Flexx

Thanks for your response. I do understand that a nurses personality play a big part in the likelihood of them being hired into a new unit. Reputation and work ethic matter. I will continue to try as hard as I can.

That is the truth. I'm currently trying my best to network. Networking can save me years of applying blindly.

exactly! my ICU actually took two new grads after telling me they didn't have any positions. They claimed they were part of a "new grad program"

its just frustrating someone can spend 5 years to prove they are worthy of an ICU position. (2-3 years med surg, 2yrs stepdown). Meanwhile new grads all across the country land ICU positions fresh out of nursing school due to location, connections, or luck.. That's all anyhow like I said, i'lll keep trying

I'm 12 credits away from BSN. I should be done in two more semesters. I'm scheduled to take ACLS next month. I am on one committee, I've precept newly hired nurses, and I apart of the new nurse mentorship program. I'm active in my organization. I am lacking any professional memberships, i'll look into that By saying "denied" i'm not implying that I deserve anything. However on more than one occasion I've been told I don't have the credentials for ICU. many facilities make it seem as if to work in ICU you must first have, tele experience, step down experience, a bsn, acls, ekg certs, etc.... Yet there are new grads that get employed in ICU's at other places, sans any certs. Many of them do just fine. Complaining aside, I have no choice but to rack up enough credentials until an ICU somewhere decides to give me a chance.

After working as a CNA you should be able to gauge your feeling better

Network with anyone you can. You never know who may help you

I was one of the lucky ADN graduates. I got a job two weeks after obtaining my RN license, on a medical surgical floor. My classmates struggled to find employment. For some it would be over a year before landing a job, even then, some were only employed in long term care despite wanting hospital positions. I've been on med-surg for just about two years now. I've always wanted to work in critical care. I attempted to get a critical care position as a new grad and my attempts were laughable. Job fair after job fair, open houses, meeting managers, emailing, and even walking into HR's time after time. When I mentioned I wanted critical care, I was looked at as if I had 3 heads. All of my efforts to get even a med surg position were denied. I finally landed a hospital job after meeting a guy that was really well known at a local hospital. he submitted my resume FOR ME, and I literally had an interview within a week. My countless hours of job fairs and applications were worth nothing compared to a solid reference (no surprise). I would say I did exceptionally well on med surg. Nurses who are my senior ask me for assistance at times. I manage time well, and i'm good at skills iv insertion etc... I've decided I would make another attempt at getting a critical care position. My first try would be at my own facility's ICU. I've approached HR several times and I've been told that they are currently don't need any ICU nurses. I've applied at other facilities with no luck. It seems as if all the ICU's are looking for someone with critical care experience... I'm Just frustrated, it very hard to get a "desirable" position nowadays. For most it seems they applied at an extremely lucky time or had "connections"