SouthernStudent

Is there a nursing temp agency in your area? In my area some of the temp agencies - like CSI nurseworld - will send you out PRN even if you are a new grad. It's a way to earn some money and use your skills while you get practice. Also - while you are doing that - you could volunteer one day a week at the hospital where you most want to be hired, to make connections and get experience. You'd probably only be allowed to volunteer to do "candy-striper" kind of work, but it's a way to get to know people at the hospital. And be open to any kind of nursing job, at any facility, at this point - in this economy, your first job probably will not be your dream job. Once you get experience you will be far more hireable.

Here's an option to consider - I'm considering it myself - get your LPN first, and then take an LPN to RN bridge program while you are working as an LPN. Check your local technical high schools to see if they offer an LPN program. In my area in Central FL, the two technical high schools that I am considering are basically first come first serve - so I don't have to compete against a bunch of people for limited space - I just have to apply and wait until the next class starts up. If you wait to get into a traditional two year or four nursing program, you may be waiting forever - as you have already found.