Seeking employment, need advice.

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Background Info: I graduated with my ADN in Dec., passed the NCLEX in Jan. and have applied to 40+ hospital jobs within a 1 hour driving radius. Of those 40+ jobs I've had two interviews. The first interview: I thought it went really well. In fact, the DON said she'd talk to HR about putting an offer together for me. However, lately I can't get a response from the DON or HR to my e-mails or phone calls. The second interview: I don't believe it went so well, but I am still waiting to hear their hiring decision.

Here's my situation: I'm becoming discouraged as to my job prospects. To keep my spirits up I continue to fill out applications. (I mean its basic math, right? I will have greater odds the more applications I have out there.) Since I'm running out of positions to apply to in this area I'm broadening my vision. And since that means I'll have to move I might as well go for broke and look outside of my current state of NC as well. Specifically, I'm interested in NY or PA. However, it seems those jobs require a license within that state to apply. I don't know what to do. Should I seek an endorsement to my current license so that I can apply to those other jobs or should I apply for those other jobs and explain in any interview I might get that once offered a job I will begin the process to get an endorsement?

Also, if anyone knows of any facilities in either state that are hiring new grads with their ADN I would appreciate the information.

Thank you for your time and any advice you can offer me.

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Unfortunately it can take quite some time for endorsement depending on the state. Employers will want you to have your license in the "other" state already. Keep reading, many people open up to other states and then find themselves with a week or two notice to get "there" to begin work if they get hired. Caution should be taken as many of these jobs can require a face to face interview which means you better be good at hopping in your car and driving or even flying in for the interview. Some succeed and it all works out. Some don't and post here about "bait and switch" tactics once they arrive, or being set up and fired with in a few weeks. What ever you do, do not sell the farm to relocate. Nobody in your "new" state will care that you moved in order to take the job. Don't sign any leases!!!! till you are very sure - which means laying out a lot of cash to live at extended stays if you don't have family/friends willing to put you up. Remember you will not be making much money...

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Specializes in pediatrics, ACU.

You are not alone! It seems that alot of us new nurses are feeling very discouraged, and it is easy to start to feel like you are never going to get a job! In my experience, there isn't really a LACK of jobs, it is just super difficult to get the interview. It is definitely an employer's market, and they can be really choosy. However, if no one is willing to hire new grads, then how will we ever get the experience? What will happen when all the nurses who came out of retirement are able to return to retirement? There will be an awful lot of nurses who haven't gotten the experience, and feel jaded.

I think your willingness to move for a job is key. I know for a fact that there are places who are hurting for nurses incredibly. When I was a couple of months away from graduation, my husband interviewed for a job in Bullhead City, Arizona and they took me to the hospital to meet everyone. They wanted me there immediately in June. My hubby didn't take the job and we ended up staying here instead where the job outlook is really poor. Also, think about Alaska. There are some programs there where you can go work, gain an interesting experience, and some of them even offer loan repayment. I think you have to commit to like 2 years, but it's a start. Good luck! Keep on keeping on, and when you feel really "over it" just go get some exercise and clear your head.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I had licenses in 4 states as a new graduate fortunately I also had license in a state which had a compact with several other states. The price of getting licenses in other states is worth it to increase your chances of employment.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

Dallas area has lots of jobs and they do hire new grads for ER and ICU. If anyone is interested in more info you can private message me. I just moved here from Chicago, but have worked per diem in Dallas area for 4 years. I love working here.

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Specializes in HH, Med/surg- liver & kidney transplant, ortho, ++.

40 apps and 2 interviews, consider yourself lucky. I graduatd with an ADN degree in June. I currently have an on-call job, had another job that just wasnt a good fit and quit after 3 weeks. At the beginning of my job search I had another request for an interview but I declined because I already had 2 jobs locked down. Here it is 8 months after graduation and I am still looking for a full time job. Since June I have sent out close to 200 apps, no further calls for interviews. This is in Oregon. Maybe you are having better luck becacuse you have a BSN?

I have decided to take the ACLS class, even though I wont need it right now because I work in LTC. But I am hoping it will catch someones eye. In March I am signing up for an ECG interpretation class and then when September rolls around it is back to school for my BSN. Good luck to you in landing that job.

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I also applied to every hospitals within my state (MD) and outside the state and luckily i got an offer to work at the Neuro-ICU Unit in KY. I started looking and sending my applications November last year and I can certainly feel how frustrating it is to find a new job for new graduates right now. The Neuro-ICU Unit that I will be working at are still hiring new graduate nurse maybe you could send an application there. The name of the hospital is Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, KY.

Hope this would help!

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I personally would not recommend PA or NY. I am a new grad in PA that graduated in May 2010 with my ADN, and just landed a job this month. I sent out hundreds of applications for jobs in PA and NY. Nobody wants to train new grads here. We are all in the same job hunting boat. :uhoh3:

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I am a recent graduate of an associate degree program in northwest indiana, and I took my boards last week and passed. I'm licensed in Indiana and I'm applying for a license in Texas, as I am relocating to Texas to be with my husband. I've started the application process, but haven't heard much of anything back yet. The items I did hear back from have told me I don't have the experience they are looking for, but I've been a nurse technician at a local hospital here for over a year. Any advice?

I need to get a job lined up as soon as possible because my husband will not be able to afford our place by himself, and I really don't want to have to resort to delivering pizzas until I get a job lined up.

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I also applied to every hospitals within my state (MD) and outside the state and luckily i got an offer to work at the Neuro-ICU Unit in KY. I started looking and sending my applications November last year and I can certainly feel how frustrating it is to find a new job for new graduates right now. The Neuro-ICU Unit that I will be working at are still hiring new graduate nurse maybe you could send an application there. The name of the hospital is Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, KY.

Hope this would help!

Hi! I graduated from a BSN program in CA last May, and still no job (hundreds upon hundreds of apps and three interviews later). A classmate of mine just recently started at your hospital and is constantly encouraging me to apply. Are they really that receptive to relocating new grads? Is there relocation assistance for new grads? I'm reluctant to relocate that far away as a single mother with two small kids, but it may be the only way. She also mentioned that RNs in KY are paid literally half of what they're paid in CA (if they can find a job). Is the cost of living in KY low enough to make this workable? Thanks for any help you can offer. :)

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Specializes in Home Health Nurse.

Mommy_RN_BSN

Where in Ca did you graduate from? I live in orange county just wondering how the job prospects are looking out this way?

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Thank you everyone for your responses. I heed your warnings and instead will refocus my search in other compact states as well as looking for additional classes, such as ACLS, which may help me stand out.

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