Bellybear

It was not crowded at all, very smooth sailing. It was like a meet and greet type of deal, basic questions about yourself. It was pretty laid back. Good luck:) 5 weeks?! Wow. They told me 1 week, but I still haven't gotten any phone calls. Planning on calling the recruiter on Monday to follow up...otherwise I have to start looking for another job.

Really?I hope so too! I'll keep you posted. I hear that there's going to be a second interview if we get called back. Fingers crossed:)

I was at the same job fair in San Jose. They said that they would let us know this week. I'm waiting until Monday to call them back. Have you heard from them yet?

It's easy for some and harder for others, especially those whose husbands have to stay at work in the area or children, to relocate. Although I myself have decided to relocate for awhile to get some much needed experience, I cannot really expect others to do the same...we are all in different circumstances . I see your point though, but sometimes people just need to get things off of their chest...

Hi Romantic! I'm sorry to hear that you weren't able to get the Kaiser job:( I'm sure there will be something out there...It's good that you are doing volunteer work though... I did find something in a good hospital(at least from what I've heard) and in a medsurg dept...the only catch is it's 3 hours away from the Bay Area...and does not pay as much as the hospitals in the Bay Area...but, I reexamined my intentions and why I decided to get into nursing -- to help people. I'm pretty grateful for the opportunity that I was given... I will be back in the Bay though -- my husband isn't happy about the move at all:( If you are willing to relocate, even for a year or 2 years -- look into hospitals in the Central Valley, or even L.A. It's hard to actually move (I get sad about it sometimes) but, it would be a great learning experience! Try Coalinga State Hospital, Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield, San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield, Good Sam in L.A... You will get that dream job! Hang on in there:)

Hi there! First off, congrats on passing the NCLEX:) My suggestion for you is apply everywhere and make sure that your resume stands out.. There are stickies in this forum to help you polish your resume and interview skills...I had trouble looking for a job around my area (bay area). I have heard that it is actually easier in the L.A. area though -- search new grad programs on www.aftercollege.com. They outline several new grad programs available in any area you wish to look. Good luck on your job search and hope you find your dream job:)

Hello there! I was an international student before and I was not asked for a SS# in school. I did have one, but as far as I know, the school would give you an identification number as a foreign student. SS#s these days are only given if you have a job offer within school, and not given out for anything else anymore. I could be wrong though, so it's best for you to go to the international student advisor to ask for help. Immigration rules change all the time -- you can also check on the www.uscis.gov and http://www.ssa.gov..

Hi KCR411, I'm sorry to hear that you have had trouble with your job hunt -- unfortunately, depending on where you live these days, a hospital job is hard to pin down. I agree with jjjoy -- it is better to be a little more proactive with your job search. Even if online job applications are the norm these days, putting a face to the resume always helps. Even if it does not do the trick, at least you tried, right? I went to one hospital interview last month, and I was informed that being out of the job force for a year is considered to be detrimental to your job search. It doesn't matter what reason it might be -- the main thing is they want experienced nurses, and if you're going for a new grad position, you should have tons of volunteer work and training on your resume to make it stand out. Remember, there are tons of new grads circulating the market right now, fresh from clinicals. So you have a couple of options: 1)Take an RN refresher course (I was told this, although my fellow RN friends say I don't need it yet); 2)Consider LTC, nursing homes,etc. 3) Go for higher education (if graduated from Associates, try going for your Bachelor's) 4) Relocate... Remember, don' give up -- that's our worst enemy right now. Keep on going at it, continue keeping abreast with what's new in the field and make yourself more marketable...I'm sure you'll find a job in no time:)

Hi, romantic! Thanks, I need all the luck I can get:) Yes, just CE's or anything that might enhance your skills in medsurg and maternity. It's good that you've been taking classes, that surely is a plus! Oh, about volunteering for Kaiser -- I wanted to join the flu shot clinic, but does this mean I have to sign up for volunteer services in general? I signed up online, but I got the impression after doing so that I would have to do all the pre-training first... I do have a green card now, my husband and I decided to get married early or be apart for 3 years or so (retrogression)...so we chose the first option:) Big wedding planned after I start working and saving up for it --yeay! I got an email from John Muir this morning stating that they're going to call me if they decide I fit their criteria...all this waiting...:) Are you willing to relocate, by the way? There are some openings in Tri-City Medical in Oceanside CA for a New Grad for their Maternity care unit...check it out and see if it's for you...I wasn't able to get the link, but just google it and it should come up...

Hi romantic, I know I'll help as much as I can -- I see that you've actually applied to more hospitals than I have...the reason why I was not able to apply as soon as I graduated was because I was looking for a hospital that petitioned foreign nurses. I found one hospital (other hospitals did not entertain me without any work permit in hand), and then there was the problem of visa retrogression so I was not allowed to start at this particular hospital. Fast forward to 1 year and 1/2 and here I am -- with papers intact but no job in sight... I just applied at John Muir Health Walnut Creek and Concord campuses... I'll tell you how it goes, if I get a call back or something... Don't worry, we'll find something soon:) To CaliCNA: Don't worry -- there are jobs, but you have to apply fast (possibly get an interim permit) and keep busy studying. Make sure your resume and coverletter stand out -- everything's online now, so you have to take that extra step so your resume's not tossed aside. Good luck and keep us posted!

