Camemile

It's good to know that there are others who can relate to my experience as a new grad... but it kinda sucks that we have to deal with this!

Promptly turn me away as soon as she asked about my experience as a RN and I said that I was a new grad. I'm referring to the Director of Recruitment for a hospital. I went to a career fair that I had pre-registered for and disclosed on the form that I was a new grad! I was not informed prior to the event that we would be looked at like we have a highly contagious disease and that we should just stay home! I wouldn't have wasted an hour drive and parking fees to be told to go online and wait for GN jobs to be posted. Why couldn't they just put in the description of the event that GNs (even with a license) would not be allowed! They were very nice to me even commenting on my attire, but as soon as I said new grad... It's like I turned green or something. They could have at least taken a resume! I understand the whole economy thing and the cost to train new nurses and blah blah blah... BUT what I can't for the life of me understand is why they feel the need to treat us like we're less than because we don't have experience. It is very disheartening to go through several years of intense education/training and then pass a licensing test AND receive a professional license and still be treated like I'm not even a person not to mention a licensed RN!!! It makes me !!! They could've at least thanked me for the time I took to express interest in their hospital! Makes me not even want to look for jobs anymore ... Thanks for reading my rant/vent!

Nope... I graduated in August (ADN) with a 3.5 and very high HESI scores (top 1% in the nation), prior volunteer experience (hospital), and multiple recommendation letters... None of this has helped. From my experience, recruiters aren't even looking at your individual qualifications which is crazy! I understand the whole BSN vs. ADN and having the higher degree... BUT... I'm already enrolled in RN-BSN program and I have all the skills necessary to do bedside nursing. The BSN only helps for management! I know because I already have my course list and it's all research/management. Patients don't care if you have APA experience writing papers... They do however care if you can save their life with ACLS protocol (which I am certified to do )... Now my rant is over ... Bottom line is, I think it's the luck of the draw! BSNs will have an advantage, which they should because they've put in the extra work, but last I checked we all take the SAME test to get the SAME license! It's just all around hard right now!

Thank you all for your responses!

Hey everyone! I got sick a few days before I was scheduled to take NCLEX. I ended up in the ER the night before the test and being admitted. I stayed one week on tele and one week med-surg. I'm all better now :yeah:and survived the horror of being in the hospital (as a patient) with the help of some awesome nurses! I mean they kept me sane through all the diagnostics and terrible labs. Being the patient with more than average medical knowledge is very difficult. While I was there I was known as the girl who had to miss NCLEX because I was sick and they felt really bad for me. The offered words of encouragement and would frequently pop in my room to check on me. They were just great! I would definitely love to work with a team of great nurses like that! Here's the thing... there is a job posted for the floor I was on.The nurses did mention that once I got my license (had to pay and wait all over again to reschedule NCLEX) that I should definitely apply for a job there. Would it be appropriate to go up to the unit and personally thank all of them and let them know I have my license now? This was recent, I was d/c about 5 weeks ago and I was there for a while so I know they should remember me. Any thoughts??? Thanks!

Hey everyone! What are y'all doing to get interviews? If you don't mind sharing! I've applied online for EVERYTHING I am remotely qualified for and EVERY New Grad job I find but haven't gotten ANY call backs! I've had my resume reviewed by several people and that doesn't seem to be the problem. I do have an ADN but I'm already enrolled in a RN-BSN program. I have my license. GPA and test scores (HESI) are very good. I just don't know what else to do ... Any info/advice? Thanks!:)

Thank you guys so much! I'm just a new grad having an awful time finding a job! I know I have a lot of company in this situation it's just that I've had a few extra bumps in the road lately that have added to the stress. I'm doing everything I can think of and it's still not enough...

Sorry everyone! I changed my mind once I re-read the post. I sounded like a cry baby

Sorry!

#1 L&D, #2 NICU, #3 Post Partum... I think I just put those 3...

I applied! My husband is there this week getting things in order for our move (I'm out of state-TX) so he dropped off my packet today. Now the wait begins

Hey everyone, I have a huge problem! I was scheduled to take NCLEX this week but I ended up in the hospital the night before (Go figure ) Well... I call Pearson the next morning which was the morning of the test and they said there was nothing they could do and that I had to appeal to the NCSBN. I called them and they told me to write them a letter explaining what happened and provide something from the hospital. I had my husband fax it over to them the same day. The two days later I get an e-mail with a letter stating that they do not grant exceptions for ANY reason and that I would need to pay Pearson Vue another $200 and wait 4-6 weeks to get another authorization to test. I am so upset! Why would they tell me to send in an "appeal" and they know they don't even consider helping anyone out. Has anyone ever heard of this situation happening to anyone and if they were able to take the NCLEX without having to pay again??? Someone told me I may even have to pay the BON in my state another licensing fee of $140 on top of the $200. If anyone knows anything... I appreciate it! Thanks for reading.

glutton, I was considering going to the job fair but some of my classmates said they were told it was for experienced RNs only. We graduate next week... Think it would be acceptable for us to go without GN permit at least? Thanks!

Hello Everyone! I am graduating next week with my ADN:yeah:!!! It's been a long road! I was so excited about starting nursing school and becoming a RN... Until... I started to hear the ADN vs BSN debate and the negative outlook on jobs for new grads. I'm in the Houston area and can't relocate, but with all the hospitals in the area I never imagined I wouldn't be able to find a job! Every posting I see either lists so many years of experience required or NO new graduates please! There aren't any internships/residency programs going on at the moment that I'm aware of. I've completed the prereqs for the RN-BSN program and hope to start that in January because I do value education and want to have the highest qualifications for my job but are the employers forgetting that I will still have an EQUIVALENT license? I put in A LOT of blood, sweat, and tears in nursing school and it's almost to the point that I can't enjoy the fact that I'M DONE because I'm stressed about the next hurdle which is finding a job. Oh and the networking during clinical didn't get me anywhere as all the charge nurses and nurse managers I encountered were way too busy to even look at me let alone talk to me! Does anyone have ANY advice about where to start looking for a job? I hate to be negative but I'm not receiving ANY positive indications that looking for a job won't be as hard as getting through my nursing program ! Sorry this turned out to be so long but thanks in advance for any info!

I got my card about two weeks ago. I have the same schedule (Mon & Tues evening lecture and Sat clinical) too. They said that if there is something that comes up on your background check the BON would send you a letter. It was mentioned in the nursing information session earlier this year that they do a very thorough check and if there is ANYTHING on your record you should attempt to get it cleared upfront with the BON since the process is lengthy. You should definitely call the BON to check the status. If something is holding up your clearance you can start working on it now and it might be resolved by the time classes start. Good luck and hopefully you will be getting your blue card in the mail very soon!