What am I doing wrong in my job search? Advice please?

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  1. How did you get your first RN job?

    • 2
      I previously worked as a PCT/Clerk/etc and was promoted
    • 3
      I got the job through friends/family contact
    • 0
      I volunteered while in school and was given a job in the hospital I volunteered at
    • 4
      I live in a place where the job market for RNs is better.
    • 3
      I had a job waiting for me even before I graduated/passed my NCLEX. (If so, please explain in the comments below how)

12 members have participated

Hi everyone. I was hoping people with experience can give me some advice.

Im sorry this is really long. Please bear with me.

I'm getting really frustrated. I feel like I've submitted a hundred applications both online and in person and am not hearing anything back. Its so frustrating. I hear of people having jobs lined up even before they graduate. How?? I don't know whats wrong with me. I can't seem to get a job anywhere. I just received my license last month, so I don't know if I'm just being too hasty - but then I see classmates getting jobs with 0 nursing experience and it gets at me.

I was the only one in my class that actually worked as a LPN and had/has actual nursing experience. Theres people in my class who's only work experience was working in a pizzeria or as a sales associate - and they are getting jobs (in hospitals!), but I'm not. I don't know.

Do hospitals not consider LPN experience as nursing experience?

First I live in NYC - the job market here sucks. Plus I have my Associates, so I don't think thats helping the situation. I applied to so many applications and didn't hear anything back. I went to almost every single hospital website in the greater NYC area and applied for positions I feel I qualified for (theres not a lot). I probably heard back from maybe 2-3 saying I didn't meet the qualifications..or they have a candidate that "best meets the company's need at this time".. etc.

I even went to nursing homes in the borough I live in and applied. The current LTC facility I work at states there are no RN positions available. There is a position online for my job where the requirements are simply 2 years geriatric nursing experience, and a valid NYS RN license. I have both of these requirements. When I spoke with the DON about this, she said they're looking for someone with RN experience. But the job posting didn't state that as a requirement. I don't have RN experience, although in my facility I worked as a LPN charge nurse. I did many duties (that are in my scope, of course) that usually the RN does. So I don't get why I can't be considered for the position. I've given up on all hopes of even obtaining a RN position at my current job. I've been with them for a little over 2 years. I worked every single weekend for them (seriously, every. single. weekend.) throughout nursing school, including holidays and throughout my summer break. But theres a lot of "politics" going on. I don't think they will ever hire me. I've never even faced any disciplinary action at my job. I've been a great employee IMO. No one has a problem with me. I don't know.

Anyways, so I've been applying EVERYWHERE. I really don't want to work in a a nursing home, but still I applied. What am I doing wrong?

How can I catch a break in a hospital? What should I do? I applied to hospitals - I even emailed hospitals with my resume and cover letter at the provided nursing recruitment email address.

Would volunteering help at this point? Would working as a PCT or clerk work? Will they even allow me to considering I have my LPN and RN license?

How did you all get your first break for a RN job? Did you have experience? Did you know people?

Do I need to "know people" to get a RN job? If so.. How do I get to "know people?" Lol. My previous DON and ADON at my first LPN job are saying they will try to get me a job at the hospitals they work at - but I don't know if it will work out.

What should I do? I have my ASN, RN, LPN, BCLS, and Infection Control certification. I was planning on obtaining my IV and ACLS next week. But they're expensive and I don't know if its even worth it? Do hospitals offer that to the staff they hire? Or should I just go and obtain the certifications on my own?

Also can someone please offer to look over my cover letter and resume? I can email it someone. I want to know if I'm messing up on them? I thought they were okay.. But now I am just completely discouraged.

I also want to quit my current job as a LPN. The LPNs are so overworked. I've talked about this in my other posts. The amount of work expected of us in the time allotted is beyond unrealistic. And then if you leave late, management taunts you and threatens to write you up, etc. I never take a break, even to use the freaking toilet. I don't eat anything, drink anything. I'm like a robot running around trying to do my horrendous med pass and treatments. Despite the best of my efforts, I can't finish on time - ever. And this stresses me out because theres also the stress of management and all their "threats." Being a LPN - at least here in NYC is rough. I hate it. I was so happy once I received my RN license cause I figured I won't have to deal with this for much longer.. But now I am completely shattered and discouraged.

Please! Any job finding techniques/tips are appreciated.

Sorry I wrote a essay, like always. Thank you to whoever actually read this. Please offer suggestions. Im desperate!

Thank you everyone!

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Specializes in Orthopedics.

I graduated 5 years ago and it took me 6 MONTHS of constant applications to find a job. I had previously worked for two other major hospital systems (one while in nursing school) and couldn't get in at either after school. Even with 8 years experience in the healthcare field and a previous BS degree it was still tough. I ended up getting a NOC shift position at a SNF and I got in because a woman I went to nursing school with had just been hired there. I can't say it was my first choice (I will never work NOC again), but I put in my time and learned a TON. Ten months after getting hired there, I landed my dream job and have been there for 3 years now.

Just be diligent. Be willing to take something less than what you want (experience is better than no experience). Also, I would recommend having a plan to get your BSN. I was going to wait, but when I realized that's what the job market demanded, I dove right into an RN to BSN program.

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Specializes in NICU.

You live in a very saturated area and it will be very difficult to find a job. It might be closer to November/December before you find something. There is a glut of new grads in May and December which means that new grad job applicants decreases as it gets closer to December as more of them find jobs. You might need to relocate. I don't live in New York, but I put out over 100 resumes in 12 states (primarily NICU positions). I had only 2 in person interviews and was fortunate to be offered a NICU position. I had to move 3 hrs away. I graduated in August, passed NCLEX in September, accepted the position in November.

