Yet another unemployed new grad..

Published

Well it's official...I am one of those new grads that just CANNOT get a job (or an interview for that matter). I graduated in May with an ADN, had a 3.7 GPA, worked for 4 years as a tech and never thought I would be in this position. Part of the problem is that I moved to a new state where I have no contacts immediately after graduating (to be closer to family). I have applied to every new grad position and residency I can find but haven't gotten so much as a nibble. I have also tried other positions that don't specify experience. I spend 4-5 hours a day looking for and applying for jobs.

I have no money in my bank account. I just got an offer from Mollen to do flu shot clinics but have heard it's almost impossible to get hours. I am so discouraged. What am I doing wrong?! Where else can I look? I am open to do just about anything. I have thought about looking into Dr. offices but I know that most don't use RN's anymore and I don't even know where to begin looking for something like that! I have tried craigslist and it's not looking good.

Any advice? any connections you can offer?

Sorry for the long rant.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

Hey have you tried indeed.com, craigslist, the county health department, LTC, agency work( brightstar or healthcare staffing). I was hired for a school nurse position by healthcare but I declined. Brightstar has quad home cases, ALF work, hospice. How about amedysis(I work here) or interim they are home health agencies.

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Sorry to hear you're in a rough spot. The best thing I can suggest is to just keep looking. Maybe have someone look over your resume and cover letters to see if they need to be changed around. You could also try to get add'l certifications like IV start skills, ACLS, 12-lead EKG to improve your overall resume. Lastly, you could volunteer...or maybe consider going back to school to get the BSN?

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I was unemployed for six months after graduating Magna Cum Laude from a respected nursing program. It truly does suck. I picked up and moved my entire life to San Antonio, TX and had a job within three weeks of applying.

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Specializes in Palliative Care.

The job market is currently lousy for nurses - it isn't you. I agree that adding training like ACLS, PALS, IV starts, etc, will make you more attractive to future employers. I'd also look at volunteering at a local hospital or anywhere within a healthcare system (hospice volunteering, for instance). Anything that can get you a connection or allow for networking is good. Also, track down nurse managers in person if there's *any* way possible. I drove out to a hospital that had 2 job openings I was interested in and walked up to the HUC, asked for the unit manager, and handed my resume, cover letter, and letters of reference there in person. I got an interview this way that would have never come my way, though I didn't end up getting the job. Anything that gets you noticed by the person who could hire you is worth a try.

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mmm, post on reddit, if it gets enough upvotes something might hit, worth a shot (the magic of the internets and all)

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Specializes in Managed Care, Onc/Neph, Home Health.

Why do you new grads think 4.0 GPA's will get you jobs?????? All that competitiveness dosen't really matter huh? I am not being mean, but nursing schools which have all these great expectations of making it so difficult to get in, and making one think they are smarter than everybody else, to have that 4.0 to get in, then to get your bubble popped when you can't land a job after graduating. Seems your A's are no better than the C's. Just hang in there, and get off that nursing school highest gpa crap of "who's the smartest always win" mentality. Welcome to the real world.....most employers do not care about your GPA

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, EHR, HH, Nursing Management.

I read these stories EVERYDAY on www.allnurses.com and it hurts my heart!!! :-(

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Specializes in Med/Surg and Home Health.

I feel your pain. I graduated in July 2011 and just started a job this week with a hospital. Granted, I didn't move to a new city/state but it still took me an entire year to find a job. All I did was apply to EVERY and I literally mean EVERY RN position I was qualified for. I went on countless interviews and nothing ever came of them.

I ended up working for a home health agency back in Nov. 2011 just because I needed SOMETHING for income. I don't recommend it for new grads because you are on your own with little to no support, but if you're confident than I would say go with that option for now just to get some experience and a little money coming in. I also will be doing the shot clinics with Mollen. Still attempt to get shifts, every little bit helps :)

Stay positive and persistent. I would also call the nurse recruiter for where ever I applied to check the status of my application. Most hospitals these days are doing online applications. The problem with that is that there is no face to face contact with HR or the hiring managers. So the system will automatically deny your application (for whatever reason). So apply on line and the next day or the day after follow up with a phone call or actually go down to the facility to directly talk with HR. If you don't know who the nurse recruiter is, just call the main switchboard and ask for HR and then ask for the nurse recruiter.

Good luck with your job search!

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Well it's official...I am one of those new grads that just CANNOT get a job (or an interview for that matter). I graduated in May with an ADN, had a 3.7 GPA, worked for 4 years as a tech and never thought I would be in this position. Part of the problem is that I moved to a new state where I have no contacts immediately after graduating (to be closer to family). I have applied to every new grad position and residency I can find but haven't gotten so much as a nibble. I have also tried other positions that don't specify experience. I spend 4-5 hours a day looking for and applying for jobs. I have no money in my bank account. I just got an offer from Mollen to do flu shot clinics but have heard it's almost impossible to get hours. I am so discouraged. What am I doing wrong?! Where else can I look? I am open to do just about anything. I have thought about looking into Dr. offices but I know that most don't use RN's anymore and I don't even know where to begin looking for something like that! I have tried craigslist and it's not looking good. Any advice? any connections you can offer? Sorry for the long rant.
Sorry you are having such a hard time. Have you tried applying to hospitals, SNF's, Dr offices, etc in towns/cities outside your immediate home town?? Dr offices do still use RN's and you should never limit yourself as to where you apply for work as a new grad. Have you taken/passed your NCLEX yet? Until you are actually licensed you may have more difficulty. Don't give up and don't forget to check out any surgical centers in the araA to see if they need help. Even part time is better than no time and getting your foot in a door is the first step. Good luck.
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Specializes in Palliative Care.
Why do you new grads think 4.0 GPA's will get you jobs?????? Welcome to the real world.....most employers do not care about your GPA

fposey mentioned 4 years experience as a tech before graduating as well as a higher GPA. I didn't get the impression that there was any expectation of an automatic job because of higher grades, just a general vent that it's really hard to get a job as a new grad right now. The real world at the moment is a hard place to find job as a new nurse.

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Specializes in Trauma, Med/surg, CM, UM,.

Hi fposey,

I am sorry you are having such a difficult time finding a job. Years ago when I graduated as an ADN things were the opposite. I have been very blessed in my career and still have only my associates degree. I work in MDS now, and am writing to you to offer an idea. I never thought I would ever work in a SNF but after moving several states away and applying for several positions at the local major medical center I chose the SNF I am at because of the position. Since I started there 1.5 years ago I have seen countless new grads in your same position. At my SNF we interview new grads from out of state a lot, both Associate degreed and Bachelor degreed. I am finding that a new grad is still a new grad. At a SNF there tends to be a little more turnover I think, and is a good place to learn some basic skills. We still have our pick of best and hire a lot of RN's because our facility only had a couple when the new director took over just before I was hired. It was staffed by almost all LVN's and C.N.A.'s. Once we hire an RN (new grad) we ask but dont require a one year commitment from them. The director then helps with getting them into other positions within the acute care hospital system we are associated with. It works out great for both parties that way. Just a thought. If you haven't made the rounds of all the SNF's it might be a good idea. Good luck, I hope it works out soon for you

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