Struggling to find a job in NYC

suzanne4, RN · Jun 14, 2008

As a foreign grad, do you actually have a visa that will permit you to work in the US right now? Or are you on an F-1 visa?

This is the time of year when the markets are flooded with new grads, so things are tight in many areas. The other issue is are you going to be able to orient on the day shift full-time for about six weeks? That may be another issue that you are going to be up against.

hope3456, ASN, RN · Jun 14, 2008

The problem is that you are asking for a specific schedule. As a new grad, you are starting out at the 'bottom of the totem pole.' You most likely won't be able to get a set schedule until you have been there a while - if even then.

And I wouldn't tell them you are a 'pre-med' student. It tells them you won't be around long.

alibaba123456 · Jun 14, 2008

As a foreign grad, do you actually have a visa that will permit you to work in the US right now? Or are you on an F-1 visa?
This is the time of year when the markets are flooded with new grads, so things are tight in many areas. The other issue is are you going to be able to orient on the day shift full-time for about six weeks? That may be another issue that you are going to be up against.

thank u for ur reply

im permanent resident. but i want only night shift (in the hospital, preferably Med-Surg or with Cardiology patients)? so even if i apply for night shift the orientation going to be during the day? :sniff:

the main problem is im full time pre-med student and for me my school is more important then being Rn, but i needed this job so badly because im transferring to School which is in Ivy league. and i need to pay my tuition.

and what about other questions? any response is appreciated.

P.S. thank u for ur reply again, u helped me during NCLEX now helping with job hunting.

P.S.S once again does me being pre-med lessen my chances getting a job?

elkpark · Jun 14, 2008

Most hospital orientation programs, especially programs for new graduates, require at least a few weeks of full-time day shifts, even if the person has been hired to work another shift.

The fact that you are looking for a night shift job because you are a full-time pre-med student during the day tells hospitals that you are just "passing through," and not planning on long-term employment with them; that would make you a less appealing candidate to them than someone who is looking for a permanent job -- you said yourself, in your post, that your schooling is more important to you than the job. That's understandable and necessary in terms of your own future, but hospitals are looking for someone for whom the job will be the top priority.

alibaba123456 · Jun 15, 2008

most hospital orientation programs, especially programs for new graduates, require at least a few weeks of full-time day shifts, even if the person has been hired to work another shift.
the fact that you are looking for a night shift job because you are a full-time pre-med student during the day tells hospitals that you are just "passing through," and not planning on long-term employment with them; that would make you a less appealing candidate to them than someone who is looking for a permanent job -- you said yourself, in your post, that your schooling is more important to you than the job. that's understandable and necessary in terms of your own future, but hospitals are looking for someone for whom the job will be the top priority.

the problem is that you are asking for a specific schedule. as a new grad, you are starting out at the 'bottom of the totem pole.' you most likely won't be able to get a set schedule until you have been there a while - if even then.
and i wouldn't tell them you are a 'pre-med' student. it tells them you won't be around long.

thank u for replies

ofcourse im not gonna say this thing in the interview;) i wrote it here to explain my situation. from the replies better less talk about pre-med education.

and concerning other questions, what should i do next? should i go to the hospital and meet nurse recruiter to talk face to face? and whats my chances getting job as visiting nurse (that was my last option because i wanted some real stuff i mean clinical experience) ?

and i still need answers to this question

1. how long does it usually take after applying for job and starting working as rn?

2. how hard to find a job as a rn (international graduate)?

3. does me being pre-med student lessen my chances getting a job? (got answer to this one) (i was thinking about same thing just making sure)

4. what should i do next? (next step of job hunting)

5. whats my chances getting job as visiting nurse? (new question)

thanks in advance

scribblerpnp · Jun 15, 2008

I disagree with some of the other posters who think your being pre-med hampers your ability to get a job. When I graduated, I was going to start grad school that fall full time. I was still hired at a large, prestigous pediatric hospital on a unit even though in the interview process, I made it very clear that I would be at that job for only two years. After that I was graduating and moving back home (2 hours away). They weren't too worried about that. They would have a nurse for 2 years, and could fill a slot. Now, it seems the shortage is even worse. This occured 6 years ago, and at that time the hospital wasn't even giving sign-on or moving bonuses, though they are now.

Suprising thing? I was offered a position for every unit (8) I interviewed for!

Probably your main trouble is how will you do orientation? At least 2-3 weeks will be during the day. And as others have said, limited times you can work. You will probably not get something fulltime along those lines. ASK FOR PRN STATUS! The hours will be less, you will not get any benefits, but you may get more money, and the hours you are looking for. And you can probably increase your hours during school breaks (help out covering for vaction time for other staffers), which a manager would love.

