New Graduate Nurse

It has been said here before and I will say it again. If you believe that years experience as an LVN will make your job search easier...it won't. Working in the healthcare field helps but it does not guarantee a job at the facility you work for as a CNA, an LVN or in any other capacity in the facility. Or any other facility for that matter. I can back up "hoapres" 100% with getting a good, transferable nursing degree. Many of the hospitals will require minimally bachelor prepared nurses for all of their nursing staff (RNs at least) over the next few years.

I was lucky; I walked into my first job in home health and foot care right after graduating, in fact being offered the job before graduation. And yes it was with the home health agency I had worked for since 2005 as a CNA. But I did not expect it. I graduated in May, passed the NCLEX in June. In fact, I was hired to replace an RN who had given notice. He then had a change of heart and we were heavy in the RN department. But a new project and program offering to clients and doctors has recently launched and my hours are picking up again. But we are still top-heavy in nurses. So I continue to look for opportunities - while working as an RN. That carries more weight than how many years you worked as a CNA or LVN.

I have seen and heard new grad RNs turn down jobs because it was not their dream job. The reality is you never begin at the top with your dream job. You work your way there. And the experience you get along with the credibility while working in that oh so not your dream job will make a difference.

Barbara Beaverton RN in Beaverton, Oregon said:
I have seen and heard new grad RNs turn down jobs because it was not their dream job. The reality is you never begin at the top with your dream job. You work your way there. And the experience you get along with the credibility while working in that oh so not your dream job will make a difference.

I can totally see this happening - but I've also heard quite a bit about the importance of landing acute care at some point in the first year after graduation. I was told this is because if a novice nurse wants to step up from a sub-acute facility to acute care (as their 2nd job) then it is almost a necessity to have previous acute experience - or face the risk of being viewed as a new grad (i.e. "no experience")

I hope I'm wrong about that.

Happy new year's everyone.

He's not from Africa, he's from Hawaii...

People that have that much anger and resentment in their hearts are miserable, period. If it wasn't Obama, it would be something or someone else because that's how it is with people like you. You are an ignorant and miserable person and unless there is a serious shift in your attitude, I expect you will be miserable and whinny for the remainder of your days. What a waste of a way to live ones life. I'm so glad I'm not you!!!

Although this is off the nursing subject......all of you that are upset over the economy: It is not Obama's fault. I'm not a fan of his, but regardless, he stepped into an impossible situation. If you truly feel that there has been injustices done (which there has been), then I suggest you start an action to do something about it. The internet is a perfect medium.

As for the liberals, while I agree with the purity of their idealism, you cannot help the needy without truly imputing taxes on the wealthy. This would mean more government. More goverment breeds corruption, without huge oversight from the population. Big business influence the government, not the people of this nation.

Currently, tax cuts are given to the weathly corporations, with hopes that jobs will be created, but no such dreams have come into reality. The payroll tax cuts are taking money that would normally fund social security. The system is broken.

So instead of making obscene statements or arguing about them...do something about it. I will be the first one in line to help spread the word! This is an election year....make noise!

Well said Jillzs, well said.

Unfortunately, there are those who are very abusive that do post in this forum. I have found that the best move is to report the most offensive comments and not to respond directly to what they have written. For the most part, if they are ignored, their spewing dwindles because they are not getting the attention they want.

Whited in Reading, Pennsylvania said: I think its hilarious that you say go back to Africa....when America is not your home. LIke I don't understand how you think you're so "AMERICAN" and don't even know "your" country's history. We are all technically foreigners. You can't call stolen land your own and then tell everyone else to go home. Just stupid.

That's right and it is so sad to know that this person's spouse is a hospital administrator.

Nursing Student 808 in Honolulu, Hawaii said: What do you mean by AZ is more expensive? Do you mean the schooling?

The license itself has a higher fee to obtain the original license over $300 for Arizona as opposed to a little over $200 for California.

aahill in Wilkinson, Georgia said: That's right and it is so sad to know that this person's spouse is a hospital administrator.

Probably just a complete forum troll - this forum is especially susceptible since it gets a lot of search hits. According to our angry guest's post grammar, their "husband" is a woman. That being said, I've heard so many anti-healthcare statements coming from hospital admins, that it almost seems plausible.

Arizona is a compact state though right? That means it's $300 for like 20 states, so that's a bonus.

