mcbrinson7

I also ended up working at a LTC facility b/c it was the only place that would hire me as a new grad nurse. I lasted 7 months then went PRN. It was the worst job I have ever had in my entire life and nursing is my 2nd career. I was initially in admin working for government contracting companies. I went into nursing after working w/ people whom had PhD's and wanted to have a "career". Wrong. After seeing numerous people get mistreated, fired and resigned was just plain horrible. The new grad nurse that was in the same orientation with me quit after only 4 months. I mean I got written up for not clocking in and out from break when it was a new company-implemented policy. They could not have just given me a warning! No, they wrote me up! The long term care facility kept implementing all kinds of rules and regulations that just seemed unfair and always put employees at odds. In addition, I didn't get paid nearly as much as my last job. To them, all the employees were just another number, expendable and replaceable. I would like to work some where where I felt irreplaceable and recognized for my blood, sweat and tears like the other jobs I have had previously. The headache wasn't worth it to go in every day to get experience. Before getting the job at the LTC facility, the requirement was atleast one year experience for a new grad nurse with an ADN at most hospitals. Now in my search, I have been seeing BSN preferred w/ 2 years experience. There was no way I could work at that LTC facility for 2 years getting paid how much I was for experience. My goal now is to go full-time to get my BSN and hopefully once I graduate with a BSN, I can be more marketable. Hopefully in a year, the market has also turned around in my favor. Wish me lot of luck! B/c it looks like at this point, I need it!!!!

Hi, I am also a new grad w/ no experience and wanted to know how I can get a fellowship with INOVA? Thank you so much!

I heard that INOVA is not hiring any grads period at this time even if you have passed the boards. I have not seen any posts on any hospital website in VA for new grads. I have seen posts in Maryland and Virginia. Good luck to you on your search!

Just an update on me (mcbrinson): After having my classmates run around trying to see if their current employer hires new grads (which they don't; they have a job b/c they were a LPN before becoming a RN); classmates asking their friends if they know of any one hiring new grads; a kind fellow RN assisting me with my job search through this post; a friendly grad RN lending her support and sharing her personal job search experience; countless searches for jobs on every hospital website in the Northern VA, Maryland and DC area - I finally have a job! One morning, I took the local newspaper off the curb looking to cut some coupons to save $$$$ and found an ad for a job fair, the same day! I dropped the children off with my nephew and with my cover letter and resume in hand - I landed a job at a LTC facility!!!! I am blessed that it is about 20 minutes commute for me! I thank everyone for their support and assistance (you know who you are). I doubt I would have kept my sanity without these people. My hopes is to learn so much and get my one year experience so I am not a new grad RN anymore. For the upcoming RNs graduating next month with an ADN and no nursing experience: I hope you make contacts with the heads in your department that you are currently in clinical rotation with or that you did a Summer externship with. You have better chances getting into those departments. I hope that more positions open up for you all. I know the hospitals are taking the RNs with BSNs over the ADNs. I know the search will be long and hard, but you will get through it! Send me a private message if I can help you in any way! "I'm OUT!" - mcbrinson

To Cynlopez, The Career Fair was in Maryland this week; I found the information on nurse.com. I did not go but I think it was on Tuesday. Good Luck to you, mcbrinson

Hi 2bTraumaRN2008, I received your message. Thanks, I just submitted my application for that position and for the night shift position in Pulmonary at Valley Health in Winchester. What is your shift like? What time do you have to leave your house to get to work on time? Thanks for all the help, mcbrinson7

2bTraumaRN2008, I have been trying to send you a private message but found out that b/c I am a new member that I do not have the capability. I have applied to the hospital in Front Royal and have not received a response. I will apply to the hospital in Winchester. For now, I am hoping to get a job before summer rolls around. I am going to a Career Fair for nurses (graduate nurses welcome) next month in Maryland. I have looked into Children's Hospital in DC and they have a lot of openings for new nurses however, I would have to apply for a DC license which costs around $200-something. I apply/check for openings every day at Fauquier hospital, Prince William, INOVA and Children's Hospital but nothing yet. Thank you so much for the info! mcbrinson7

Good Luck to you. I know someone who moved to Hampton Roads last year and was a new grad. She could not find a job whatsoever even after searching for 3 months. She told me it was really tough out there. So just take your time and know it will take awhile before something comes up.

I graduated in May 2009 and our Nursing School's administrative assistant gave us all the information to apply for an ATT. She even told us not to apply until after April 1st. She also sent out the transcripts to the VBON. I remember I got mine in June and people were signing up to take the Boards in July. There were no fingerprints required when I turned in my application. I hope this information is helpful.

I took the Spanish for Healthcare workers class at NOVA too and it was very hard for me. The class said that you did not need prior knowledge of Spanish but the class went quick. By the middle of the class, the teacher expected you to turn in reports in Spanish. Honestly, I did not know how I passed. I learned a lot of words and phrases so that was good. I also kept the textbook to refer to when I start work.

Please let me know what you decide. If you decide the night shift, please let me know if you like it. I hope to work the night shift one day. Thanks.

A little update on me! Still no job not even an interview I have widened my search to hospitals about an hour away. I have tried all the long term care facilities around me and beyond but no one is hiring new graduates at this time. Hopefully, with graduation season coming along - more new grad positions will start to open up! Keeping my head up!

Hi LunahRN, Thank you so much for the advice. I looked on their website and they have so many openings. I will put in my application ASAP! I am looking at the hospital in Front Royal, which is closer to me than the hospital in Winchester. Thank you again!!!!! :) And wish me luck!!!!

Thanks for all the advice. I have widened my search for a job and have just been applying to almost anything. It really helps to know there are still people out there that care. :redbeathe

Hello everyone, I graduated from Northern VA Community College in May 2009, passed the NCLEX-RN in December 2009 (I waited so long to take it b/c I had that option) and now I am looking for a job and cannot find one. I live in the Manassas/Gainesville/Haymarket area so I have been looking at Prince William hospital, Fauquier Hospital, Potomac hospital and INOVA hospitals websites and cannot find anything for new graduates. I contacted the human resources offices for all the hospitals through email/calls and Potomac hospital says they are not hiring new grads, INOVA says to check the website, Prince William says to check their website and Fauquier says to check their website. Everyone keeps saying you have to go to the human resource office in person but I do not have an appointment, so I am turned away every time. Home health care agencies say I do not have any experience b/c I was not a practicing LPN before so they will not hire me. It is so disheartening when you worked so hard through nursing school and you graduate :), then you have to study for hard for the NCLEX and you pass :) and then you think the hardship is over and you look for a job and keep getting turned away! I feel so discouraged b/c I feel all the hard work, determination has lead me to this point and now I can not get a job! I mean, the reason why I went through all of that was to be a nurse and now I am a nurse, I can not find a job! I need a job really bad; can anyone give me advice, point me in a direction, give me some encouraging words, any thing???? PLEASE!!!