Who is hiring newly licensed RNs in Missouri right now (2014)?

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I have reviewed several other threads related to my question, but i can't find one that accurately discusses the current labor market in St. Louis, Missouri. I have kept a job log of all the positions I have applied to and I am on application #40. Here are the details: I graduated with an AAS in December 2013. I already started taking BSN classes. I have no experience. I already passed NCLEX. I have applied to BJH, SLUH, Mercy, SSM and Delmar Gardens. I have had 3 phone interviews, 1 face-to-face interview and 1 shadowing experience. I have received no offers. I have had my resume professionally reviewed by 3 different people (in HR, nursing and school). The positions I am applying to are: General Medicine, Heart/Vascular, Oncology, GI/colorectal, and Long-term Care. These are my questions: Who is REALLY hiring new grads in the St. Louis area? How many months did it take you to find a job? How many applications did you send out? What was your first job? How did you "wow" them into hiring you? Any answers will be greatly appreciated.

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And yes - I am already well aware that first priority goes to the Techs that just graduated. Since they already have experience and know people on the inside, that makes sense. But I want to know from people who came in from the outside - how did you do it?

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I'll be following this post with interest since I'll be graduating with my AAS in May and moving to St. Louis right after. I've already submitted a couple dozen applications but, of course, have heard nothing. Sorry I can't be of more assistance! I hate hearing that it's 'who you know'. I don't know anyone nor do I have tech/CNA experience. Where would I find the time?

Good luck!

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Exactly! Nursing school is amazingly challenging as it is (especially if you add kids to the mix). Several of the individuals that DID work as Techs ended up failing and being held back a semester or two. Kudos to anyone that worked as a tech and made it through nursing school without failing a single semester. You definitely deserve your RN job. I think there were probably 3 in my class.

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

This is the reality of the job market in STL: https://allnurses.com/nursing-first-job/help-new-grad-901536.html

My best advice is to look at rural hospitals or non-acute settings. It was said that BJC is on a hiring freeze, but I have no inside knowledge of that. It's not easy for new grads anywhere at this point.

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Specializes in ER.

I graduated in Dec 2013 with an AAS as well. I live in southeast Illinois. I have applied for about 100 ish positions. I recently got my ACLS and PALS trying to make myself look better on paper hoping to have a fighting chance for just one of these positions, on top of those certifications I also got my Missouri license. I have applied for jobs at hospitals primarily, for a 2 hour driving radius of where I live. I have a nurse friends in high places that have put in good words, emailed the hospital directors- none of this seems to make a difference. Like you, I have only had three phone calls, three interview (VA, and 2 long term care). I started at a nursing home this week, NOT my first pick of jobs but I have to get the experience time clock moving. Every facility wants to have experienced nurses but no one wants to give us the opportunity to gain the needed experience. The only possible advice I can offer is to take what you can get and continue to pursue the jobs you really want. I wish things were different for us new grads. Any advice on Amber's thread will be EXTREMELY appreciated my many. Thank you in advance.

Keep your head up and remember your not alone on this fight.

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

I don't have any specific advice in regards to the St. Louis job market. However, one has to find a way to stand out among the masses when it comes to interviewing and hiring. Continuing education (beyond ACLS and PALS) and experiences in pursuit of your nursing interests will be key. Network, attend conferences, volunteer, learn a second language, enroll in a BSN/MSN program, whatever will help you stand out at hiring time. This is why I'm not a big fan of the ACLS/PALS route for new grads - every new grad gets these certs and they mean little without experience to back them up. Find other ways to make use of your money beyond ACLS/PALS. If possible, be willing to relocate as well.

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Yay! Immediately after posting this, I started getting calls and going on interviews! I start my new job in a couple weeks!

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Congratulations on getting hired!

I graduated this past November, and got licensed in December. I applied to so many positions that it was difficult to keep up on what I applied, and didn't apply to.

The sad part is, I sorta turned away two possible jobs in hopes of securing the position I wanted originally (Med/Surg). I had one hospital ask me to come apply for the ER (which, at the time, I was nervous to start my first nursing job in the ER), and I missed an open house to another facility in which 5 of my classmates got hired on the spot.

I eventually got hired at a local nursing home, and though it wasn't my first pick, it wasn't the worst job in the world. In a LTC facility (long term care), you gain some experiences that you may not otherwise procure from a hospital setting. I had 3 days of orientation, and then I was on my own as charge nurse in my hall, with 58 residents under me.

I thought it was neat, though, being in charge. Anything that happened in my hall, I was responsible. That gives you a great deal of time management experience, as well as boosting your verbal report skills. However, this wasn't an acute care nursing home, or, at least my hall wasn't. So, many nursing skills I busted my hump learning through out school didn't get used there. I had two residents with PEG tubes, and beyond that, it was just giving narcs, and insulin.

Again, it wasn't a terrible job, and you really get to know your residents well, which is neat really. But I couldn't refuse, nor could I stay my excitement, when I got the phone call to come interview in a hospital setting, on a Med/Surg floor (exactly what I wanted to do).

I got hired, and since then, I've been ecstatic. I absolutely love my job. The experiences, the people, the setting, it's just awesome.

The point of the story is, there are jobs out there, and there is always the opportunity to seize the position you've always wanted. You just have to be patient, keep applying, and take those opportunities as soon as they come.

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Congratulations on getting hired!

I graduated this past November, and got licensed in December. I applied to so many positions that it was difficult to keep up on what I applied, and didn't apply to.

The sad part is, I sorta turned away two possible jobs in hopes of securing the position I wanted originally (Med/Surg). I had one hospital ask me to come apply for the ER (which, at the time, I was nervous to start my first nursing job in the ER), and I missed an open house to another facility in which 5 of my classmates got hired on the spot.

I eventually got hired at a local nursing home, and though it wasn't my first pick, it wasn't the worst job in the world. In a LTC facility (long term care), you gain some experiences that you may not otherwise procure from a hospital setting. I had 3 days of orientation, and then I was on my own as charge nurse in my hall, with 58 residents under me.

I thought it was neat, though, being in charge. Anything that happened in my hall, I was responsible. That gives you a great deal of time management experience, as well as boosting your verbal report skills. However, this wasn't an acute care nursing home, or, at least my hall wasn't. So, many nursing skills I busted my hump learning through out school didn't get used there. I had two residents with PEG tubes, and beyond that, it was just giving narcs, and insulin.

Again, it wasn't a terrible job, and you really get to know your residents well, which is neat really. But I couldn't refuse, nor could I stay my excitement, when I got the phone call to come interview in a hospital setting, on a Med/Surg floor (exactly what I wanted to do).

I got hired, and since then, I've been ecstatic. I absolutely love my job. The experiences, the people, the setting, it's just awesome.

The point of the story is, there are jobs out there, and there is always the opportunity to seize the position you've always wanted. You just have to be patient, keep applying, and take those opportunities as soon as they come.

That's so wonderful!!! I will start Lutherans Lpn to Rn bridge August ....I work in a Acute Care rehab hospital.... I learn a lot day by day since passing lpn boards last June. I'm just in total shock that you were hired at a hospital with a Rn diploma!!! You here so much about unlimited opportunities with those only with BSN titles behind their names. Wow

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