Yet another unemployed new grad..

U.S.A. Georgia

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.

I feel your pain!! :( I graduated in May, passed my boards in June and I have applied everywhere within a one hour drive from my house and still nothing. It is so depressing because I am a single mother with bills to pay. I never imagined it would be this hard. Good luck to you!!!

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Specializes in Cath Lab & Interventional Radiology.

Perhaps you could have someone look over your resume/cover letter? Do you change each one of those for the positions that you are applying for? Study the core values of the facility you are applying, and tailored each letter with those values in mind. Don't be super corny or obvious about it, but rather more discrete. Read the job description, and illustrate how you meet the listed criteria with examples. If you have been mostly applying to hospitals, maybe look into LTC facilities. You will get some experience that will be very marketable to the hospital environment. (time management, prioritization, delegation, nursing skills) I graduated in December 2011, and started a job in short term rehab unit Feb 1. A mere two months later, I landed a job on a cardiac step down unit. There is hope out there! I wish you well! Good LUCK!!!

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Specializes in Surgical/Stepdown, Home Care.
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

So students shouldn't try in nursing school? They shouldn't be proud of putting in the work and getting good grades in a difficult program? That "nursing school highest gpa crap" actually does matter in a lot of places, thank you very much - here in Philadelphia, even with your BSN, most of the hospitals will toss your resume as a new grad if you didn't pull over a 3.5.

Having a high GPA doesn't mean that you think you're smarter than anybody else. It doesn't mean that you're going to start on a floor and cowboy it up because you think you're "that darn good." It means that you put a hell of a lot of effort into getting through your nursing program and you were fortunate enough to have it reflect in your grades. Your condescending reply contributed precisely zero to the OP's post, very nice.

fposey - I don't know the market in Georgia, but it seems like a lot of ADNs/Diplomas are having difficulty in areas where hospitals are shooting for Magnet status (thus drawing them to BSN candidates, if they even hire new grads). I'd enroll in a BSN program online if you can, and then put on your resume that you're in the program and your estimated completion date.

Also, if relocation is an option for you, there are places that are hiring new grads pretty frequently. North Dakota and Colorado are two I've heard about, but if relocation is viable for you, it might not hurt to put your resume up on Monster and see what bites you can get. Best of luck to you.

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Just keep at it! Apply everywhere you can. I think that many hospitals today want "experienced" nurses, which is a huge problem if you are a new grad. I say take a job at a nursing home if you have to. Experience does help. Good luck!

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Long term care, Life Care Centers specifically, a great employer who takes on and trains new grads.

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I am a new grad too and the job market doesn't help matters much. You just have to go out there and pound the pavement. I literally googled any kind of healthcare around where I live and took my resume to them. I did this for about 10 days straight and today it payed off!! I got a full time job as a hospice nurse, which is what I have always wanted to do :). Happy day in this house hold---and it will be for you too soon, just gotta keep your head up!

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Specializes in Focusing on Epidemiology.

Look at Traveling Nurses, Veterans Administration, Agency Nursing Staffing Companies to get experience. Where are u located at? Houston and Galveston Area have plenty of jobs in Texas.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.
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

I am certain most people know that a high GPA does not automatically get you a job. A high GPA in school certainly helps an RN get into a decent BSN program or a competitive MSN program. GPA matters when the RN aspires for advancement. Congrats on the 3.7 fposey and keep trying. GOOD LUCK!!

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Here is the hidden gem that a lot of nurses do not think about try corrections the pay is pretty decent it will pay the bills till something comes along and it is not a bad place to work on your assessment skills and getting answers by questioning your clients best of luck to you

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
Here is the hidden gem that a lot of nurses do not think about try corrections the pay is pretty decent it will pay the bills till something comes along and it is not a bad place to work on your assessment skills and getting answers by questioning your clients best of luck to you

I totally agree!

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I totally agree!

Another vote for corrections - and they hire frequently (better pay than SNF's too...at least the ones around here). Luck to you. Get out there and SELL yourself, in person to the HR/hiring manager on a weekly basis...this works. Trust me.

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

Sorry my comment came off as condesending and harsh regarding the gpa. Yes a GPA is important when furthering your education. My point is the gpa dosent usually matter, 9 times outta 10 when trying to secure employment as evidenced by fposey's post. I feel that many new grads feel that an above avg gpa give him/her a leg up when attempting getting a job, is all I am saying, and It dosent matter. Usually having above avg grades in any program is a must or you will be out. If fposey keeps the faith, a job will come along.

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