Hi romantic, I was trying to send you a private message but I do not have the privilege of doing that, so I'm just replying to your post here... I'm sorry to hear that you have not had much luck finding a job:( I feel your frustration, as I have had to wait a year and a half for a chance to start working. And I just found out two weeks ago that there are no jobs available in med surg units for staff I RNs...new grad programs are hard to come by,too, and even if there is one available, most of them have feeder schools that furnish the new grads they need... So I have decided to explore my options: 1) to relocate and then come back after gaining experience; 2) get a job at a LTC facility; 3) go for a refresher course to sharpen my skills;4) get my BSN...5) keep on applying until I get an opportunity.. Which hospitals have you applied to as of now? I'd be glad to share any employment possibilities with you if I hear of anything available...have you taken any extra classes to sharpen your skills? Try to do that while you're looking...

Thanks for the feedback!!:) igmirnor: I was looking at taking the online MSU course...it seems like a pretty good one, have you enrolled in it yet? I'm having second thoughts at this time though, because I haven't really been out of school for that long...tell me how it goes though, if in case I would need to take it... Jolie: Yes, I have been researching and I did see that most schools don't even recommend taking the refresher course until about 3 years or more of not being in the hospital setting... I think that if I did not go directly to the nurse recruiter and ended up applying online, the hospital would not have even called me back for interview, because of my "lack" of experience...got to keep on looking, I guess...or totally rethink my approach....a lot more hospitals are doing new grad programs at certain times of the year, so they're harder to get into...

From my own job hunting experience, around my area ( san jose), it's a must for you to have recent acute care experience (6 months- 1 year) or be fresh out of nursing school to be considered as an eligible Med Surg applicant. Some of the hospitals here don't consider LTC as experience (sad,but it happens) and urge you to apply to a new grad program. It's been suggested, in my case, to go through an RN refresher course (although it's only been 1 year since I graduated)... I'm not sure if it would be the same around where you live, but it never hurts to try to apply again. Make sure you have a really good cover letter and resume, and practice for the interview. Maybe even ask recruiters what they're looking for in candidates so the next time you apply, you'll be prepared. Good luck and keep me posted!

Hi guys, I need some feedback on something. I had an interview at a hospital just last week for an RN II position (which used to be entry-level at this hospital). I did not get the job, and according to the nurse recruiter, it was because I did not take any classes during the time I wasn't working (I really didn't have the money to take extra classes). She suggested that I take an RN refresher course and re-interview. A little info about my career history: I graduated last March 2007, passed my NCLEX October 2007 (thus, I still don't need to take CE's, but was planning on doing so after I renewed my license) and because I have not received my work permit until Sept 2008, I wasn't able to work right away. Some of my friends said go ahead and take the course, some say I shouldn't even need to do it as my license is still active... I would personally like to take the refresher but the fees are steep, so I have to really think it through....any suggestions??

Am in the same boat here. Just got my greencard last month and been looking for a medsurg job in northern cali. I went to this one hospital that I really wanted to get into, got my resume in and the chance to interview. I did not get the job though. The nurse recruiter informed me that I needed to take a refresher course with a clinical component as I was out of school for a year...I'm totally frustrated already, I mean I really want to start working and be trained as a med surg nurse and I can't seem to get a break. I've worked so hard through nursing school and then to pass the boards...I don't expect a medal for anything but I just wish things would let up.. i don't think there is a shortage in Northern California...if anybody has a suggestion for what to do, please tell us..

Hello there:) Try not to get too frustrated -- things will come around. I also applied online to about 5 hospitals in my area...the same thing, you cannot give application forms and resumes in person anymore. I have heard from two of them, but that was after I bombarded them with emails and phone calls. One advice I can give you -- go to the unit in person and give your resume to RN manager. Some won't take it, but what have you got to lose,right? I did this and got the job:) I think nurse hiring comes in cycles, too so it's not your fault! It's just how it is right now...good luck on the job hunt and don't give up!:)

I also noticed that you are from the Bay Area...which hospitals have you checked out? Try branching out if you can. Ask friends from your RN program if there are openings in their units. Sometimes HR does not get a whiff of new openings...not sure why. New grad programs are hard to get into this time,so if you don't get in, don't worry, you will get training if you're new anyway. Just keep on looking! There will be something out there for you!:nuke: Some hospitals to check out: SF General Hospital, Seton Medical (with new grad program)...

I am kinda in the same boat as you -- I could not get a job due to visa reasons, and had to wait for about a year. Anyways, if you have trouble getting a job (as I have), try to go directly to the nurse manager in the unit of the hospital you want to work in with your resume on hand. Remember to wear appropriate attire, too. I was able to get an interview and job in a week's time. Show the manager enthusiasm and your willingness to learn. Make sure you also show her that you have not forgotten your skills during the interview -- study up on the things that you've forgotten. Hope this helps. Good luck on landing that first job!

Don't worry too much about the exam -- most of the time it's the worrying that really messes you up... I studied using a lot of NCLEX questions. I had about 4 different online and CD reviewer questions -- Saunders, Lippincott, NCSBN, Kaplan. I memorized lab values and all the normal values. I brushed up on signs and symptoms of diseases -- just a couple. I definitely suggest studying using tons of questions. I did not really read my books because there were just too much info. Try to take the exam as soon as your ATT is sent to you either. And don't forget to relax... Good luck on your exam!:)

Hi there! I am in the same situation as you...and I have to agree that it can be frustrating at times because a lot of hospitals do post that they would like at least one year experience:( I applied online last week to one new grad program. I waited for about a month because HR told me in person that I could not give them a paper application and resume -- can only apply online and in addition, I couldn't apply without an opening! I am still waiting for a call back.... There are a lot of hospitals now that have new grad programs -- try to keep an eye out for those. You may have to wait for a few weeks to months, as there are a lot of new grads at this time (lots of June grads)... One thing to keep in mind -- some hospitals like their new grads to have no experience at all...I'll keep you posted about possible openings...are you just interested in hospitals around your area?