Worried About Finding RN Job After Graduation

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I'm about to graduate this May with my ADN and I'm starting to get really nervous about landing my first RN position...

I live in Arkansas and although the market for new RNs is tough, I don't think it's as tough as everywhere else in the country and think I have a fair shot. I've been working as a nursing assistant since last year and I've been invited for induction into the honor society for my class. I've applied for one residency (but it's a Magnet hospital and they prefer BSNs so I'm trying not to get my hopes up).

The hospital where I work only hires BSNs as new grads but will consider ADNs if we're current employees but it's not "guaranteed" ... I've heard a lot of people talk about applying for jobs way before graduation but how? On a lot of sites it asks if you have an RN license and I have to say no (because I don't have one... yet) then I'm out of the running for the position? I feel totally helpless! I don't want to wait until I graduate to get a job because I need work ASAP. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!

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I'm in the same boat here in South Carolina, although hiring ADN doesn't seem to be a problem here in SC. A lot of hospitals and other places ask that you work towards your BSN with a certain time period. I would go ahead and get your resume ready and submit some applications your resume will let them know that your a soon to be graduate and your trying to seek employment after graduation. The dean of nursing told me to go ahead and get myself out there. I currently work at the state health dept. and they may be willing to work with me to work as an RN with my ADN with the promise of getting my BSN with a certain time period. Good Luck with your hunt, help all goes well and Congrats on Honor Society. Class of May '14 Represent.:nurse:

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Thanks! Glad to know I'm not alone. Maybe I need to move to SC! Have you been sending out resumes and applying? Any word back from any applications? Hopefully you can find work at the Health Dept. Good luck with your hunt!!! :)

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

I'm in WI and applying before graduation and sometimes even before NCLEX will get you nothing. So I just waited because I didn't want to apply to jobs and yen have them closed to me after graduation because I'd already applied.

Be open to things other than the tradition idea of the hospital, LTC, sub acute, etc

I'm an ADN grad and passed NCLEX in Feb and already have a really really good lead, interview and references done with a hospital.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

If you haven't already, start making connections everywhere you can. Do you know the nurse managers where you were doing clinicals? Do you have any friends who are nurses who would advocate for you? Are you on LinkedIn? Have you started applying for jobs? Will your hospital hire ADNs if you will pursue a BSN? What about nontraditional RN positions?

I am graduating in May, and I have a job offer in the San Francisco Bay Area (one of the toughest markets in the US) because I spoke up with the nurse manager. I'm also going to talk to my old boss at an old job about an RN position working for her. You are your own best advertising! I'm also applying to everything I'd consider, including commuting.

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Specializes in ER.

Talk to the hospital recruiter or HR on the policy for soon-to-be new grads. Some will say put down your expected license date in the license field. Others will say leave it blank.

I would begin applying as soon as possible. I would also begin looking at all hospitals and finding out their preferences for when new grads should apply. A lot of my classmates still have not found a job. Talk to your managers too. I think maybe 20 out of 100+ students have found a job. Also, you need to remember that your school is not the only nursing school graduating students so try and be as competitive as possible.

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Actually I got a call this week from a hospital I had applied to, I was offered a position as an extern and a position on the same floor which is Peds once I graduate. I'm very very very excited about this opportunity :woot:!!!! Good Luck on your hunt!!!! And SC isn't to to far for AR, lol!!!!! Keep me posted.

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That's so exciting! Congratulations! I actually just got offered a full time with benefits RN position for central staffing at a big, respected medical center here in Little Rock. I couldn't be more thankful. I guess it really helps to apply ahead of the masses.

Any advice for new RN grads - apply for RN positions ahead of the game! Lots of facilities are willing to work with new grads and know you can't actually start work till you graduate and get a temporary license.

Thank you everyone for your advice!

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One of my friends graduated among the top of her class (doesn't mean too much, I guess) but it took her about three months and twenty-something applications to get a job; it's on the surgical unit.

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Honestly, I was unsure about how to go about applying ahead of time as well. I did my research. I focused my time on applying for graduate nurse positions and contacting the individual HR's for how they prefer I go about submitting applications. I've got a few interviews lined up :-) Fingers crossed!! It'd be awesome to graduate with a few offers on the table. ((Most of my classmates are waiting until after they pass boards to apply -- their loss!))

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Good luck! :nurse:

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congratulations to all of you!!!

here in nyc it's been a tough battle for new grads, even with getting an interview. I have had two and crossing my fingers.

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