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

I had four years of LVN experience when I earned an ASN degree and RN licensure in 2010. I secured my first RN position a couple of weeks after being licensed, but it wasn't ideal: part-time weekends at a nursing home, 24 hours per week, no shift differential, no benefits, and 25 miles from my home.

The only reason I got the job was because I knew the director of nursing services, had her cell phone number, and telephoned her to see if she needed a nurse. I had worked with her at another facility when I was an LVN.

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I graduated 5 years ago and it took me 6 MONTHS of constant applications to find a job. I had previously worked for two other major hospital systems (one while in nursing school) and couldn't get in at either after school. Even with 8 years experience in the healthcare field and a previous BS degree it was still tough. I ended up getting a NOC shift position at a SNF and I got in because a woman I went to nursing school with had just been hired there. I can't say it was my first choice (I will never work NOC again), but I put in my time and learned a TON. Ten months after getting hired there, I landed my dream job and have been there for 3 years now.

Just be diligent. Be willing to take something less than what you want (experience is better than no experience). Also, I would recommend having a plan to get your BSN. I was going to wait, but when I realized that's what the job market demanded, I dove right into an RN to BSN program.

Yeah thats true.. Even though I really don't want to continue to work at nursing homes, I still did apply. And of course if I get a job offer at a LTC facility, I would take it just so I can put on my resume that I have RN experience. Regardless I don't think it would help though.. Since most job listings at hospitals start specifics like "Must have x years experience in CCU, ICU, ER, ..Or even regular "staff nurse" positions require x years med surg experience. And I don't think they count nursing home experience as med surg.. correct? Thats why I'm so flustered. Because I don't think having nursing home experience will even help. I am planning on starting my BSN in January for the Spring 2016 semester. Its too late to start in August. The RN-BSN programs here had a deadline for March I think.

Thanks for the input!

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Relocation isn't really a option for me =/ Atleast not right now. I am considering obtaining my NJ license so that I can apply to jobs there. It is a bit expensive though, which sucks because I'm also trying to get my ACLS and IV certification now. I really hope it doesn't take me until Nov/Dec to get a job :(

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I had four years of LVN experience when I earned an ASN degree and RN licensure in 2010. I secured my first RN position a couple of weeks after being licensed, but it wasn't ideal: part-time weekends at a nursing home, 24 hours per week, no shift differential, no benefits, and 25 miles from my home.

The only reason I got the job was because I knew the director of nursing services, had her cell phone number, and telephoned her to see if she needed a nurse. I had worked with her at another facility when I was an LVN.

Yeah.. A lot of my classmates that I spoke to said their parents or a friend of theirs helped them to obtain a position. I'm reaching out to people that I know have connections with people in the hospitals. A lot are telling me to wait till there are jobs posted online and then to come in person and fill out a application and mention their name on my application. They said they will speak to them one I have a application submitted. And it sucks because early in July most places posted so many RN positions. I didn't take my NCLEX till July 10th. I wish I would've taken it earlier.. gosh. Thanks for the input! Ill keep you all updated if I ever do land a position. Thanks again everyone

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I had a job offer before I graduated nursing school or took NCLEX. I worked as a nurse extern during the last three semesters of my schooling and then applied for the new grad positions, which posted about three months before graduation occurred.

A two year RN degree in NYC, from what I understand, is pretty obsolete. Can you go on to BSN?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
A two year RN degree in NYC, from what I understand, is pretty obsolete. Can you go on to BSN?
This advice is salient and sage. There's a glut of new nurses between Boston and the DC/MD/VA area; this includes NYC, NJ, Philly, Baltimore, etc. As a new grad with an associate degree, there's currently nothing setting you apart from the rest of the pack who wants employment.
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Specializes in Orthopedics.
Yeah thats true.. Even though I really don't want to continue to work at nursing homes, I still did apply. And of course if I get a job offer at a LTC facility, I would take it just so I can put on my resume that I have RN experience. Regardless I don't think it would help though.. Since most job listings at hospitals start specifics like "Must have x years experience in CCU, ICU, ER, ..Or even regular "staff nurse" positions require x years med surg experience. And I don't think they count nursing home experience as med surg.. correct? Thats why I'm so flustered. Because I don't think having nursing home experience will even help. I am planning on starting my BSN in January for the Spring 2016 semester. Its too late to start in August. The RN-BSN programs here had a deadline for March I think.

Thanks for the input!

Depends on the hospital. I worked with a bunch of new grads in the SNF (SNF would be better than LTC), by a year they had all migrated to various hospitals, so it's possible. I went to the clinic setting and the job I applied for said 3 years experience required. They liked me so much, they hired me with only 10 months experience.

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I had a job offer before I graduated nursing school or took NCLEX. I worked as a nurse extern during the last three semesters of my schooling and then applied for the new grad positions, which posted about three months before graduation occurred.

A two year RN degree in NYC, from what I understand, is pretty obsolete. Can you go on to BSN?

I am planning to start my BSN program in January for the Spring 2016 semester.

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This advice is salient and sage. There's a glut of new nurses between Boston and the DC/MD/VA area; this includes NYC, NJ, Philly, Baltimore, etc. As a new grad with an associate degree, there's currently nothing setting you apart from the rest of the pack who wants employment.

Yeah of course I am starting my BSN in January. I am trying my best. I will keep you all updated if I do get a position.

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