If you really want the hospital job then you have to be willing to fill out tons of applications and be flexible in where you live! I graduated in Dec '11 and passed the NCLEX a week later and will be starting a hospital position in a few weeks BUT I will be moving more than 150 miles away. I have seen a TON of jobs for new grads they are in home health, nursing homes, and assisted living but people are to busy whining about not being able to find a job because they are not applying for ones they don't want. I worked assisted living and home health and flu clinics to gain experience and even though it's not hospital experience it has gotten my foot in the door of a small community hospital. So everyone needs to buck up and do more then just fill out applications.......you do need to call, email, and go in person. You have to sell yourself for sure!

Nursing Student 808 in Honolulu, Hawaii said: What do you mean by AZ is more expensive? Do you mean the schooling?

The cost of endorsing your license over to Arizona is $300 for two years.

Alexandra Bartow RN in Ellensburg, Washington said: If you really want the hospital job then you have to be willing to fill out tons of applications and be flexible in where you live! I graduated in Dec '11 and passed the NCLEX a week later and will be starting a hospital position in a few weeks BUT I will be moving more than 150 miles away. I have seen a TON of jobs for new grads they are in home health, nursing homes, and assisted living but people are to busy whining about not being able to find a job because they are not applying for ones they don't want. I worked assisted living and home health and flu clinics to gain experience and even though it's not hospital experience it has gotten my foot in the door of a small community hospital. So everyone needs to buck up and do more then just fill out applications.......you do need to call, email, and go in person. You have to sell yourself for sure!

That's great that it got your foot in the door in an acute facility. I've heard a few stories of nurses simply being denied the possibility of moving up to an acute level after working in home-health/SNFs as their first job (new grad).

It's good to know there's still a chance of getting hired at a hospital. That being said, I personally would move ten states away (with the support of my wife) with for a chance at a new-grad residency program at, say, a magnet facility.

Linda in La Jolla, California said: I am thinking of creating a new grad training program for per diem psotion nurses in Perinatal (Labor and Delivery, NICU, Post partum (couplet care), and Antepartum nursing. These would not be benefited positions. Still interestd?

Hi Linda, I am interested in the position. Is it possible if you can email me more info my email add ofel1212@yahoo.

Hi Linda...If you decide to open up that type of training please let me know, for those that already have a license. It would be much easier for them to get into the doors of the hospitals. Ofelia if she answers you, please give myname also.
Ellen
Ellensfuture@aol.com

Linda I am also interested if you do decide to start that program. Please e-mail me at danielle.m.muck@hotmail.com.

People, you might not want to keep your email addresses on this page for long - even if you only use them for business/spam.

Just a friendly suggestion. Good luck with the job searching.

Oakley44 in Henderson, Nevada said: Arizona is a compact state though right? That means it's $300 for like 20 states, so that's a bonus.

Yes, that is correct. Arizona is a party to the compact agreement. It is a deal. :)

Oakley44 in Henderson, Nevada said: Arizona is a compact state though right? That means it's $300 for like 20 states, so that's a bonus.

Yes, that is correct. Arizona is a party to the compact agreement. It is a deal but you must have means to show an "established residence" in order to obtain a multi-state endorsement. (For instance, if my permanent home address is in CA and I apply for my license in AZ I will only get a single state endorsement but if I have a home there (or my Mom or relative has A perm residence that I can claim as a residence part of the year), then I can get the multi-state license. :) Hope that helps.

I graduated on December 2010 and took my boards on March 2011. I passed and thought that I was going to get a job. It is 2012 and I'm still applying. I thank God for everthing He has given me but it is depressing and sad not to be able to do what I love the must!

Teresa From Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I graduated in December and passed the NCLEX in February. Thought for sure that I would be able to get employment. It's been alsmost four months and can't find a job. Is it going to open up soon for new hires?

Apply everywhere you can! I would apply at nursing homes, hospitals, doctor's office, and state facilities (like prisons).

Im tiered of reading about everyone complaining about lack of jobs. who ever got the hook ups in NYC. we dont mind you sharing

Thank you to all who have responded to my questions! :) I have a another question that I am curious about... Is there a way I can shadow a doctor or a nurse anesthetist if I am volunteering at a hospital? Who would I have to talk to?

Thank you to all who responded to my questions! :) I have another question that I am curious about... I am volunteering at a hospital and I wanted to shadow a doctor or nurse anesthetist. Would I be able to shadow one of them since I am only a volunteer? Who would I have to talk to?

