What are you supposed to do when even GN residencies and internships reject you?

oluchika · Jul 17, 2012

I completely understand. I applied for other positions as well and I received rejection letters stating that I am only eligible for their graduate nurse program. But if I can't get hired through a graduate nurse program, how am I supposed to gain experience so that I can be able to apply to the regular positions later on? It's frustrating.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 17, 2012

OP to add to your story, I know of a nurse today who received her Externship and a spot in a New Grad Residency Program as a Student Nurse despite submitted her applications to both programs late! I know because I helped her fill out her applications after the deadlines, per the request of her supervisor, who was also one of my clinical instructors. I know that this does not sound fair to you, but the hiring manger asked me to help her out because she was a good tech on the unit and everyone on her unit loved her!

With that said, OP and others: Some of your classmates who seem like academic failures are landing jobs because he/she succeeded in another area of the job search arena. More than likely those classmates have friends who recommended him/her to the hiring managers and/or recruiter’s in-person. I know that this may be a surprise to you since you did not go into nursing thinking that who-you-know-in-nursing will matter over what-you-know as a nurse, but unfortunately it does when seeking a job.

In fact, although I had a good reputation for academic success and hard work when I was a Student Nurse and a New Grad, I landed my externships and to residency because of who I knew too. In addition, almost all of the nursing positions I have received throughout my nursing career were based upon who I knew. Thus, do not stop working hard and representing yourself the best way you can, but be sure to get to know people (Nurses) that are connected to future employment opportunities. Good Luck.

Melissa0181 · Jul 17, 2012

I understand your frustration since I applied to multiple GN/Internship programs as soon as I graduated but apparently that was too late since all I got were rejection emails. Since that didn't seem like an option I applied for every RN 1 position I could find no matter what hospital or specialty. I was lucky enough to receive a phone call from a hospital recruiter about attending a job fair where I was able to interview with a director of nursing for an acute rehab hospital. A second interview followed a few days later and then the formal offer of employment. It seems like new grad jobs are HARD to come by especially depending on your area but don't give up. My best advice - apply for everything and anything. You're sure to get a lot of rejections but all you need is one hiring manager to take a chance on you. Good luck and hang in there.

missdirection928 · Jul 18, 2012

Just got my second rejection letter today from a major hospital, this time from their fall residency program. I thought I did my application, resume, and cover letter well, but apparently it wasn't done well enough. :sigh: One of my friends didn't get it either. The thing is that I told one of my classmates during break for class one day and she applied during class and got a call back. The "full concentration while I'm at home" method didn't work. Not trying to pull rank, but it seems like the people who have failed and repeated classes are getting more opportunity than people who did well the first time around. I don't understand what is wrong. Getting discouraged because other than that residency, there are no other jobs.

I feel your pain. I applied for an externship and was interviewed for the position. It was a group interview and one of my classmates was in the interview with me. I have an outstanding GPA and got great recommendations from my clinical instructors and my full time instructors. I was not in competition with any of the other students in the interview. The student from my class that I interviewed with had failed her second semester once before and this was her second attempt. This student was arrogant and overly confident during the interview making remarks about us being in a BSN program while everyone else in the interview was ADN. I was told I would receive a letter either way if I had received the position or was declined. I didn't receive anything and upon calling the HR contact, I was notified that my paperwork had been mixed in with the graduate group and not for the extern. The HR contact said that she would contact me with a tech position when one became available. I didn't hear from her so I went to her office to discuss any options I might have. While discussing opportunities, the student from my interview came in to turn in her paperwork because she did get the externship. She failed her second semester and got the job. I was more than discouraged.

I still have one year left of school and I have decided that the best option for me is to move once I graduate. One of the most disappointing things about the small city that I live in is that you have to know someone to get a job. I did not grow up in this city and my connections don't range very far from my husbands family and a few good friends(none of which are remotely connected to the medical world) I'm hopeing that a move to the big city will help tone down the know someone who knows someone who knows someone. I've done it before in Boston with great results. I was hired for an excellent job because it was clear I had the skills and personality for their team and not because I knew Betty's Sister in Law's Uncle Bob. It will still take a lot of hard work and determination but I know that I will be perfectly qualified to find a job.

Keep your head up and continue to apply! I hope that you find something soon!