Good luck. You may need to re-write your cover letter emphasizing your happiness to work weekends and look for PRN vs full time. It would be best to not mention the pre-med thing until you can actually get an interview. HR or recruiting may be more concerned with you leaving than the managers (who are the ones who will decide to hire you or not).

alibaba123456 · Jun 15, 2008

i disagree with some of the other posters who think your being pre-med hampers your ability to get a job. when i graduated, i was going to start grad school that fall full time. i was still hired at a large, prestigous pediatric hospital on a unit even though in the interview process, i made it very clear that i would be at that job for only two years. after that i was graduating and moving back home (2 hours away). they weren't too worried about that. they would have a nurse for 2 years, and could fill a slot. now, it seems the shortage is even worse. this occured 6 years ago, and at that time the hospital wasn't even giving sign-on or moving bonuses, though they are now.
suprising thing? i was offered a position for every unit (8) i interviewed for!
probably your main trouble is how will you do orientation? at least 2-3 weeks will be during the day. and as others have said, limited times you can work. you will probably not get something fulltime along those lines. ask for prn status! the hours will be less, you will not get any benefits, but you may get more money, and the hours you are looking for. and you can probably increase your hours during school breaks (help out covering for vaction time for other staffers), which a manager would love.
good luck. you may need to re-write your cover letter emphasizing your happiness to work weekends and look for prn vs full time. it would be best to not mention the pre-med thing until you can actually get an interview. hr or recruiting may be more concerned with you leaving than the managers (who are the ones who will decide to hire you or not).

thank u so much for your reply. it really encourages me.

what is hours of night shift? (i look up some hospitals nyujdh starts from 1945 till 0815 which is very convenient for me).

and i still looking answers to this question

1. how long does it usually take after applying for job and starting working as rn?

2. how hard to find a job as a rn (international graduate)?

3. does me being pre-med student lessen my chances getting a job? (got answer to this one) (i was thinking about same thing just making sure)

4. what should i do next? (next step of job hunting)

5. whats my chances getting job as visiting nurse? (new question)

6. if hr called me about interview and i didnt pick, will they leave a message or they wont? (because 40% of the time cell is turned off [subway/classes])

thanks in advance

kendel · Jun 15, 2008

Some of the questions you are asking cannot be easily answered like how soon will you get a job,... that depends on the hospitals and how often they hire,... you know certain times per year

if i were you i would try an agency instead and sign up for per diem work when you are available. They might send you to a nursing home where their orintation may be 2 days the most and then you are on your own.

alibaba123456 · Jun 15, 2008

some of the questions you are asking cannot be easily answered like how soon will you get a job,... that depends on the hospitals and how often they hire,... you know certain times per year
if i were you i would try an agency instead and sign up for per diem work when you are available. they might send you to a nursing home where their orintation may be 2 days the most and then you are on your own.

thanks for your answer.

i was asking in general (like to question 1 i mean from your experience)

1. how long does it usually take after applying for job and starting working as rn?

2. how hard to find a job as a rn (international graduate)?

3. does me being pre-med student lessen my chances getting a job? (got answer to this one) (i was thinking about same thing just making sure)

4. what should i do next? (next step of job hunting)

5. whats my chances getting job as visiting nurse? (new question)

6. if hr called me about interview and i didnt pick, will they leave a message or they wont? (because 40% of the time cell is turned off [subway/classes])

thanks in advance

cursenurse · Jun 15, 2008

Most hospital orientation programs, especially programs for new graduates, require at least a few weeks of full-time day shifts, even if the person has been hired to work another shift.
The fact that you are looking for a night shift job because you are a full-time pre-med student during the day tells hospitals that you are just "passing through," and not planning on long-term employment with them; that would make you a less appealing candidate to them than someone who is looking for a permanent job -- you said yourself, in your post, that your schooling is more important to you than the job. That's understandable and necessary in terms of your own future, but hospitals are looking for someone for whom the job will be the top priority.

I know in at least one hospital in MI that you can do 99% orientation on Midnights, the only time you would have to do a day shift is for critical care class which was 1 day per week. And alibaba, 2.5 weeks to hear from a hospital recruiter is nothing. I've been playing phone tag with one for like 2 months, it can take awhile. Also the recruiter will leave a message if your phone is off.

alibaba123456 · Jun 16, 2008

I know in at least one hospital in MI that you can do 99% orientation on Midnights, the only time you would have to do a day shift is for critical care class which was 1 day per week. And alibaba, 2.5 weeks to hear from a hospital recruiter is nothing. I've been playing phone tag with one for like 2 months, it can take awhile. Also the recruiter will leave a message if your phone is off.

thank u for your answer.

they say that there is a shortage of nursing and the hiring process is too long :-/

is the orientation like 5 days a week or its like couple days a week?

and does the orientation last whole shift?

thanks in advance