WOW, Linda I am also extremely interested and excited about your new grad program in Labor and Delivery, it is my passion. Please email me at wendeee@cox.net

WOW, Hi Linda, I am also interested in your new grad position in Labor and Delivery. Please email me at wendeee@cox.net

Ughhhh I'm sick and tired of applying for jobs every day and not being able to find any! This is ridiculous. Just a few years ago hospitals were bringing foreign nurses into the country and spending billions of dollars to train them and now I can't understand what the hell is going on! Why can't new grads and inexperienced nurses find a job?! I don't know what to do anymore. My life has been a roller coaster of emotions ever since I started looking for a nursing job. Sad ...depressed...discouraged...frustrated ...dissapointed...ughhh!!!

Teresa From Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I graduated in December and passed the NCLEX in February. Thought for sure that I would be able to get employment. It's been alsmost four months and can't find a job. Is it going to open up soon for new hires?

It took me 13 months to get my first nursing job.

Sugarplum in Pasadena, Texas said: Ughhhh I'm sick and tired of applying for jobs every day and not being able to find any! This is ridiculous. Just a few years ago hospitals were bringing foreign nurses into the country and spending billions of dollars to train them and now I can't understand what the hell is going on! Why can't new grads and inexperienced nurses find a job?! I don't know what to do anymore. My life has been a roller coaster of emotions ever since I started looking for a nursing job. Sad ...depressed...discouraged...frustrated ...dissapointed...ughhh!!!

Sugarplum,
Hospitals are still bringing in foreign nurses which just adds to the problem of surplus nurses.

Teresa From Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I graduated in December and passed the NCLEX in February. Thought for sure that I would be able to get employment. It's been alsmost four months and can't find a job. Is it going to open up soon for new hires?

Me too. almost a year . recruiters want th with one year of experience. I lost the faith to some day find a job. I made a mistake choosing nursing. to be R.N. is the worst thing that happens to me. I spent years an money for my bachelors in order to get nothing. and my boy using cloths from other children. no money for rent. and nobody wanted hire my as a CNA because I am RN. I am going to start another bachelors degree in a different field.

scared in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: I have applied at orlando health. They are only hiring BSN. I feel like I made a mistake by giving up a decent job to goto nursing school.

you need to get out of there then it's not your decision that bad its the nature of business in orlando, jacksonville fl gives you more opportunities

luisa said: Me too. almost a year . recruiters want th with one year of experience. I lost the faith to some day find a job. I made a mistake choosing nursing. to be R.N. is the worst thing that happens to me. I spent years an money for my bachelors in order to get nothing. and my boy using cloths from other children. no money for rent. and nobody wanted hire my as a CNA because I am RN. I am going to start another bachelors degree in a different field.

what u could do then is get urself a job as a CNA first you'll hate it maybe, but at least get ur feet in the door as they say, then apply for an RN position when available that way u get introduced to the nature of the nursing job for real forget the clinical sites. i hope that was helpfull

luisa said: Me too. almost a year . recruiters want th with one year of experience. I lost the faith to some day find a job. I made a mistake choosing nursing. to be R.N. is the worst thing that happens to me. I spent years an money for my bachelors in order to get nothing. and my boy using cloths from other children. no money for rent. and nobody wanted hire my as a CNA because I am RN. I am going to start another bachelors degree in a different field.

what u could do then is get urself a job as a CNA first you'll hate it maybe, but at least get ur feet in the door as they say, then apply for an RN position when available that way u get introduced to the nature of the nursing job for real forget the clinical sites. i hope that was helpfull

when going looking for jobs do state that u have a bsn, just apply with nursing assisting license, it happened to my brother, he is an LPN but couldnt get a job coz of 0 experience, so he aapplied in a nursing home as a cna without mentioning that he is LPN, he worked there for 4 months then aaplied for lpn position, they couldnt say no voz he is there employee

luisa said: Me too. almost a year . recruiters want th with one year of experience. I lost the faith to some day find a job. I made a mistake choosing nursing. to be R.N. is the worst thing that happens to me. I spent years an money for my bachelors in order to get nothing. and my boy using cloths from other children. no money for rent. and nobody wanted hire my as a CNA because I am RN. I am going to start another bachelors degree in a different field.

Nursing Homes will hire you. Pharmacy clinics will hire you. These type of sub-acute environments are much more likely to hire a new grad. Recruiters won't touch new grads unless you're able to move...maybe. Don't misrepresent yourself and say you're not a nurse in order to work as a CNA - you don't have to do that. I work as a CNA for a staffing agency. I'll be a nurse (with a BSN) next week.

I don't mean to sound like Dr. Phil but if you appear to be as hopeless as you sound then you won't get past an interview. Use what you have. Do it now or move on to something else.

