from the best BSN programs in the bay and they have no jobs. Some of them graduated last spring! It is really competitive out here. There are so many nursing programs in the bay area. I know from where I live right now I can name 10 nursing programs that would take me no more than an hour to drive to from my home. So the bay area saturated with new grads.

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. In the meantime, I'm applying to every nursing position from here to China.

very funny but i feel you

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you think i can handle postpartum.... i'm in the same situation, signed paperwork with agency already. now i know they're loooking for agency postpartum nurses. i did my preceptorship with full pt load there... i'm tempted to jump into it, although many people advised against it. although it is mother/baby....

Did you do post partum care in school? I did and I would be comfortable doing mother/baby care but not neccesarily delivery because that is what I focused on my 2nd semester and I provided lots of patient care in this area. A lot of people are against new grads working for an agency but honestly I know nurses who have been working for years and if they were sent to an agency in another area than what they have been working they would on the level of a new grad without the same knowledge base! If your comfortable go for it It is a way to gain experience if you have doubts dont!

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Specializes in LTC.

I have the same story as so many other new grads. I started applying for jobs in march, graduated in may. Still no hospital job.

BUT...I got a job as an LPN in a nursing home the summer before I graduated with my Associate Degree. It is not my ideal job but it is a good job and I like it and I am so very happy to have a nursing job while I wait for a hospital job. The pay is not good.

I have applied for approximately 100+ jobs and got 1 interview. Recently I got a call about an on call home health nurse position. I would be so so so happy to have that job but I am not holding my breath for an interview to happen.

Every time I think I am going to give up and go back to school for something else I get a little shimmer of hope from somewhere. It's not that I don't have patience but I do have loans to pay and kids to provide for.

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Specializes in rehab.

I know what some of you are feeling! I've been having so many problems trying to find a job! I graduated December 2008 and passed boards Feb 2009. And so far have not gotten anything! I had an interview for a rehab place that hired me and "fired me" 3 days later because I was a new grad (I had told them in the interview).

Right now I have like 6 applications in University Medical Center. But I just called them to day and they said there were over 100 applicants and now I'm seriously worried that I won't get it. And I just keep wondering just what to do if I don't.

It's really annoying because I've looked at hospitals, rehab, nursing homes, doctor offices. Everywhere! And no one will take a new grad. *sighs*

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Well I just accepted a job at a ltc, the pay is good the shift is what I want, I got a sign on bonus they are excited that I am a new grad, I start as the floor RN and then begin training as a supervisor after my 90 days :yeah:this came after a day of severe doubt and then a day of prayer...God is good!

!

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Specializes in ER/Acute Care.
Well I just accepted a job at a ltc, the pay is good the shift is what I want, I got a sign on bonus they are excited that I am a new grad, I start as the floor RN and then begin training as a supervisor after my 90 days :yeah:this came after a day of severe doubt and then a day of prayer...God is good!

!

Congrats! :) God IS good!

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