What am I doing wrong??

ladawn reeves · May 17, 2012

try home care. and then work ur way up. sorry abt my typos im sleepy i have been studying but this post caught my eye. i do know in the state of pa and oh which where im from is booming with jobs. if u did consider moving, have you thought about being a travel nurse?

gardenfan · May 17, 2012

I am just a pre nursing student. this post is very depressing but thanks for the reality check. can you apply for CNA ? once you are in you can easy to apply for Rn? is this even possible ?

Patti_RN · May 17, 2012

I suspect you're applying for every job you see listed--in other words, you're casting your net too wide. Because it's so easy to copy/ paste/ send resumes online, applicants believe they are busy applying for jobs when they are sitting at their computers sending generic resumes out to 50 employers each day.

You need to decide what you want. "I'll take anything" makes you sound like you're not focused. What were you interested in in nursing school? (The only exception is don't try for a job in peds or L&D--typically you need years of experience before you can land one of those jobs, so you're wasting your time.) But, if you liked cardiac stuff, were good at reading EKGs, and you enjoyed being on a telemetry floor, craft your resume to those jobs. Your resume should look like it's focused on whatever specialty you're interested in. Then network--ask your instructors, ask nurses you know, call the hospitals, and find out if they're looking for nurses. Whatever you choose, make that your 'dream job' and communicate to everyone that this is what you want to do. Managers love enthusiasm. Be enthusiastic.

Spend time volunteering. Get ALS. Take a class that is connected somehow to your 'dream job'. Ask at the hospital if you can sit in on CE classes (they often involve free food!) While you're there, shake hands and introduce yourself to others around you. Tell them you're hoping to land your 'dream job' in ortho, oncology or whatever you chose. Have business cards made up with your name, phone number, email and on the other side that you're looking for your dream job it... Pull out all the stops and don't be afraid of looking ridiculous. Take risks. Get your name and face out there. All those electronic resumes haven't done you much good, have they?

One of the best volunteer opportunities is working in a hospital. Sometimes you can get a volunteer position delivering mail or supplies to various floors. This is the perfect networking position. You show up on time two days a week, you meet lots of nurses and managers, and over weeks you share your story with them--that you're a new RN grad who really wants to work at that hospital and you're hoping to find a position.

Don't be shy and don't be obnoxious, either. Be professional, polite, and confident.

Good luck to all!

halfpast · May 17, 2012

I am a graduate of a BSN program last May 2011. I do have some advice for you and all the others graduating and in nursing school. While still in nursing school, get a job as a nurse's aide, PCA, CNA, Tech, NA, whatever you can get. Preferably in a hospital on a med/surg floor or floor that would hire a new grad. Every student that I graduated with that worked in a hospital as an aide, was hired as a nurse there. Many of the students that didn't have a job in the nursing field are still searching.

From what I've seen, if you work on the floor and graduate, as long as you work hard, are friendly/compatible with the team members, and seem somewhat competent, they WILL hire you. I've seen it happen for the grads of 2010, 2011 (myself), and we just hired 2 new grads for 2012 that just graduated, and we all worked on the floor as PCAs first.

Can't stress it enough how important it is to get your foot in the door. Why would they hire someone from the outside, when they have someone here and willing who they know is going to be reliable?

I know it's easier said than done, but that's basically the only trick I have up my sleeve to share with ya'll.

Good luck, and hang in there :rolleyes:

Patti_RN · May 17, 2012

Halfpast's advice sounds absolutely logical, and it's something I've suggested to those in nursing school. But, I've read just the opposite from others on this board. They complain that they finish nursing school and their employer doesn't hire them for open RN positions! It doesn't make sense, but with so many comments claiming the same thing I have to believe it can happen.

There is no guaranteed path to finding a job. What works for one may not work for the next person. What does work is not giving up and putting in the best effort you can. Make finding a job your full-time job.

And, for the record, if given a choice between two applicants: one who worked for me as a CNA and one who didn't--I'd pick the CNA virtually every time... unless they were lazy, unreliable, or otherwise a marginal employee--come to think of it, maybe that's the reason those people didn't get jobs as RNs after graduating....

