Stress of finding a job

Nurses Job Hunt

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It's been 2 months since I got licensed in NJ and I still can't land a job :'( I've applied everywhere! Nursing homes, hospitals, surgi-centers. Ahhhh!!!!!! Everyone wants someone with experience but no one wants to allow me to gain any experience! And it's not like I have zero expirence. I worked in a hospital for a year as a pct and did two interships in another hospital. I also have great recommendations. It just seems like I don't know the right people. Everyone keeps telling me it's all about marketing and talking to people at the hospitals but all I get when I talk to people that I know at the hospitals they just say put me down as a reference. I can't be mad at them for that either. What do I expect?? For them to march my resume to their bff in HR??? It's just so disheartening because I really love nursing and I know this is what I was meant to do with my life and his crappy job market is preventing me from doing it. I'm so sad and disheartened and really needed to vent. I apologize for being a killjoy but if I said this to my husband one more time he might invest in permenant ear plugs.

Are you guys in rural areas, or urban areas? I am curious, because job availability seems to vary quite a bit depending on whether you live somewhere where a bunch of other people want to live, or whether you live in a place that is less populated. I just wrote on another thread, but wanted to write here, because I am a new grad who just (by luck? hard work? a good resume? all, definitely) got my "dream job," the same day I got notification of passing NCLEX-RN. I had been super worried about this, so I wanted to give you all some hope.

I wanted to throw out there to consider non-traditional, non-hospital settings (MR/DD state or government jobs, nurses at residential or group home type facilities, nurses in the corrections system, or (for states that have privatized many of their jails) those companies), behavioral facilities...I was researching all sorts of facilities that had one or two nursing positions available, but weren't traditional hospitals.

And I think what made me so, so lucky and fortunate in getting my job was that I had volunteered at this hospital for a number of years. I was able to honestly tell them that I am committed to this area, to this facility, and to this field. I definitely did not have the most experience as an RN of all the applicants or interviewees (I have never worked as a PCT or nurse aide or LPN before), but I was also probably the only person they interviewed who had spent as much time devoted to THAT hospital, so they knew that I was devoted to their team. So if you have time to volunteer in any capacity, do that -- you are in a good position to meet those people who can help you get the job you want. You never know when you're meeting someone who knows a manager or director, so treat everyone with respect, and sell yourself!

Good luck to everyone. I live in an area that is semi-rural, but is still fairly saturated with RNs from local community colleges, etc. The people in my class who are new grads and have jobs lined up seem to be those who are proactive and assertive with calling managers, etc., and also people who have some experience with the facility they are applying. There are still plenty of classmates who don't have jobs lined up yet, and some considering moving to different areas where fewer people want to live.

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Let me drop this out here- in my recent experience it doesn't seem as if there is any "right" way of doing things in the job hunting / nursing field.

What I mean is this: 1) I have been passed by because the bulk of my experience is in Corrections so I don't have "real" experience per the NMs that interview me.

2) I hesitate to go to work in LTC again because I had another NM tell me that "his" hospital would never hire a Nursing Home nurse because they are slow and have no assessment skills (not making it up- don't post angry stuff at me cuz my BFF is a LTC nurse and it made me mad too).

3) My resume is impeccable and I have several references from prominent physicians, NMs, and other community leaders and NONE OF THEM GET CALLED!

I am now under the belief that ppl get hired on whatever whim the HR and NM has and not on the merit of the nurse. Insanity!

Good luck to us all. I think the industry is missing out on a lot of bright competent workers right now.

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It also has been two months for me since I passed the boards in NJ. I have been applying everywhere and finally got a call from LTC/SubAcute Facility. I had an interview with the recruiter, DON and the CFO and was told to come back today for a physical which I did. Based on all the info that they have told me, i got the job :) but it comes with the 3 yr contract...and I am not sure what to think about the pay rate. I understand that i have no experience but what's is the lowest you would take???

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Look at their website and see if there is any posting about the job description of the job you're getting and see if it includes the rate, then compare what the posted rate vs what they offer you. If rate is not posted, compare it to your current salary. It should either be same or more. I would be ok to get the same pay as my non-RN job bec its the experience that counts. But if you don't have a current job to compare the pay with (or that your current non-RN job pays more), I'd go for not lower than $25/hr for start up RN job. Best of luck.

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

Feeling absolutely crushed!! Just got another denial from the one hospital in my area with a med/surg opening. I know they must get a ton of apps, but knowing that 2 other classmates who barely passed the program have been hired & I can't even get a return phone call when I was literally at the top of my class is beyond me. They don't have any more experience than I do; in fact one didn't even have a job of any kind for a decade. I'm trying to make more contacts to get my foot in the door, but I've just about had it! I've applied to other types of facilities as well, but no luck. I'm in a rural area btw which I've read on other posts that some think is better on the job outlook, but not here!

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Yea, those facts suck. Sorry to hear. Most of the time, its who you know.

But keep looking and don't lose hope. Wishing you all the luck.

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Thanks for the reply WRST.

There is nothing listed on their website that would include the pay rate. Also I know that there will be other new grads starting with me which got the same contract and pay rate. I have to make a decision by tomorrow if I am accepting the job. Since it is lower than my non Rn job and yes it's less 25/hr, I am thinking to try to negotiate so i can get the same rate..what do you think???

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Wow, $25/hr would be considered a VERY good starting salary in my area of the country. That's over $50,000/year. I'd say average starting salary for an RN is $20-$23/hr. here. Is the cost of living high where you are?

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
I would not recommend waiting to take the NCLEX. I applied for a job before I took the exam and they barely looked at my resume. I recently applied at the same facility and was told to expect a job offer:yeah:. They obviously prefer to hire someone with a license even a new grad. Good luck and just be persistent. I graduated in May and took the exam in July. It has been an emotional and depressing 4 months!:uhoh3:

Your right. Don't wait.

With so many qualified candidates applying, why spend a lot of time and effort recruiting someone who can't start right away, and could possibly fail the NCLEX.

Also, employers sometimes wonder why a new grad waits before applying.testing for licensure. In-process or in hand is best

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Wow, $25/hr would be considered a VERY good starting salary in my area of the country. That's over $50,000/year. I'd say average starting salary for an RN is $20-$23/hr. here. Is the cost of living high where you are?

I live in Northern NJ and based on my research starting rate for new grad is $ 25-28/ hr. This is what my classmates have been offered. One actually got a job PRN for 33/hr but no benefits. Where do you live?

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Specializes in Corrections & Developmental Disabilities.

I remember the stress of being newly licensed and searching for the "experience" that would make me no longer "new"(exhaling)...I would suggest getting licensed, if financially possible and looking for work in both New York and Pennsylvania. I found an abundance of work(that paid well) in both states and both border New Jersey. After working a year, you are considered experienced and more attractive to potential employers and the search becomes easier. This is a harder, more competitive job market given the present economy. Flexibility and an open mind are key to navigating through it. I wish the best for you: )

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I live in Northern NJ and based on my research starting rate for new grad is $ 25-28/ hr. This is what my classmates have been offered. One actually got a job PRN for 33/hr but no benefits. Where do you live?

Near Central Ohio -- outside a major city, but within driving distance. So I imagine in northern NJ, the cost of living may be higher. Rent for a 2 bedroom house here is approximately $850/month. A 1BR appt would be between $450-700/month, if that helps. I was always curious what the starting wage was in other areas of the country. A friend who is a new grad just got hired at $19.85/hr at a doctor office. Another at a local hospital (level 2 trauma), $23/hr.

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