Recent grads: How long did it take you to land a job?

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2013

How long did it take you to land that elusive first job?: I work at the same place I worked as an LVN. When I was a new grad LVN I got hired as soon as I got my license for a PRN position in LTC only because the DON is a family friend and practically created a PRN position even though there were no real openings. But work was scarce, like one shift every week or 2 weeks. After 3 months I got another PRN job on my own through word of mouth from co-workers. And after another 3 months I got another PRN, making 3 PRN jobs that gave me full-time hours between the 3. I finally secured a full-time position 11 months after being an LVN when a position opened up in one of the facilities.

Did you have previous healthcare experience?: 3 years as an LVN.

When did you graduate?: May 2013, although not licensed until October because of delays with my application.

ADN or BSN?: ADN

Where did you get hired (position, state)?: LTACH, Greater Los Angeles area, California.

How many applications did you put out?: Technically, just the one at my place of employment. My employer knew I was in school and absorbed me as an RN after I obtained my license. Although now I'm applying to formal new grad positions in ICU, step-down, or telemetry with no luck. 10 applications in one month with only one return phone call and 2 rejection e-mails. In all fairness though, I'm being extremely picky and only applying to dream units/facilities. I'm not desperate in the slightest just to have a job since I already have one. I've informally been offered 2 PRN positions and one full-time position in LTC without me applying or even asking, but I'm being like almost every other new grad and want to start in acute care.

Any advice or suggestions?: From your other posts, you sound like you are not only ok with LTC, but would prefer it. That will make it easier for you as a new grad with an ADN to find a job. Most new grads can't find jobs because they are vying for coveted hospital positions and view LTC as a fate worse than hell. But in many areas, particularly large metropolitan areas, hospitals HIGHLY prefer BSNs, with some outright saying BSN only. Being open minded and flexible will save you a lot of frustration in your job hunt. Be patient as well. Even with connections, it took me 11 months to get a full-time job as a new grad LVN with no health experience.

Good luck to you OP.

sc128 · Dec 6, 2013

How long did it take you to land that elusive first job? About two months after passing the NCLEX

Did you have previous healthcare experience? No

When did you graduate? May 2013

ADN or BSN? Accelerated BSN

Where did you get hired (position, state)? RN at a major university hospital in NYC

How many applications did you put out? About 100 applications submitted online, had two interviews, two offers

Any advice or suggestions? Network! I reached out to clinical instructors and NMs on units where I had my clinical rotations and those leads proved to be more worthwhile. I also went to job fairs just to talk to recruiters directly (though there are hundreds of people at those things...).

Good luck and be patient! There's a job waiting for you somewhere out there :)

calivianya, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2013

How long did it take you to land that elusive first job? - At least half of my class was hired before graduation, including me.

Did you have previous healthcare experience? - Not prior to nursing school. I landed an externship after my junior year of nursing school and stayed on at that hospital as a CNA. Unfortunately, they were very picky, and I didn't get hired into the position I wanted at that hospital.

When did you graduate? - May 2013

ADN or BSN? - BSN

Where did you get hired (position, state)? - ICU, GA, 400 miles from home. :)

How many applications did you put out? - About 30.

Any advice or suggestions? - Don't wait until you graduate to start applying! A lot of hospitals with new grad programs take applications really early. I'd put in all of my applications by April before graduation. Some of the people I know that didn't take job searching seriously when they were in school are still looking for positions. At least in my area, hospitals are going to take you more seriously if you are proactive and reaching out before graduation vs. just letting everything slide and waiting until graduation/passing NCLEX to look for a job. I guess it looks lazy or something, but it's quite clear that people who waited are in trouble now. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to far away places! People say you're more likely to get hired where you did your clinicals, but that is not always true. I did not get the job I wanted in my area, but I got my dream job that gets me the experience I need because I was flexible and willing to move. If you are afraid of moving, just evaluate your priorities - is staying in one place more important to you than the career you may have for the rest of your life? You don't have to stay wherever you move to for your first job, you can always get your experience and then come back to your preferred area.

copeRN · Dec 7, 2013

It took me two months, I applied a lot of different places near my home in Mississippi, I did not have any experience, I have a BSN and I worked on a med surg/resp. floor.

sourapril · Dec 14, 2013

How long did it take you to land that elusive first job?

Did you have previous healthcare experience?

When did you graduate?

May 2013

ADN or BSN?

BSN

Where did you get hired (position, state)?

