gs_rn

I'm currently enrolled in the MSN/FNP program at Chamberlain and I have one year left. I'm nearing my clinical rotations. The part that I find very frustrating is looking for NP or MD to follow as it has to be in an outpatient setting. Perhaps the fact that I live in Portland, OR makes it even harder. I did earn my BSN through Chamberlain also in Addison, IL, graduated in 2010. I have to say, it was a hard program but I learned a lot.

Thank you Rob72! I have saved these sites for when I start training. After my interview this morning, the HR director immediately called me back to set up a second interview with the Primary Investigator/Founder of the Clinical Research firm on Monday! I am so excited! I'm so glad for allnurses.com! I have received a lot of information and resources from other nurses here, I can't thank this website enough.

@ Outcomesfirst: Thank you so much for this handful of information. I have an interview for an independent research company tomorrow, I doing my homework. I hope I'll be able to impress them when they see that I have come prepared. :)

Thank you! I am definitely keeping my options open, I've moved from Illinois already so a couple of hours away from So. Cal shouldn't be a problem. :)

Well, the people who graduate before us got a job....EVENTUALLY. Lol. So, I suppose it's only a matter of time right? Have you tried searching on Craigslist? I'm finding a lot more covert jobs there because employers find it cheaper to advertise there than other job search engines. Try to see if you get lucky there. Oh, and try RNinsider.com & RNwanted.com. It's an online career fair, so you can look for job leads w/o having to leave your house. Unfortunately, because of the job market, many hospitals are very selective. I've applied to a couple that have obnoxious requests like must have a GPA over 3.20, personal statements, 3 letters of recommendations, school transcripts, cover letter, etc. and then a 300 personality questionnaire at the end. Thank goodness, I got everything they wanted but having a root canal done might've been a better option. :) I understand why hospitals are selective, I mean there's a lot of nurses that leave once they get their one year experience and it costs as much as $50k to train nurses. So those people who like to jump from one hospital to the next kind of makes it harder for the rest of us. Anyway, best of luck and happy job hunting!

Hi Chuckster! It seems like the job market for new grads are the same. Even in IL and my friend in FL are having the same issues. They're all competing with nurses who graduated before and after us. Thank you for the input on the drug companies, I am looking into a couple in my areas right now. Usually they do have nursing jobs for clinical trials or whatever. Well, the way I see it...we survived nursing school and passed the NCLEX! At least, the majority of the hard part is over. :) I want to go back to get my Masters only because the job market is tough and while waiting for opportunities to pop up, I'm increasing my knowledge base. Plus, in the long term Masters will open more doors for me if I ever decide to go into a management position or teaching, etc. Best of luck to you too on your job search! :)

Thank you! I have gone to a lot of career fairs, open houses, and online career fairs and volunteer work to network and market myself anywhere and everywhere. I am not looking into getting any travel job at the moment. I realize that I need at least 1 year experience before I can do that. I am just looking into going back to school to get my Masters while looking for an RN job because I don't want to lose my skills, so I'd rather increase my knowledge base.

I graduated in Illinois in October 2010, then received my Illinois RN License in January 2011. I just got my California RN license in March 2011 because the licensing process took over 2 months. So, I really just started looking for about a month for jobs here in California, with very few prospects. I am working my way up to North & Central California. I am thinking of Ojai, Sacramento, San Francisco, or Bay Area. I thought about moving back to Illinois but even my classmates are having a problem finding jobs there too and they have been looking since October.

Hello all! Like many new grad RN's I am having more than my fair share of difficulties in getting a job. I have applied to many hospitals, pharmacies, managed care (HMOs, insurance), nursing homes/LTC, correctional facilities, blood donor centers, etc. I have left no stone unturned, not to mention, I even tried applying to Alaska and joining the military. My background: RN, BSN w/ Cum Laude Holds both IL & CA RN licenses Certified in BLS, ACLS, NIH Stroke Scale Extensive Pharmaceutical experience No CNA experience, but have completed 640 clinical rotation hours. Unemployed since graduation in October 2010. American Red Cross volunteer. Open to any nursing positions that will allow me to gain experience and/or further my education. My dilemma: #1: Due to lack of work, I am contemplating of going back to school to complete my Masters. My school is offering MSN/MBA program (that seems to be the only Masters program that does not require the student to have any hospital experience). Does anyone know of any assistance programs that I can apply to help me pay for my Masters program, while looking for an RN job? #2: Does anyone have any suggestions or advice as far as nursing job alternatives that I can look into to get some education or experience so I can get my foot in the door? I have thought about getting certified in Case Management, but that requires money and hospital experience. I am thinking of nursing research i.e. clinical trials, pharmaceutical, private labs? Eventually, I want to get my PhD in Nursing. Thank you in advance for your help!