So say you pass NCLEX and can't obtain a new grad job right away what should you do?

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Do you just get a job anywhere even if it's totally unrelated to nursing? Or do you work as a CNA or unit secretary? Or do you go to longterm care and try to get a RN job in a nursing home? I mean what should you do when you absolutely need to work? Are any of these going to hurt your chances as you're applying to new grad positions in the future? Has anyone had to do any of this, and were you successful in getting hired as a RN at a hospital later? I absolutely need to work I can't just sit at home every day filling out applications for RN jobs that i never hear back on. It's consuming my life and my happiness.

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Sadly I am in this position also. I graduated in May 2010 but I was lucky to find a RN job in a LTC facility in November but I just got fired from this job last week for something I think was kinda unfair. Now I am back at square one and I am afraid also I won't find anything. I try to apply for other jobs in hospitals such as a CNA or what not but no call backs. For me I'm just going to get a job in a store somewhere and pray I find something as an RN.

I would suggest looking at your state gov't website and look for nursing jobs. I am looking into that and am hoping for the best.

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Specializes in Med/Surg Nurse.

Sorry about your dilemma, you'll need to look at your states' rules regarding RN's working in the CNA role, some states do not allow RN's to work below their license. I think you should take any RN position you can get, I don't think working in a nursing home will 'ruin' your chances of getting other RN jobs in the future - any experience is good experience. Are you able to move for your job? This will increase your chances of getting a New Grad RN position. Overall, this is a tough time for New Grads to get jobs, to train a New Grad RN is a huge cost for a facility and at this time there are many experienced RN's to fill the positions, which is the cheaper route for the facility than investing in the New Grad training. I was able to find a New Grad RN position in a hospital in January of 2010 (graduated in December 2009) but I did have to move 1,000miles from my home. If you can move try looking in more rural areas where the need for RN's is higher than in urban areas. A few suggestions on where to look for jobs online include IHS (Indian Health Services), Public Health Commissioned Corps, USAJOBS.gov, your states (and other states if you can move) Department of Labor sites, your local Public Health Department, or your State Health Department. Also, make sure that you have an awesome resume that highlights all the good things about you; you need to let employers that you are the best person for the job. Good luck with your journey, you will find a job one day, it may not be tomorrow or next week but it will happen.

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I just moved over 1,000 miles from home.....unfortunately went for a rural area to urban. Had to move with my husband to DC where he is stationed. I have lived in MO my whole life. Wish I could stay there almost all of my class have found jobs in the KC area. I've looked into state and federal jobs already. I will probably end up going to work in longterm care....but am worried about that being my first experience. I've worked in longterm care before as a CNA and I feel as a new RN it would be a better learning experience to be in a hospital. I feel like later hospitals wouldn't count that as experience.

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You do what you have to do. I spent an entire year looking for a job before I found one (graduated may 09), then lost that job just 4 months later. Now I'm back looking for a job again. I've also started to apply for part time job doing anything, dishwashing, cashiering ect. It sucks but that seems to be life right now. I haven't applyed for CNA jobs because having an RN license means that I and the facility could be liable if I do something wrong. I worked to hard for the to throw it away. Ironiclly I worked so hard I can't even use the stupid thing :uhoh3:

Hopefully so this "anti-new grad" thing will go away and will all be in demand again! Good luck:twocents:

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Specializes in (future hope) Genetic Nursing.
You do what you have to do. I spent an entire year looking for a job before I found one (graduated may 09), then lost that job just 4 months later. Now I'm back looking for a job again. I've also started to apply for part time job doing anything, dishwashing, cashiering ect. It sucks but that seems to be life right now. I haven't applyed for CNA jobs because having an RN license means that I and the facility could be liable if I do something wrong. I worked to hard for the to throw it away. Ironiclly I worked so hard I can't even use the stupid thing :uhoh3:

Hopefully so this "anti-new grad" thing will go away and will all be in demand again! Good luck:twocents:

Yeah. I get you on that. I been licensed for just about a year now and I've received nothing in the way of job prospects. I currently working in retail and I sure even if I get a job in nursing I'll be so rusty that I concern that I would just lose the job anyways because I probably forgotten a lot of my knowledge.

It rather concerning to me the more time that I'm out. But I just can't give up, at least not yet.

As for the Anti-grad attitude. I believe the economy is getting better and slowly you'll see more jobs open up as more RNs can retire or quit. So overall the future looks better (I think).

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Yeah. I get you on that. I been licensed for just about a year now and I've received nothing in the way of job prospects. I currently working in retail and I sure even if I get a job in nursing I'll be so rusty that I concern that I would just lose the job anyways because I probably forgotten a lot of my knowledge.

It rather concerning to me the more time that I'm out. But I just can't give up, at least not yet.

As for the Anti-grad attitude. I believe the economy is getting better and slowly you'll see more jobs open up as more RNs can retire or quit. So overall the future looks better (I think).

Working retail is where I'm headed I can't get a job soon! Still I haven't giving up yet either. Good luck :)

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Specializes in LTC, Family Practice, Meg/Surg.

No offense to you all, but where do you live??? There are a million nursing job opportunities in NY, where I live. I'm sorry to hear that :(

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No offense to you all, but where do you live??? There are a million nursing job opportunities in NY, where I live. I'm sorry to hear that :(

Bolling Air Force Base (Washington, DC)

And we're talking New Grads.....not experienced RNs such as yourself...yes there are tons of RN jobs here too...but they don't just hire new grads you have to get hired into a graduate nurse program or RN residency so you can be oriented for six weeks!

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Specializes in LTC, Family Practice, Meg/Surg.
Bolling Air Force Base (Washington, DC)

And we're talking New Grads.....not experienced RNs such as yourself...yes there are tons of RN jobs here too...but they don't just hire new grads you have to get hired into a graduate nurse program or RN residency so you can be oriented for six weeks!

Actually, I'm not an experienced RN....yet. I graduate in March. I have 5 years experience as a LPN, I'm not quite sure if that will help or not....I hope so :)

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I agree, it is very frustrating to work so hard and not be able to get a job. It's incredibly disappointing. There is hope though. After 7 months, I just got 2 offers in different hospitals, so I believe it will happen for you. While I was going through the application process (every day), I started nannying part-time as well. It made me feel useful, brought me some joy, and helped keep me financially afloat. I also had an volunteer RN internship lined up as well. Check with some hospitals if they have any programs like this to keep you involved in the hospital while you are waiting for an offer (it could also lead into something if they like you). Then you can still work doing something else, and keep a foot in the hospital door. I also recommend keeping your mind completely open, and applying for positions that would mean re-locating (if that is an option for you at all). Some job markets are better for new grads right now than others. I know it's hard - I wish you the absolute best!

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Specializes in (future hope) Genetic Nursing.
No offense to you all, but where do you live??? There are a million nursing job opportunities in NY, where I live. I'm sorry to hear that :(

Actually, I'm not an experienced RN....yet. I graduate in March. I have 5 years experience as a LPN, I'm not quite sure if that will help or not....I hope so :)

I live just out side of NYC in N. NJ. I have received all of 2 interview in the past year and no calls back. In one of two interviews I did I found out there were about 40 people vying for 5 positions. Also in all my unsuccessful attempts for employment my rejection letters said that one they looking for a BSN (I was a diploma student) or you need at least 1 year experience to apply for a particular position.

I have applied every where in an 1 1/2 distance from my town. Only a handful of folks I graduated with have found jobs. So There maybe Millions of Nursing jobs somewhere in NY. But they don't seem to be where I'm at.

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