ToughingItOut · May 17, 2012

I relocated for my first job due to this horrendous hiring situation. Networking is key. Find out who the unit's nurse manager is and email her directly (it helps if you have a connection). My nursing school director told me to look into dialysis programs and jobs... I think there were a lot in Florida. My unit (maybe my hospital?) hires often if anyone is desperate and willing to relocate. It's worth a shot.

littlenurse21 · May 17, 2012

Halfpast's advice sounds absolutely logical, and it's something I've suggested to those in nursing school. But, I've read just the opposite from others on this board. They complain that they finish nursing school and their employer doesn't hire them for open RN positions! It doesn't make sense, but with so many comments claiming the same thing I have to believe it can happen.
There is no guaranteed path to finding a job. What works for one may not work for the next person. What does work is not giving up and putting in the best effort you can. Make finding a job your full-time job.
And, for the record, if given a choice between two applicants: one who worked for me as a CNA and one who didn't--I'd pick the CNA virtually every time... unless they were lazy, unreliable, or otherwise a marginal employee--come to think of it, maybe that's the reason those people didn't get jobs as RNs after graduating....

I happen to be one of those that worked, graduated, and employer won't hire me. My situation is slightly different. I work at a top NYC hospital for the past 5 years while I obtained my ADN. I am an excellent employee. Many of the doctors and nurses here are outraged that they won't hire one of their "own". The hospitals reason being that they are currently in the process of applying for magnet status and have strictly shut down the doors on all ADNs. Additionally, I worked on the outpatient floor, so I didn't come into much contact with the nurse managers. In retrospect, my error was that I should have networked with them during the process. I know many nurses and MDs, but really should have cut down to the nurse managers so that they could recognize my dedication. Now, I don't know if I should look elsewhere outside of NYC or stay at my hospital while I wait to get a BSN; which will take another year. I'm not comfortable with the idea of not doing anything with my license.

Nurse Connie · May 17, 2012

I am in exactly the same boat, except I graduated in January. It's tough here in NYC. I thought about NJ too, but right now I don't even have the $200 to apply for reciprocity in NJ! I can't relocate, I am a single mom with 2 kids and my parents help me out & I need to help them out too. I will be working a few weeks this summer at a camp and also got hired for a flu shot clinic, but that doesn't start until August. And I have quite a few contacts in hospitals, VNSNY, etc and still nothing. To top it off, my dad has been diagnosed with gastric cancer and will be starting chemo next week. At least I'll be able to help him. I'm trying so hard not to get discouraged and fall into a funk, but it's hard.

I just got called for an interview for a pediatric homecare agency. They train you in trach/vent/IV care and the pay is decent. My sister-in-law did this for many years and she said it was great experience. I'll let you know how it goes.

Patti_RN · May 17, 2012

@sgm; I certainly didn't mean to offend you or anyone else. For the life of me, I could never understand those posts from people who worked somewhere, then weren't hired when they became RNs. Now I understand.

Six or seven years ago, all you needed was an RN's license and a pulse and you had a job. They were promising jobs and high wages for nurses of all levels. Many experts were predicting such a dire shortage of nurses that it would be impossible to fill half of those positions. I remember nurses being offered triple pay PLUS a $500 bonus per shift to take last minute shifts that couldn't be filled (At the time that was over $1,400 for an 8 hour shift!) I also remember nurses turning them down because they would have 6 or 8 patients, or they had just accepted three of those days the previous week and were exhausted. So much has changed in so little time. But, these things do go in cycles; as soon as there is a shortage the masses pour in to learn those jobs--then there are more trained people than jobs to fill.

littlenurse21 · May 17, 2012

Patti-

I definitely didn't find it offensive at all. Definitely didn't take it personally. There are many situations and stories out there. Even after my explanation above, the other MDs and RNs still find it crazy.. that they'd pay for my ADN and that I'm here for 5 years [vested] and have not given me even a chance. Its disheartening! I'm definitely hurt by it because of my work and dedication that I've put into this place. Either way, thanks for all the input... hearing someones concern or understanding makes me feel slightly better.