What have I done?!

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Specializes in Ortho / Nuro / ICU Step Down.

I am a new grad nurse. I graduated in December. I have my permanent license and CPR. I am from out of state and have been applying to jobs for 6 months now. I have tried to social network my butt of and have been given names of Nurse managers only to be told that there are no new grad positions. I have applied for everything within an hours drive. I have invested my own money to become ACLS certified. I have been offered 1 interview from all of this. today I was given a call back and told that while I interviewed well 2 "experienced" candidates where offered the position. I feel as though fullfilling a life long dream has turned into a nightmare! How do I get experience if no one is hiring new grads? What am I not doing right. To all my new grads in SO CAL, How long did it take for you to be offered an RN position and what did you have to do to get it? Is there anyone in Orange County hiring new grads. Please help!

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

It's been taking some new grads well over a year. I've been meeting new grads from December 2008. That's when the market fell out. Orange County has very few places hiring new grads, I know mission hospital in mission viejo just had a few openings, and so did UCI. Not sure if they are still open. If you see a hospital position that under requirements does NOT list required experience, I would go ahead and apply, some hospitals will train you without a formal new grad program, and at 6 months of job hunting, I would recommend being willing to take it. I would also start applying to facilities such as kindred that may have openings, they have long term acute care so you should be able to maintain some skills until you get what you really want. Good luck.

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Specializes in school/home health/behavioral/prison.

Hi,

I've been checkin' out stuff on craigslist and the OC register and everywhere I can...I'm not sure if this will work out or not but maybe you can try this link...It's a company that is taking new grads in Signal Hill..They are sending people out to different areas..It is home health stuff I believe- I just thought I'd try and help out...

I've been in that boat~fortunately, it didn't sink;)

good luck!

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/hea/2389669502.html

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Specializes in school/home health/behavioral/prison.

Hi again,

I found this through "simply hired". They are taking new grads..It is only a day old and it is not in OC but in Glendale...

http://seeker.allhealthcarejobs.com/jobsearch/servlet/JobSearch?op=101&dockey=xml/7/7/77f537aa08d341be6d795b4729e14566@endecaindex&c=1&source=27&src=27&cmpid=AG:4

It is hard to get a job without exp. these days I guess...Hope something pans out soon for you:)

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It took me a year to find a job and fortunately I just started working at UCI in MICU. I did everything you did but I've met some great unemployed new grads out there so the competition is fierce. Sometimes it's just in the timing. Sorry.

Good Luck and remember persistence does pay off. :hug:

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Specializes in Ortho / Nuro / ICU Step Down.

Thank you all for the input, particularly you lulu67. I must admit that having this forum does help bit. I really need to feel a bit of support. Thank You all !!!:o:heartbeat

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You cannot take it personally. California is saturated with New Grad RN's. I think it really has to do with timing and luck. Competition is fierce, so you just have to keep persevering. It will happen.

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Specializes in Ortho / Nuro / ICU Step Down.

I work as a CNA and see Nurses snap at each other every day from heavy case loads. I hear nurse manager complain that their staff has no loyalty and they jump from one job to another. All the while seeing constant posts from new grads begging for any scrap of advise to help them just get an opportunity to prove themselves. The whole situation is just sad really. I find it odd that more and more hospital say there focus is on patient satisfaction and all the while there denying opportunities to new grads who will be willing to go the extra mile and bring a little positivity into the work place. I honestly believe this profession is just turning there backs on some AMAZING Nurses.

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