Ranting on the New Grads

hope3456, ASN, RN · Feb 3, 2014

The follow up responses "it's about location" is why most new graduates will not have positions for months. You're pessimistic attitude shows when you interview. I am not one to be oblivious to reality but I refused to allow a recession to dictate my pay. That's relative to this post, because you are what you think you are. If you think there are too many graduates I'll never be looked at until after graduation, you'll get just that. Conversely, these are the same graduates who walk into an interview with desperation and not determination, there is a vast difference between the two. I'll tell you a quote I live by, "I refuse to lower my standards because you fail to raise yours." Maybe what someone else did isn't completely applicable to your life. But, if you live in a city where there is a infiltration of new graduates, why not start early? Why not think ahead of the competition? Why not find traits that set you apart from the others? Too many of you are focused on the person in the lobby rather than the person who is interviewing you![/quote'] There are testimonies from other nurses on this site (myself included) who had to relocate to other states just to find a job in a LTC, rural hospital, ect but then once they got EXPERIENCE were able to move up into better positions and were finally able to get what they wanted in job and location. It makes a lot more sense to me than "not having a position for months." I also say this because many facilities will not even interview you if you don't have experience. But I understand it is not an option for everyone.

RunBabyRN · Feb 3, 2014

Some of us DO live in areas where the market is one of the toughest in the industry at the moment, and we don't have the option to move. That said, I'm graduating in May, and I am starting to send out resumes. I have prior experience, and I am doing very well in school and clinicals, and my resume reflects that. I realize that many places are going to delete my resume as soon as it arrives since RN is nowhere on there (yet), but I will send it anyway. I am also networking as much as I possibly can, and practically have it stamped on my forehead that I am looking for nursing work (even if it isn't my DREEEEEEEAAAAAAAM position, shift, hospital, etc). I'm casting a wide net, as far as I'm willing to commute (which is a ways, for now).

I agree about cover letters and resumes. I've been a hiring manager, and it's amazing what people feel comfortable submitting! Have at least one other person proofread it all for you. Fortunately, my program does the whole resume and mock interview with local nursing managers thing, but I'm not waiting until April to get the ball rolling. I do, however, have my husband review my stuff to catch anything I may have missed.

hope3456, ASN, RN · Feb 3, 2014

I did say I realize it is not an option for everyone. I am in Wyoming and have worked with new grads from CA and other states who were hired here shortly after ( or before) they graduated. They work for 1-2 years ( a few less than a year) while applying for jobs back where that wanted to be and finally were able to go back once they secured employment with a job that required experience. Granted, wyo offers lower pay and not as good of jobs as CA. I know it was not easy for them leaving their families but I have read that it is taking new grads in CA on the average of 1.5 years to find employment, so just a thought

SelfReviewing · Feb 3, 2014

I landed on a PCA job in a 500-bed magnet hospital before taking my NCLEX-RN. After I passed the exam, I talked to my manager if she can help me transition from being a PCA to an RN and she agreed. Unfortunately, the receiving department has the final say. To cut the story short, I ended up resigning and grabbing a GN position in a rural hospital.

Moral of the story: Big things starts with small beginnings.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Feb 5, 2014

I'll tell you a quote I live by, "I refuse to lower my standards because you fail to raise yours." Maybe what someone else did isn't completely applicable to your life. But, if you live in a city where there is a infiltration of new graduates, why not start early? Why not think ahead of the competition? Why not find traits that set you apart from the others?

What makes you think new grads aren't doing that?

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Feb 5, 2014

No. I wasn't working as a nurse before graduation. I had the job pending passing boards. It isn't about the market. It is about starting the search early. I graduated with an ASN and got hired into a BSN position. The hospital I am at has very few job openings and it takes persistence.

When and where did you graduate?

anon456, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2014

Yep. It took me about 4 interviews and 6 months to find a job. I had to also hire a professional to redo my resume. And I applied to probably at least 50 jobs, maybe more.

SleeepyRN · Feb 5, 2014

So many new grads post on this forum, "wooo me it's been two months since I've graduated and I still can't find a job".
While I sympathize with the graduates, no one wants to be faced with the fear of long term unemployment after acquiring so much nursing school debt.
But, I would advise all of you: take a good look at your resumes, grammar, objectives, goals, values...etc. What does your email address say about you? Are you using blue colonial font on your resume?
Jobs, regardless of the experience, do not appear within 1 month of searching. Be patient & proactive. As long as you're having fun at the pity party, you won't see the rewards at the triumph party.
I believe nursing school needs to require a business course for new grads. Everyone, including myself, can benefit from courses on how to make him/herself more marketable. Thankfully, youtube has tons of business courses & leaders who are willing to share advice.
In the mean time, look at mock interviews, reheorifice patient scenarios etc.

Its funny how more experienced nurses can come here and vent (and staunchly defend their right to do so), but god forbid new grads do.

SleeepyRN · Feb 5, 2014

I do agree that nursing programs should add a business course, or at least emphasize on the importance of a good resume and interview attire. So many new grads seem to think the "RN" at the end of their name guarantees them a job.

Our program did focus on resumes and proper interview attire, but I think this is actually a no brainer and shouldn't even require teaching in the schools. We're adults. Write, speak and dress like adults. And of course, be patient. The market is saturated. However, knowing this doesn't make it less difficult to deal with, so new grads come here for support and to vent....just like the experienced ones do.

RNGriffin · Feb 5, 2014

Its funny how more experienced nurses can come here and vent (and staunchly defend their right to do so), but god forbid new grads do.

You have all the rights to vent on this public forum( insert evil smile). If you are sensitive to the comments on your thread, maybe you need not to vent. I am more than happy to hear your opinions, but be prepared to defend those opinions.

Too many nurses on this forum are convinced everyone is out to get him/her. This post provided positive tools to assist you, as well are critique you!

Barbara H. · Feb 5, 2014

[h=2]RN - Med Surg- FT - Days (NO NEW GRADS) - new[/h] E-Health - Bullhead City, AZ Must be licensed in this state or eligible. Excellent compensation. Must be a graduate of an

Seeing this on a daily basis, I believe that New Grads should be permitted to vent without being judged...

SleeepyRN · Feb 5, 2014

You have all the rights to vent on this public forum( insert evil smile). If you are sensitive to the comments on your thread, maybe you need not to vent. I am more than happy to hear your opinions, but be prepared to defend those opinions.
Too many nurses on this forum are convinced everyone is out to get him/her. This post provided positive tools to assist you, as well are critique you!

I understand your point. However, I myself am not overly sensitive to comments. Though I know MANY new grads are, which unfortunately helps give us all a bad name. Quite honestly, I used to be sensitive in general as a person but have grown thick skin. I have participated in numerous debates on AN and enjoy doing so. I like getting viewpoints I had not considered and remain open minded.

To make an example out of my original point though: many new grads have come to the site stating how negative more experienced nurses can be, and that it turns the new grads off. The experienced nurses, with their absolute right to do so, defend their posts and state that it is a way of venting to other nurses who understand (among other reasons.) However, many of them can get condescending (ex. saying new grads expect rainbows and unicorns and their dream job right away, which doesn't bother me specifically because I'm not that type of new grad) BUT, if the more experienced nurses can (as they should be able to) complain/vent, then so too shall new grads. I found it funny that OP was complaining about new grads complaining.