Alexandra Bartow RN in Ellensburg, Washington said: If you really want the hospital job then you have to be willing to fill out tons of applications and be flexible in where you live! I graduated in Dec '11 and passed the NCLEX a week later and will be starting a hospital position in a few weeks BUT I will be moving more than 150 miles away. I have seen a TON of jobs for new grads they are in home health, nursing homes, and assisted living but people are to busy whining about not being able to find a job because they are not applying for ones they don't want. I worked assisted living and home health and flu clinics to gain experience and even though it's not hospital experience it has gotten my foot in the door of a small community hospital. So everyone needs to buck up and do more then just fill out applications.......you do need to call, email, and go in person. You have to sell yourself for sure!

If you graduated Dec 2011, how can you have gotten assisted living, home health and flu clinics under your belt in less than 2 months? Seems like you have misrepresented yourself. Was that a typographical error?

hearts_and_thoughts in Cleveland, Ohio said: If you graduated Dec 2011, how can you have gotten assisted living, home health and flu clinics under your belt in less than 2 months? Seems like you have misrepresented yourself. Was that a typographical error?

No not a typo. My program was a step program and as soon as I was able I got my LPN and worked the rest of the way through the program as a LPN in assisted living, home health, and flu clinics. Students that don't work at all (in my class at least) have been having a harder time. But a lot of it is being willing to take something you may not like to start gaining assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and delegation skills.

Oakley44 in Henderson, Nevada said: Nursing Homes will hire you. Pharmacy clinics will hire you. These type of sub-acute environments are much more likely to hire a new grad. Recruiters won't touch new grads unless you're able to move...maybe. Don't misrepresent yourself and say you're not a nurse in order to work as a CNA - you don't have to do that. I work as a CNA for a staffing agency. I'll be a nurse (with a BSN) next week.

I don't mean to sound like Dr. Phil but if you appear to be as hopeless as you sound then you won't get past an interview. Use what you have. Do it now or move on to something else.

Very well put! Also if an RN put that they are a CNA, that would be a lie on the application. I am a CNA also and plan to go into the Respiratory Care program. Be blessed!

jjimenez0124@yahoo.com in Miami, Florida said: I graduated on December 2010 and took my boards on March 2011. I passed and thought that I was going to get a job. It is 2012 and I'm still applying. I thank God for everthing He has given me but it is depressing and sad not to be able to do what I love the must!

The job market in Miami is tough. I never thought that finding an RN position in Miami would have been so hard. I graduated in Dec 2009 and I'm still looking. As far as I see it, its not what you know but WHO you know right now that can help you land that RN position. Most everyone I know who got a position right after graduation had parents and really close friends who were already working the floors.
I'm still looking and its been very discouraging to say the least, being rejected going into 3 yrs.
But we have to keep our heads up and hopefully something will pop up.

Teresa From Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I graduated in December and passed the NCLEX in February. Thought for sure that I would be able to get employment. It's been alsmost four months and can't find a job. Is it going to open up soon for new hires?

It's hard after all theses years in school and no jobs after graduation. A lot people went through the same experience including my self and even my son. My son graduate form a nursing school in wisconsin but without any luck finding a job. The issue is some times like, my son, he was looking for the perfect job in a hospital that he likes close to his home. That was hard and he came up with nothing.He applied for a nursing home worked for 1.5 ears then applied for the ajob to the hospital next to his home. He is working now and happy. some times you need to take baby steps like working in a nursing home or a clinic, bulid experience, then you can apply for the Job you want.Check any jobs' openning, nursing homes, clinics, part time even volunteer so you can put your foot in the door. If work is hard to come by in your state, check other states. There is the nursing compact licensing program where you can work as a nurse with same license in 24 states. A list can be found on www.asi-wi.com on page 2. I hope this help. Good luck. Mo

Graduated last year with a BSN at Fresno State, Whoahooo!!! Applied at Saint Agnes, Kaiser, and Fresno Medical Center. All replied, set interviews within 1 week. Got 4 Job offers and I didn't even break a Sweat!!!

I graduated RN in 2009. Took me about a year to find a job. In the meantime, I volunteered at a free clinic for medically underserved clients. The paid position I finally obtained was as a hospice case manager and I had to relocate 200 miles away. Amazingly enough, a year later corporate closed our office down because they weren't making enough money and I was unemployed again, this time for seven months, after which I managed to get a RN supervisor position in long term care. Didn't relocate for this one. It's tough out there but doable. I gave up searching for hospital positions a long time ago.