Public Health department, CO

How many applications did you put out?

hundreds

Any advice or suggestions?

be persistent, also finding out what you are good for is the key. I did my last rotation at a public health place, I had my MPH before BSN, and just want nothing other than public health. It took me 6 months but I am working the job I love and am excited to go to work every day.

schnookimz · Dec 15, 2013

It took me 8 months. 3 before graduation and 5 after.

ADN with previous bachelors.

3 years as a CNA and 1 year as an LPN

Submitted over 300 applications, 4 interviews and 2 offers. Although one offer was so terrible and insulting I couldn't even consider it.

akanini, MSN, RN · Dec 15, 2013

How long did it take you to land that elusive first job? One week; I wouldn't believe it myself.

Did you have previous healthcare experience? 4 years as a LPN

ADN or BSN? ASN

Where did you get hired (position, state)? Community Health Nurse Brooklyn, NY Jan, 2013

How many applications did you put out? Too many. It's tough for ADNs. I sent my resume out before taking my Nclex. This didn't help much at all! The day after I passed my exam, I saw an ad in a nursing magazine and I got called that same day. Ironically, I was called due to my LPN experience but they didn't factor that experience into my salary.

Any advice or suggestions? You have to send your application EVERYWHERE!!!

sunshyne17 · Dec 15, 2013

How long did it take you to land that elusive first job? I had an offer before graduation but it fell through when the hospital announced a hiring freeze. Took me a month after graduating to find something else.

Did you have previous healthcare experience? No – far from it – computer science degree

When did you graduate? August 2013

ADN or BSN? Accelerated BSN

Where did you get hired (position, state)? RN at LTC facility, PA

How many applications did you put out? 4 applications

Any advice or suggestions? I agree with networking with previous clinical instructors. I had two positions on deck if I didn’t find anything local through a clinical instructor. Make sure your resume is impeccable. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself. You have to stand out amongst a lot of nurses.

Sounds obvious – but smile! You have no idea how many times I have been offered just about anything – including a job – because they liked my “energy.” Find something real that will make you smile tho, nothing worse than a cheesy fake smile!!

cheethaj · Dec 17, 2013

How long did it take you to land that elusive first job?

Short answer - 11 months

Long answer - I graduated in 12/2012 and I could have easily landed an RN job at the hospital ER that I was working at in California, but I decided that I wanted to move home to Maui. It took 5 months to get my Hawaii RN license and it took another 6 months to finally land a job.

Did you have previous healthcare experience?

I had almost 2 years experience an an ER tech in a very busy California ER. I did not have actual RN experience though and that made things much harder for me.

When did you graduate?

12/2012

ADN or BSN?

BSN

Where did you get hired (position, state)?

I finally got hired as a public health nurse on the island of Molokai in Hawaii. There are only 3 public health nurses on the island because the population is only 7,500 people. I also had an offer at Maui Memorial Medical Center for an ER tech position. The issue with Hawaii is that there are way too many nurses and way too little jobs so to accommodate everyone they hire RNs to work as LPNs or techs just to get their foot in the door. You end up working for a year or two at lower wages in a job that you are over qualified for before you can even start working as an RN.

How many applications did you put out? I put out 6 applications and I would have put out more but many would not even accept an application without 1, 2, or even 3 years of RN experience.

Any advice or suggestions?

-If you were in my situation then it would probably be advisable to take the ER job in California and get your experience but I just couldn't do that and I'm glad that I didn't even though it has been very tough getting a job.

-Don't be picky and apply to all the jobs you qualify for just because options are important and what may seem like something you don't want to do in the beginning may be your best option later on.

-Don't downplay your accomplishments. Interviews are not the time for being humble with is hard for me because I am not the type to boast about my achievements.

-Have multiple backup plans from the beginning. My goal was to be a PHN or hospital RN. Plan B was to do the ER tech job at the hospital to get my foot in the door. Plan C was signing up with a staffing agency for any job that they could find me in the healthcare field that may lead to an RN job.

-Network as much as possible. Ask your parents/grandparents/coworkers/friends if they know anyone that can throw you a recommendation for a job.

-Start a linkedin account and update it with all your professional information

-Don't forget about other nursing jobs. M/S, Tele, ICU, Maternal-newborn, and ER are your typical hospital jobs. There is also public health nurse, long term care, hospice, forensic nursing, home health, blood bank, school nurse, etc.

-Don't be afraid to be a human being in your interview. Don't try to answer your interview questions like you are writing an essay. Show that you have knowledge but also that you are a sociable person and easy to work with.

I wish everyone the best of luck in their search for a job. You can message me if you guys have any more questions.

Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou