ShellyRSRN

Wow, thank you everyone for the responses! Believe it or not, I am not usually one to take things like this personally. I guess the combo of being new (and feeling vulnerable)/ the attitudes/ and the write ups (I was never written up until I came to this hospital) was overwhelming. I appreciate all the different views and will approach things differently. Thanks again!

Hi everyone. I have been a nurse a little over a year. My first hospital RN job had me commuting 60 miles one way, 3 times a week because I was determined to get the coveted hospital experience. I loved the hospital, the people, the unit and the hours but the commute was exhausting and the salary was less to be desired. After I hit the one year mark, I began to apply to hospitals closer to home. I was hired as a staff RN at a community hospital (similar to my first hospital) that was 20 minutes away and a significant salary increase. I work full time nights and my co-workers are pleasant enough. My problem starts once the day shift rolls around. Keep in mind, my first RN job was a day position so I understand the dynamics of the shift. These nurses are the most rude and arrogant women I have dealt with. When giving report, they sigh and roll their eyes at you. They purposely question the most minuet information to try to trip you up. They love to write people up and they flat out gossip about you. I always leave in a bad mood because the last 30 minutes of my shift is just hell. It's been 2 months. The manager says, "Don't take it personally, that's how they are." It's my understanding that this type of attitude is the norm at the hospital. I want to stick it out as I am getting married and buying a house next fall. In addition to the great pay, I do not want to job hop as it will reflect negatively once I begin to look for a mortgage. Any advice or suggestions on how to deal with this? At least for the next year.

You are right, saying "never heard from" is partially incorrect. Perhaps the more appropriate comment is " didn't get the response I wanted". Some hospital websites allow you to view the status of your application and have informed me that way that they will not hire me. Several hospitals I called refused to take my name to confirm the status of my application, due to a high applicant volume. So far, only 2 hospitals I called actually connected me to the nurse recruiter for the positions applied for and then told me that I most likely wouldn't get hired. Saying "I haven't heard from them" is an easier and less depressing way to express how grim the market is. msjellybean I would still recommend you expand your search outside of Chicago because now not only are you competing with your fellow new grads but the new grads from May 2009 who are still looking to get into the hospital setting. Best of luck with the end of your semester and the job hunt!

I finally was offered a hospital position despite my new grad status-- the problem is that hospital is 65 miles away. After months of applying to the numerous local hospitals (I live in the Chicagoland area) and not hearing anything I finally decided to apply to hospitals further away assuming I'd relocate. My plan was I'd come back to the city after about a year once I had RN hospital experience under my belt. Well, a major event recently happened in my life that'll make relocating very hard at this point ( 3 days after I was offered the job). I'll be working 3-12's on nights. My new plan was to stay at an area hotel on the days I have to work back to back (Probably once a week). Some hotels actually offer deals to people who work at my hospital so I'm thinking I wouldn't be the only person that is doing this. I'm currently not working, so a job is better than no job. I'm also dying for RN hospital experience. My friends all think I'm nuts but I've hadn't had any other offers (In addition to hospitals I've applied to home health agencies and some LTC). Any thoughts or opinions on this? thanks for your input!

I am a new grad from Chicago and I can tell you that the market is awful. I have called several hospitals and the only ones that specifically told me they will not hire new grads at this time are mt. sinai and northwestern. But I have put in 50 + apps at Chicago hospitals and I haven't heard from any of them. I started applying to hospitals further away from the city and st. marys in kankakee is the only one that called me for an interview. I may be wise to further expand your search

Anyone who recently graduated nursing school knows the job market stinks. I was fortunate to be offered a RN position with a Dialysis Clinic in July (I only got the interview I knew one of the managers). For numerous reasons I really dislike dialysis (I dislike the actual field of dialysis but do enjoy my co-workers) and still continued to look for other positions while working. After 4 months, I finally have an interview with a hospital. My question is what is the best way to explain why I'm looking for a new opportunity without appearing flaky? Is that even possible? On applications I have put "Looking for new opportunities in nursing" Is there way to elaborate on the comment that without turning off the recruiter? Thanks for any help and good luck to all the new grads out there!