To the unemployed new grads... what ARE you doing?

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi guys and gals,

It's a crappy job market and economy. I was just wondering what my fellow umemployed new grads were doing while they are job hunting and pulling out their hair. I'm just finishing up my last couple flu clinics while still looking for a job. What about you? Are you parking cars or working at Starbucks just to make a few dollars until you land that nursing position?

I'm curious what the responses are.

I am studying for my N-Clex. The rest of the time, I check my emails for rejections from all the places I've applied to. No interview of any sort yet. It's so depressing. I dont know why everyone I've talked to told me that new nurses can find a job anywhere since there's not enough nurses. hahahhahha...I guess none of these people have apply for a new RN position lately. Black Friday is coming and I guess I must do some shopping therapy but by the end of the month when the husband open the CC statement, World War III will explode in my household.

Those people almost ALWAYS have NEVER even taken a single nursing class. I feel your pain. At this point, I would just take ANY job that you can get.

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Specializes in Utilization management, psychiatric-mental health.

Hello RN friends,

I am second semester student in NYC and have been updated with the economy, hospital closings in NYC and the lack of jobs availbale to new grad RNs. I hope things start looking brightly for everyone on this board. I've been prepared for this mentally and actually decided to start volunteering at a hospital but realized it may not do me any good because I chose the wrong unit. I want to change (so I can be on the Nursing floors and have patient interactions) but I feel bad because I made a commitment for one year to volunteer in this unit. I am observing EKG and Echo techs and I am really not allowed to do anything anwyay, since I am volunteer; so the two days that I am there, I don't do anything but talk to everyone. Yeah, it kinda sucks. I am not learning anything. I don't know what to do and I don't think the volunteer coordinator is going to change me. So the most I can do is change my day to one day a week. I am planning to volunteer somewhere else.

But anyway, my question is about the flu clinics that people worked at. Is that available in NYC? I am so eager to learn, still want to volunteer but I feel many of the voluneer jobs in NYC are kinda limiting. I hear about student nurse externships but I am not eligible since I am an associate degree student and many of them cater to BSN students. so I am kinda predicted by the time I graduate, it's going to be a tough road for me. I can't even get a admin job in the hospital, I get all rejections. I realized you just need to know someone in the environment so you can get a job hook-up. I am so stressed and I didn't even graduate yet. I am currently unemployed as well. But if anyone have any suggestions about what I should do as a nursing student, please let me know. Thanks.

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

I began volunteering at a nearby hospital, 1) to keep busy and 2) to potentially meet the right people and/or get myself known in the right unit and possibly get a job eventually. I also took ACLS a few weeks ago. I also enrolled in a couple of classes that I needed in order to start my BSN degree. I just landed a job in a physician's office, which I'm super thankful for. I'm going to stay with the office job until I can get something in a hospital. If I hadn't been offered this job, I was so close to applying for seasonal retail work or applying for full time medical assisting jobs, as I worked as an MA before school.

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I graduated in 2004 with a 4.0 from an award-winning (literally) accredited school of nursing. I had the same issues at that time as you all do today. Everyone was tooting about the nursing shortage--I sure didn't see one. I also loads of foreign trained, imported nurses. Now I am all for more good people coming to the US, but these people were imported like property by companies, for money, so that hospitals could hire nurses who would work for less.

Don't kid yourself--while the supply exceeds the demand, the price will go down. That's basic economics and definitely not rocket science.

So we have loads and loads of foreign nurses (even in small town, small hospital settings), while new grads (and not so new grads--I can't seem to get interviews where I want to work!) are left holding out their hats and hoping for the best.

And the hospitals are making out like bandits.

I interviewed yesterday with a hospice, the director of which told me that there is a nursing shortage, of the kind of nurses for whom compassion and good care are characteristic. I guess the trick is, how to get the word out that you are that kind of nurse....

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Specializes in Utilization management, psychiatric-mental health.
I began volunteering at a nearby hospital, 1) to keep busy and 2) to potentially meet the right people and/or get myself known in the right unit and possibly get a job eventually. I also took ACLS a few weeks ago. I also enrolled in a couple of classes that I needed in order to start my BSN degree. I just landed a job in a physician's office, which I'm super thankful for. I'm going to stay with the office job until I can get something in a hospital. If I hadn't been offered this job, I was so close to applying for seasonal retail work or applying for full time medical assisting jobs, as I worked as an MA before school.

Hey Crossingfingers10,

Is it required to get an ACLS certification? I have my BCLS. I agree, that volunteering will help you meet the right people. I guess, for me, I just feel I am in the wrong unit since the techs don't know anyone except for the people in their unit and other workers in teh area. But they are not on the nursing floors. LOL, I was also telling my fiance that it's so funny that even though I am volunteering, I feel like it's becoming expensive. The reason why I say this is because the unit had a potluck Thanksgiving dinner so I brought in a good and now I am in a secret santa gift bag so I know I have buy a gift for someone in the unit. It's cool but it's not fun since I am unemployed. My fiance has to give me money to do this. So we just thought it was funny that I am "paying" to volunteer and even in return, I am not getting experience anyway. But I am trying to optimistic, :)

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Specializes in Utilization management, psychiatric-mental health.
I graduated in 2004 with a 4.0 from an award-winning (literally) accredited school of nursing. I had the same issues at that time as you all do today. Everyone was tooting about the nursing shortage--I sure didn't see one. I also loads of foreign trained, imported nurses. Now I am all for more good people coming to the US, but these people were imported like property by companies, for money, so that hospitals could hire nurses who would work for less.

Don't kid yourself--while the supply exceeds the demand, the price will go down. That's basic economics and definitely not rocket science.

So we have loads and loads of foreign nurses (even in small town, small hospital settings), while new grads (and not so new grads--I can't seem to get interviews where I want to work!) are left holding out their hats and hoping for the best.

And the hospitals are making out like bandits.

I interviewed yesterday with a hospice, the director of which told me that there is a nursing shortage, of the kind of nurses for whom compassion and good care are characteristic. I guess the trick is, how to get the word out that you are that kind of nurse....

Hey Chris,

You are right; the hospitals are the ones who are benefiting, as usual. I also feel that you have to a a connection in the hospital since outsiders like us, have so much difficulty finding a job, the "regular" way. The internet is flooded with postings and I feel the hospitals just post jobs to show that they are doing "external" recruiting but they always work from the inside and hire people that are relatives of the staff or friends. So far, my fiance, he is an orthotist and he is at the Bronx hospitals 3 days a week. Since he knows some of staff, he is closest link to finding me a job. The only issue is that I am a day time student and I have part time availability. So next semester, I am hoping to get into the evening program so I can have full time availabity. Maybe by then I can get a regular admin job in a hospital, get experience and by the time I graduaute I can transfer and become a nurse. It sounds like a great plan but so far, I've been stressed out. I couldn't find a job since I became a studen this year and haven't been working for over six months.

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Specializes in Gas, ICU, ACLS, PALS, BLS.

If you want to find work, there are definitely RN jobs out there. The problem is that SOME people aren't willing to move out of state or commute long distances to get to work and have their hearts set on only one hospital and one particular unit.

Be flexible, be willing to do whatever work you can get. This will get your foot in the door at a facility (whether skilled nursing home, flu clinic, hospital, GI clinic) and then with a year of experience on that unit you'll be more qualified for another position you'd prefer to have.

Be willing to move or commute.

Several big-name hospitals are willing to hire and train new grads at a lesser pay, but will put you on an ICU if you want. Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and other big name hospitals do this. This is how I found my 1st job as a new grad, I went right on to a Cardiovascular ICU, although at a lower pay than other offers I received. I also had to move my family of 5 from the west coast to the east to take this job.

Also, when you're in nursing school take advantage of being in your state or national professional organizations. I was a board member of my school's student nursing association and they sent us to all of the state and national conferences. While at these conferences I was able to network a great deal, in fact, that's how I made a contact for my 1st job. TONS of employers go to these conferences trying to recruit new grads.....but you have to be flexible to take some of these jobs, like moving out of state or taking a salary that's a little less that what you were hoping for.

Go volunteer for a hospital or be willing to do CNA work on a unit that you like and once they see how well you work they'll probably be willing to hire you on as an RN.

It's not that jobs aren't available, you just have to do the right things and put yourself in the right position to be the person they decide to hire.

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I graduated in May 2009, and I just FINALLY got a nursing job. I had to move to another state and 5 and 1/2 hours away from home to get a job, but at least it's a foot in the door.

Before that I was working at Kohl's Department Stores to try to make some extra money. This economy sucks so much. Good luck to you and to all the new grads who still don't have jobs!!!

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I will be graduating soon with my RN. I was a carpenter prior to going into nursing school. I allready have a job offer (knock on wood) I am an older Male and I am wondering if there is a gender discrimination issue here. Are these jobless new grad rumours true? I have heard stories but have not really investigated, due to the fact I have had my face in a book for the past 2 years. I guess I might be a Handy Man/Nurse in my near future. Possibly a Home Health/Home Remodeler all in one package. How's that sound ladies?

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Specializes in ED, Critical Care.

I'm a paramedic full time and I never quit my FT job while going to nursing school. I've worked a few PT jobs as an RN and resigned each after a few months. Not sure what I'm going to do as far as nursing, as the little bit I've done I really don't like it.

I make nearly the same as a medic, have great insurance and state retirement. I work 2 24 hour shifts a week and can do much more in the field as a medic than I ever could as an RN.

I'll keep my licenses up for nursing. I'm planning on finishing my bachelors and possibly NP or PA school.

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Specializes in Pediatrics & luvin it.

well here is what i am planning. i will be applying to the nursing program at etsu in january 2011. i recently became a licensed c.n.a. and just this week i will start working in the pediatrics department at the local hospital. the hospital i work for has a scholarship program in which they help employees first and general public next. i plan on taking advantage of the scholarship program in which i will be guaranteed employment upon graduation. i just hope this works like i plan it to.

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.
Hey Crossingfingers10,

Is it required to get an ACLS certification? I have my BCLS. I agree, that volunteering will help you meet the right people. I guess, for me, I just feel I am in the wrong unit since the techs don't know anyone except for the people in their unit and other workers in teh area. But they are not on the nursing floors. LOL, I was also telling my fiance that it's so funny that even though I am volunteering, I feel like it's becoming expensive. The reason why I say this is because the unit had a potluck Thanksgiving dinner so I brought in a good and now I am in a secret santa gift bag so I know I have buy a gift for someone in the unit. It's cool but it's not fun since I am unemployed. My fiance has to give me money to do this. So we just thought it was funny that I am "paying" to volunteer and even in return, I am not getting experience anyway. But I am trying to optimistic, :)

Hi there! It's not required to get your ACLS in general, but it looks good on the resume and it is required in some units. Most hospitals will pay for you to take ACLS upon hire if you are getting hired into a unit like tele, ICU, ER, etc, but I figure it looks good if you already have it as a new grad. Less money they need to spend, something they don't have to worry about, and it shows ititiative on our end. I was hesitant about taking it since I knew most hospitals would pay for it and I wasn't excited about the $225 cost, but I figured anything that could help my resume get closer to the front of the line is worth it.

Haha, I know what you mean about the volunteer stuff. I have just been at the front desk of the hospital for the last month or two getting in my initial "guest services" hours, so there haven't been any unit activities for us or anything. But next week, I am moving to the NICU (YAY!) so I will be part of a unit. I'm really hoping to make it known that I am an RN looking for a job and maybe something could come from it once they get to know me. I'm not getting my hopes up, since even if you have connections it doesn't always help you out, but I know there is a possibility something could come up. About the connections, I have several connections within hospitals in my area, and their hands are tied when it comes to getting me in for interviews or anything like that. It's pretty unfortunate. Anyway, good luck to you! I know it's rough. What area are you in?

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