Very frustrated! Jacksonville Area

misswhitney · Apr 9, 2010

Hello All!!! I just really need some advice... maybe someone will have an idea I haven't thought of yet?!
I graduated in Dec. and passed boards... I have been diligently looking for a job - anything - for a good 6 months now and I have not had ONE interview, callback - NOTHING! I assumed that it was because I was a GN but now that I am an RN, I am still not hearing ANYTHING... I get several computer-generated rejection letters but that is about it. I have been calling the places and tryng to get through to the HR/Nurse Managers but that is also very difficult to do... I have applied outside of the Jax area... I have applied to unconventional places... I have several "connections" in the area and they can't even help right now...
I know the Jacksonville area is very tough for new nurses right now but I am very nervous that if I don't get a job soon, the 550(+) new grads coming out this month in Jacksonville is going to make it nearly impossible...
Any advice anyone has would be SOO helpful!! Thank you

Try home health. I know people who graduated with me in August who still have nothing and have to resort to being a home health nurse or a school nurse, etc. Do not limit your options to hospitals. Short of going to every floor and asking to speak to the nurse manager, just make use of your connections. Ask them what you can do. I know while I was in school I made friends with everyone, talked to every nurse manager on every floor I was on (including those experience days) and still keep in contact with a nurse manager at a hospital I want to work in and the things that got me an interview at St. Vincent's was because I worked at Publix for 5 yrs and for Specialty (my current employer), was because I had a friend from school look into it and basically talked the head of HR into interviewing me, which I was thankful for. Use all of your resources, do not limit yourself, and make sure you are more desirable. If you are an ADN, go back and get your BSN. Get your ACLS, start getting CEU's, maybe start looking into certifications or getting a job as a tech or sitter. Good luck! =)

nurseneptune_2010 · Apr 9, 2010

Thank you SO much... I am a server at a local sports bar and I do meet ALOT of people who are nurses/nurse managers or people that know someone... Nobody seems to follow-up but I just keep hoping that someone will be able to help... In these days, its all about who you know it seems. My Aunt is a pretty well known person at St. Vincent's and she has not been able to help thus far. All I need is ONE "yes" or an interview =)

As far as the CEU's, I have thought about going forward and starting to get some of those things... Even specialty certifications, I think, would benefit me... How do I go about getting things like that? I always assumed I would have a job that would guide me in the right direction for those types of things but, I am willing to do whatever it takes!! Is there a website that can help me start doing some of those?

Thank you!!

misswhitney · Apr 9, 2010

Thank you SO much... I am a server at a local sports bar and I do meet ALOT of people who are nurses/nurse managers or people that know someone... Nobody seems to follow-up but I just keep hoping that someone will be able to help... In these days, its all about who you know it seems. My Aunt is a pretty well known person at St. Vincent's and she has not been able to help thus far. All I need is ONE "yes" or an interview =)
As far as the CEU's, I have thought about going forward and starting to get some of those things... Even specialty certifications, I think, would benefit me... How do I go about getting things like that? I always assumed I would have a job that would guide me in the right direction for those types of things but, I am willing to do whatever it takes!! Is there a website that can help me start doing some of those?
Thank you!!

Specialty takes care of mine for me but I know a lot of nursing journals offer them and you can google them. The thing about it is they can have their pick of new grads so you have to stand out and you have to follow up. Ask your aunt about the OR at St. V's. I know they hired a lot of new grads and were still looking. Apply for a position then make a day trip out of visiting the hospital you applied at and talk to all the nurse managers you can, and be sure to have a lot of resumes available. When these people come to you at the bar, ask them for their numbers and e-mails and follow up with them. The squeaky wheel gets the job! =)

nurseneptune_2010 · Apr 9, 2010

Yes, I have a friend just hired in the OR there but she was a scrub tech for the past 4 years there so she obviously had a leg up on everyone else applying. She is just in her second week with a preceptor and she LOVES it! Thank you so much for your advice - I am thinking Monday, I am visiting these hospitals =)

misswhitney · Apr 9, 2010

You are welcome!! =) I would still try their OR though. A few of my friends got hired there with no experience whatsoever. Good luck!

goodstudentnowRN · Apr 10, 2010

I am in the same boat. I have been trying to get a job but I can't...I am very frustrated and feel so defeated. I got laid off for some time now and now I have a license and cannot get a job. What a shame!!!

KateRN1 · Apr 10, 2010

Warning about the home health suggestions, Florida requires that you have a year of experience as a licensed nurse before you can be hired into a home health position.

Have you tried long-term care facilities? Long-term acute care hospitals (like Specialty or Kindred)? Assisted living facilities? Volunteering at the Sulzbacher center? Asked your former instructors for suggestions or letters of recommendation?

Best value for CEUs is http://www.rn.com. All the CEUs you can do in a year for $29.95 or something like that, cheaper than those in the nursing journals.

Ace587RN, RN · Apr 11, 2010

rn.org runs $19.99 for a year's access. I highly recommend it!

Disclaimer: I dont work for rn.org whatsoever

misswhitney · Apr 13, 2010

Warning about the home health suggestions, Florida requires that you have a year of experience as a licensed nurse before you can be hired into a home health position.
Have you tried long-term care facilities? Long-term acute care hospitals (like Specialty or Kindred)? Assisted living facilities? Volunteering at the Sulzbacher center? Asked your former instructors for suggestions or letters of recommendation?
Best value for CEUs is http://www.rn.com. All the CEUs you can do in a year for $29.95 or something like that, cheaper than those in the nursing journals.

I had gotten hired at two home health agencies with no experience and some of my friends are currently working in it now. I don't know about the law though, as I know of at least 3 home health agencies that hired new grads. Hmmm...

goodstudentnowRN · Apr 13, 2010

Sighs...anything I get presently I will take. It is just too hard.

nurseneptune_2010 · Apr 13, 2010

Thanks for all the suggestions! I am going to sign up for some CEU's and try to get ACLS... What about specialty certs? And say I want to take some L&D specialty certs, or NICU certs, is it even going to matter if I don't have the experience? Willing to do just about anything here!!!! =)