The New Grad Job Search

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Hello all!!

I am a new grad ADN RN, as of May 2014. :)

I know it has not been that long but I figured I would at least hear call backs for interviews after about a month of applying and 20+ applications. My dream is to work in L&D but and the VA/DC/MD area you need a BSN and at least 1-2 years of experience. I do plan on starting a BSN program in the next few months. But I have no hospital experience with the exception of my clinical rotations (which i found does not count as experience).

I would love to hear how your guys over came this, if you had similar experiences and any suggestions on how i could better market myself with limited experience. I'm open to moving (I have started looking at the Richmond VA and Charlotte NC area) so if you know of any states where it may be easier for a new grad I would love suggestions! thanks!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Simply put, the places where relatively few people wish to live are the locales where new grad RN hospital job openings are burgeoning. Locations such as Cheyenne, WY, Wichita, KS, Grand Forks, ND, Abilene, TX, Omaha, NE, and Lawton, OK are just a few of the promising spots for new grad RN hiring.

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Even those areas are difficult for new grad ADNs. The market is just too saturated with traditional BSNs and second degree BSNs

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Very rarely do I comment on these posts but your situation is VERY similar to mine.I graduated in May 2013 from the dmv area and went on a few interviews but was unable to find a job. I researched how difficult it was to get a job in this area PRIOR to finishing nursing school and what these recruiters are looking for. VERY early in my job search I started applying out of state. I applied to hospitals in Virginia and North Carolina and had alot of success in the Richmond and Norfolk area. Anyways, I ended up getting a job at a hospital in the Bon Secours network ( in richmond)last november on a tele unit. In July of this year I began applying to hospitals in the dmv area because I didnt like richmond and I didnt like the hospital. Anyways, I got an offer for all the hospitals in the dmv that i had interviews with and will start my new job in Maryland in oct.I was also able to network with friends who work in these hospitals now which helped. Start applying to hospitals in richmond- vcu, bon secours, and hca virginia ( the big three). The pay will be less but you can get your experience and you have a better chance if getting an L & D job. Best of luck to you I feel your pain.

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Oh I see I was hoping that wouldn't be the case, especially since i'm starting from scratch. But i'm sure the cost of living would also be cheaper in these locations. Something to think about, Thanks for your input.

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Thanks 8babynurse8 I will look into the RVA hospitals today!

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Unfortunately Charlotte market is heavily saturated.

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This is the situation I'm afraid I will face once I graduate. I too am in school in the dc/Baltimore area in an ADN program. I have started my RN to BSN and should only have one semester left after my ADN to get it... But I'm still nervous. My sister who graduated with a BSN a fee years ago could not find a job. Period. And she has a medical condition that doesn't allow her to move very far from her family in case she needs help so she is stuck looking in this area. After 2 years she got hired in an office, then a month later got fired because they were overstaffed. I dream to work in LD too, and ED... But I'm so afraid I won't even get a job. Nobody I'm my nursing class seems very worried about this issue, but I have seen what it's like out there...

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I was in exactly the same situation as you when I graduated in June. I started applying for jobs while I was still in nursing school, as a lot of the hospitals take their sweet time making hiring decisions. Out of my class of nearly 30, only 1/4 of us are employed, and I come from an area highly saturated with hospitals and opportunities. However, I found out that just being enrolled in a RN-BSN program wasn't nearly good enough. Competition is fierce, and it is all in who you know and the experience you already have.

I tracked every job I applied for, and I was at 120 before I received two interview calls... neither of which ended in a job offer. The only reason why I am currently employed in a great hospital on a Med-Surg floor is because I took a risk and applied to other states. I'm five states away from my home, and while this is definitely not my dream job, it is an open door to it. The majority of my classmates had blinders on and weren't willing to apply anywhere but their local area. Those are the ones who still don't have jobs. If you want a real shot... look at areas where they are hiring new grads: New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, North Dakota, Wyoming, etc. They may not be where you want to permanently live, but they are a real foot in the door to that L&D job you want, even if it starts on a Med-Surg floor.

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Thank you guys for your input I guess its time to take that next big step I and open my choices to other states. I think I will start looking in to TX and AZ...roxiroxmysox I wish you luck on your job search...everyone in my class that had hospital jobs before graduation ended up with a position...look in to a job as a tech/pca or sitter

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