I'm an RN, graduated with my ADN in May 2011, and I am currently in a BSN program which I will be finished with in 1 year. For all those soon-to-be grads out there, all I can say is good luck!! There are no jobs! I'm out of school for about a year and I am still searching for ANY RN job. I am not picky and will take anything (nursing home, office, ltc, rehab, you name it)! I feel I'm repeating what so many new grads on here are saying....but it's true! It's really depressing after going through all that studying and studying in nursing school and still not being able to find anything. I have gotten my resume professionally reviewed by a few people so I don't think there's a problem with that. I write a very specific cover letter for each place I apply to. I've gone down to hospitals to personally hand in my resume to HR department/ nursing recruiters. I've gone to a few career fairs since graduating. I've kept up (or atleast tried to keep up) with the places I applied to and called them asking about my application, if any open positions, status of my application etc. I've gone to healthcare agencies that help nurses find jobs. Basically, I've done it all! Except I still don't have anything! I currently live in NYC and only have a NY state RN license but I'm thinking about getting a NJ license since I may have better luck finding a job there. I would definitely consider traveling or relocating to NJ for a job. Regarding volunteering- I did not volunteer in any hospitals which I probably should have.....but its not easy getting a volunteer position either. Most places I spoke with said they have too many volunteers and are not looking for any more, and some said to call back in a few months...
I am so depressed that I feel if I don't get anything soon, I will switch careers and go for something else. Not that I want to since nursing has always been a dream and passion of mine.
My best advice is NETWORK! Figure out anyone you know who is a nurse and try and get your foot in the door with their help. Also revamp your resume, include specific skills you have done in your different clinical rotations, this way your future employer will see that they don't need to start from square one that you DO have skills! PRACTICE your interview questions, there are millions online (I recommend Johns Hopkins' practice questions- google it). WHEN you land an interview, wear a suit, hair pulled back so it's not distracting, don't bring your pursue...be professional bring a briefcase with multiple copies of your resume ready on professional resume paper.
I also put together a portfolio which included letters of recommendation, transcripts, professional goals, clinical research projects, professional objective, etc.
In your interview focus on teamwork, patient safety and patient advocacy.
Also come up with at least 5 great questions for the nurse manager or HR so they know you are interested and serious about this job.
Lastly, be flexible. I was told that you are 5 jobs away from your dream job. As a new grad in this market you can not afford to be picky. This may mean relocating, working in a clinic, nursing home or a floor you aren't in love with (although, don't tell that to your future nurse manager of course!)
This is coming from someone who will graduate with her BSN this Sat the 19th and I have had 2 interviews and 1 job offer and the other offer still pending. If you have any other questions I am more than willing to share my tips/tricks for landing a job.
This may sound crazy, but I just graduated also and I will be working in the state prison. You might want to check out the prisons and jails. They tend to have a harder time finding nurses. I have worked in the prison before as a pharmacy tech. It is not as scary as you may think!
It is gut wrenching to hear about so many nurses having trouble finding jobs. If you're willing to relocate there are areas of the country where getting a job is much easier and they even advertise for graduates to apply. Best of Luck!
Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
Conniesmith: You are NOT doing anything wrong, it is just a number of things going on in the economy,etc. I do know that a hospital in Atlanta,GA is hiring (they are the largest hospital that delivers babies), I can't remember the name. But maybe you can check that out if you can move. I know the pay is not that much maybe about $30-35 per hour. Hope this helps but don't give up:nurse:
Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
Good for you!! I am glad you had the courage to move here to CA, I too am from the south but came out here as a travel nurse in 2006 and stayed, became a full-time employee.
Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
There is no way a new grad can become a travel nurse or work for an agency!! I came here to CA as a travel nurse with years of experience. AGAIN No WAY can a new grad become a travel nurse. You have to be able to 'hit the floor running", in other words you have to know your nursing skills/knowledge. I don't think a recruiter would be crazy enough to hire a new grad to do a travel assignment. That would be almost suicide.
Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
I agree I worked briefly at a prison in a small southern city. Basically just assessment on new inmates, medication administration, etc. You really don't get to use most of your nursing skills, you may have wound care at times, but that is about it. Best wishes to those looking for work.
