Resumes, recruiters, real life!

[SpunkRN]

I am a new grad RN with an associates degree looking for employment in the Philadelphia area. I think I have sent out near 100 resumes with not a single interview. I have spoke to a few recruiters and I have been told to look into nursing homes, which I have, only to be told that I do not have enough experience for them either. Hmmm..I have also been told to beef up my resume, but with no experience I'm not sure what they are looking for... so, you see, I am at a bit of a loss and feeling super inadequate. I have experience in health care management, staffing, customer service etc. I am a hard worker, fast learner but can't seem to get an interview!! Help!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Welcome Spunk to AN!!!

In the Philadelphia area, the "BSN preferred" is the "rule"....unfortunately.

There are TONS of experienced nurses and new grads, a few hospitals have hiring freezes, and many are building, but are waiting until 2014 to make the jump to hire. It took me over a year from my last nursing semester to start a job as a new grad, however, the opportunity that I had had a reputation of not having a great transition for new grads...they are still going through growing pains-so I moved on to another (and more better) position; I was a LPN for 7 years, and it still took me a year to gain employment (I have a BSN). It takes about 1-1.5 years to get a job as a BSN...about 2 years for ADN...I have 2 childhood friends who had got their ASN...it took about 2 years for one to be hired into one of the Public Health Clinics in Philly; one left the area, went and got experience in VA, and is at a new hospital in Montgomery county; it took her 18 months. I know another co worker who had 11 years LPN experience take 2 years to get a job (ADN)

Most places hire new grads during a certain time period; usually Feb-March (for Fall Grads) and August-October (for Spring Grads)...so they may have already hired for the season, perhaps. That doesn't mean they are not looking for their next candidates either...people retire, leave, etc.

The most I can suggest to you is to look into tweaking your résumé. You can start with a functional résumé perhaps to highlight significant clinical experiences in school and highlight your past experience as well.

In the meantime, try to get some experience; perhaps doing flu shot clinics, assisted living facilities; keep looking into nursing homes. Network with recruiters, especially through LinkedIN. Try to see if one will give your resume a look over-I had one do this at one hospital, and I now have two recruiter from the same health network that I network with. I just connected with another one at another hospital network on LinkedIN. Networking is key. Sign up with local hospitals talent network online and keep checking weekly for new grad positions. There are hospitals that do hire ADNs...it just take longer. Cast your net wide, and keep trying.

[zoey88]

I agree, im a new grad (ADN) in nyc so i know what you are going through. I sent out over 100 applications up to an hour away from where i live. I finally received 1 interview and a job offer I accepted as a School Nurse. It isnt ideal, but its a job. I would say redo your resume, and don't be picky take what you can get. Also when you send out your resume add a cover letter or if you are sending an email describe why you fit the position. I did that and landed this interview i completely changed the way my resume looked. I am also enrolled in an RN-BSN program so that may have helped. Good Luck!