RN New Graduate Challenges - 2011

[RNMEDIC34]

Hello Everyone,

I am a recent graduate from the Los Angeles County College of Nursing (December 2010), and wanted any information from other new grads on the challenging, and frustrating job search. I am also an EMT/Paramedic with 11 years of pre-hosptial clinical experience as an EMT and then Paramedic. I also have experience as a transfer coordinator for the County of Los Angeles, where I have been employed for the last six years.

Yet despite all of my experience and abilities I have only obtained one interview for over 100 applications. I never thought that the job market would be this way, I thought their was a nursing shortage. It amazes me that everyone is asking for 1-2 years of nursing experience yet nobody wants to hire new grads. How do they think these new grads are going to get the experience if nobody is hiring them?

I know there are new grad programs, however these programs are few in number and typically flooded with applicants (ex. UC San Diego 2011 New Grad Program - 14 positions, 2600+ applicants). I don't know what the future will hold, I am honestly frustrated with my dillema, but I know I am not the only one.

Nonetheless I continue my job search, 2-3 applications a day, sometimes more, but I must continue. I am glad that I currently have a great job, I just want to begin my career as an RN and obtain the experience that I need to make me a clinically competent nurse.

Good Luck to you all, hopefully others will share their stories or words of advice.

[ICUSkeenRN]

I graduated in May 2010 from a college in Georgia, and I moved to Orange County a few days after graduation. I didn't go to school in California, did not yet have CA endorsement (had a Georgia RN), and knew no RNs in the area, and had no clue where to start looking, yet I managed to find a job by June 2010. Here's what I recommend:

Think of where you would like to work (particular unit, ie: Med Surg, Tele, Oncology, ICU, ER, etc) and target your resume and skills toward that field.

For example, I always knew I wanted to work in ICU, so I did the following: (And I was hired in ICU)

-ACLS

-BLS

-PALS

-EKG Cert

-Basic Wound Care (just a one day class)

-IV Starts/Blood Draws (another one day class)

-Joined ANA (American Nurses Assoc)

-Joined AACN (American Assoc of Critical Care Nurses)

-Joined ENA (Emergency Nurses' Assoc)

1) I didn't really waste my time applying to countless new grad programs for several reasons. One, I didn't go to school here. Two, I had NO connections (these days, it IS who you know). Three, THOUSANDS of new grads who went to school here were applying, some of whom had probably even done clinicals at those hospitals and therefore had connections.

2) I went where the crowd of new grads didn't go: Community Hospitals (200 beds or less). I called those hospitals (direct number), asked to speak to the unit manager of (insert floor here). I did not immediately blurt out that I was a new grad. I would instead discuss my certifications, goals (MSN, CCRN, etc), and skills. Inevitably, the question of how much experience I had would arise. I would answer honestly. I got interviews that way.

I interviewed for one ER job and one ICU job. I chose the ICU job. Although I work for a local community hospital, I went through an awesome residency. They supported me, gave me an awesome preceptor, and told me to take as much time as I wanted. They also agreed to pay for any education classes I wanted to take, such as a Critical Care Course, etc. Although they told me it would probably take me 3 months of orientation, they told me I could take as much time as I wanted. It is an amazing opportunity. Having worked almost a year for them, I have been oriented in ER as well as Tele so I periodically float to both those floors, so it is great experience. Being a small hospital, there is a small number of employees and therefore I have a HUGE opportunity to advance very quickly if I want. I also work beside some nurses who work PD or PT and some FT at other huge hospitals, so now if I wanted to, I could work for a big hospital. Also, because this is a small hospital and our care is limited, my residency was not a really overwhelming experience. I got the basic skills to build on in order to be comfortable without going through sensory overload. BEST OF ALL, the hospital is THREE MILES from my house! No freeways!

My particular hospital has hired numerous new grads in different areas in the hospital, though they don't advertise a formal new grad program. Many community hospitals operate this way.

KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW, HERE IS WHAT I'D RECOMMEND:

1) Join your local AACN, ENA, or other specialty area, and ATTEND A CHAPTER MEETING. You WILL meet people

2) Attend a Magnet meeting

3) Take a lot of classes (nurses attend those, and it's a great way to network!)

4) I have not had any luck applying online to job applications (this is just my experience)

5) I did have luck calling floors directly

6) If there is not an opening currently, KEEP CALLING the unit director every week. Send a thank-you card. Send a Holiday card.

I still actively follow these new grad threads because I feel your pain. Though I was fortunate to not spend months and months looking for jobs, I understand how hard it is.

I hope this helps someone.

Skeen

[sd-ace]

ICUSkeenRN - Thank you for the reply! Where did you do your EKG cert and wound care classes? I've been looking around San Diego and can't find a class. Is there one in Orange County? Also, I am a member of AACN and have physically visited floors with a true smile and upbeat attitude. They all tell me I have to go through the new grad programs esp. one particular hospital who doesn't hire upon recommendation and only through the program. The problem is they've only hired up to 10 new grads this year alone. I will keep trying of course and will have to pound the pavement. Time to stock up on resume paper!

[ICUSkeenRN]

I took wound care through a nursing education company in OC called AANE consultants. The EKG class I took through California School of Health Sciences. It was $150 for a very intense 3 day class. Well worth it. You can always google "wound care class" or "12 lead EKG class" and see what you come up with. Good luck to you!

Skeen

[apoppyfield, BSN, RN]

BTW there is a nursing shortage, but when there is a huge amount of workforce laid off, they don't have insurance to take care of their health needs. Census's are way down. Sadly, most people can't forgo their health concerns indefinitely and end up admitted in worse shape. A lot of RNs near retirement are hanging onto their jobs because their husbands are out of work. Hang in there, it'll come around.

[sd-ace]

BTW there is a nursing shortage, but when there is a huge amount of workforce laid off, they don't have insurance to take care of their health needs. Census's are way down. Sadly, most people can't forgo their health concerns indefinitely and end up admitted in worse shape. A lot of RNs near retirement are hanging onto their jobs because their husbands are out of work. Hang in there, it'll come around.

Very true! Just to add on, I have a friend who works with a lot of older nurses of retirement age. These nurses want to retire now, but don't feel confident leaving their units without nurses to replace them because hospitals are trying to save money by not hiring new RN's. As it stands, they are overworked and tired and don't feel confident that when they leave there will be competent nurses to stand on their own.