I work in LTC as the assistant to the DON. I am an LPN with 42 years experience. As part of the hiring process at work I have learned a few things. We hire new Grads but......orientating a new grad. cost a lot of money and time and then what happens they get some expeirence and they leave so employers are leary. I know it is not easy, even with my expeirence I have been turned down for jobs I would love to have. My advice is be honest if you do not plan to stay forever assure them you will give them a gaurenteed lenght of time tell them your long range plans but you will give your all to them. Then stick to your word. I have hired based on their assurances and they have ended up falling in love with what they do and they stay. Good luck and do not give uup. You are needed.
Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
evidently, everyone knows the situation on hand, however, hold on tight don't give up keep sending your resumes and applying to as many facilities as you can a day, is like fishing one day you'll get your reward. needless to say, keep the faith..as i wish you the very best always in all of your future endeavors...aloha~
I'm on the same boat as you are. In NYC as well. Graduated in Dec 2011, did great in school, worked at top hospital for 5 years during. But got my ADN. And in NYC, just having your ADN is shunned off. I am enrolled for a BSN program in the fall, but that hasn't gotten any attention from employers since they are all focused on Magnet status and experience. I too am losing absolutely all motivation to the point where I question why I want this in the first place - thats bad and I know won't get me far. But I can't help feeling so depressed. I've already got a BS in something else and have been working my tail off for the past 10 years, since I was in HS. And I feel that nothing has paid off. I have also looked into relocating and have sent out a few applications. But not a single call. I just didn't think it would be THIS bad.
I'm not going to tell you don't worry because that's not therapeutic. I will tell you that it's not you...unfortunately it's the market. You seem like you have a lot to offer, the issue is there are a lot of new grads who 1. already have their BSN and 2. there are a lot of new grads who not only have their BSN's, but also have BA's in another field and can come to the nursing field with more than just a nursing education to offer.
It's a tough market and everyone is cramming to try and get into a new grad program, which unfortunately seems to be the only beacon of hope for new grads. Keep at it. Apply everywhere you can. It's really important to keep in mind that with these new grad programs you have to keep a look-out for their requirements because there are a lot of programs that specify how long you could be out of school before you're considered ineligible for their new grad program. I've seen a lot of places where your deadline is a year...after that, you can no longer apply. If there is ANY way you could relocate...do it. Make sure that your ties to NY are worth a potential job because a lot of new grads are moving wherever they can find a job. I have friends that relocated across the country because it was the only place they could find work.
As a recent new grad all I can say is there are jobs out there, so don't let the fear of being unemployed forever defeat you. It's not easy to get them, but they are there. Of the 35 friends that graduated with me Fall 2011...31 have jobs in hospitals and some even had offers before they graduated. Just wanted to throw that in there to give you all some hope. Don't give up~~
Wnurses
19 Posts
My best advice is NETWORK! Figure out anyone you know who is a nurse and try and get your foot in the door with their help. Also revamp your resume, include specific skills you have done in your different clinical rotations, this way your future employer will see that they don't need to start from square one that you DO have skills! PRACTICE your interview questions, there are millions online (I recommend Johns Hopkins' practice questions- google it). WHEN you land an interview, wear a suit, hair pulled back so it's not distracting, don't bring your pursue...be professional bring a briefcase with multiple copies of your resume ready on professional resume paper.
I also put together a portfolio which included letters of recommendation, transcripts, professional goals, clinical research projects, professional objective, etc.
In your interview focus on teamwork, patient safety and patient advocacy.
Also come up with at least 5 great questions for the nurse manager or HR so they know you are interested and serious about this job.
Lastly, be flexible. I was told that you are 5 jobs away from your dream job. As a new grad in this market you can not afford to be picky. This may mean relocating, working in a clinic, nursing home or a floor you aren't in love with (although, don't tell that to your future nurse manager of course!)
This is coming from someone who will graduate with her BSN this Sat the 19th and I have had 2 interviews and 1 job offer and the other offer still pending. If you have any other questions I am more than willing to share my tips/tricks for landing a job.