J_Thao in Fresno, California said: Graduated last year with a BSN at Fresno State, Whoahooo!!! Applied at Saint Agnes, Kaiser, and Fresno Medical Center. All replied, set interviews within 1 week. Got 4 Job offers and I didn't even break a Sweat!!!

That is awesome! Congratulations! What do you think attributed to your success in landing a job? Did you have previous experience? Is your GPA really high? Did you volunteer or was a member of a committee during school? Any information you can provide would be helpful.

Linda in La Jolla, California said: I would want to have local graduates (San Diego, California) because of the high risk nature of such a program. I have hired career new grads from the east coast and, unfortunately, it has been like a revolving door. We train and then 12 -18 months the staff leave and go back to the east coast. This is not cost effective.
Is there anything like this happening on the east coast that you know of? Where is it occurring?

I am interested. I moved only for school and plan on returning home ASAP. I'm from Laguna, so La Jolla is no problem for me. I absolutely love that area. I also plan on continuing my education and SDSU is really close. Please contact me: jjohnston949@gmail.com

Nursing shortage? Not in NYC/Long Island. It's like saying there's a sand shortage at Jones Beach, a cockroach shortage in Manhattan. Oh, no no no. Not at all, not at all.

I have landed a full time 3rd shift job at what I believe must be the best nursing home in NEO because every employee I ask how long they have been there and they have answered with 5, 10, 15, 20 years.

On the same day I interviewed for the nursing home job, I also landed a part time job at a home health agency who is training me to be an RN case mgr. That company is very new and has alot of problems, but I am good at solving problems and am excited to be trained on OASIS.

I graduated from an ADN program at a very respected university nursing program. But, most interviewers were unaware that this university even had a 2 year program and that seemed to be an issue with some places.

I am an older new nurse grad. I will be 50 soon. It took me and the other older new nurse grads to find jobs. I do think our age affected us. But, God was just lining up the "perfect" job(s) for me. I had graduated May 2011 and licensed RN in Aug 2011.

I think between my age, the ADN surge of nurses, the economy slump, the Affordable Care Act, the Medicare/Medicaid payment changes, and my lack of any hospital experience of any kind all played a big role in my hardship at finding a job quickly.

I am unsubscribing from this forum now to focus on other issues. I wish you all many blessings. Keep looking, and applying, and trying your best!!!

PS, I landed these jobs for my passions (safety and home care). The nursing home had just fired two nurses for med errors. When I was asked my strong suit, I answered that I was a stickler for the very basic rights of medication administration. She thought I somehow knew of the firings, but I didn't!! I am just a safety nut!! The Home Care company needed help and when I responded to their ad I offered to help out any way I could and meant it. When he interviewed me, he knew I had skills from previous positions that would help him out. I love to keep people in their homes and out of nursing homes or hospitals!!

I myself am former military (Radiologic Technologist)and married to my military husband. His retirement is upcoming in just 2-4 yrs and we will be returning stateside to San Diego for our last assignment. I'll finally be able to start a nursing program, which I am very excited about, since we won't be moving all over the world. I have a friend in San Antonio, a recent grad with her BSN and also former military radiology, who has a story just like the rest of you. Knowing her struggles and after reading all of yours, I'm starting to really question if my desire to become a nurse is really worth going after. Even with the frustration you all are experiencing, are you glad you did it or would you have done something different? I experienced the same struggle trying to get a radiology job in the Ft. Worth/Dallas metro pior to being stationed back overseas. Either I didn't live close enough to make the on-call requirements (we lived 45min outside of downtown Dallas to be closer to my husband's work), I didn't have enough experience (even though I worked as a technologist for 8 yrs in the military and had my ARRT as well as other certs) or because I wasn't fluent in Spanish. I pray that you all have something come up for you soon and that perhaps going after my nursing degree won't be a waste of time and money. Any suggestions?

By the time you get back to San Diego and go through the process of applying to and graduating from a nursing program, (2-4 yrs before you move back and another 3 for school)the nursing shortage will be "on" again as the economy will pick up and the Nat'l Health Care Plan will be in effect in some form or another.

I say "follow your dreams" because if being a nurse is what you are called to be then put your heart and soul into it and the planet will have another great nurse at the bedside.

Runner10k9 in Bronx, New York said: Nursing shortage? Not in NYC/Long Island. It's like saying there's a sand shortage at Jones Beach, a cockroach shortage in Manhattan. Oh, no no no. Not at all, not at all.[/QUO

New York does not like New Grads even BSNs.Hospitals, nursing homes, visiting nurse services want at least 1 year experience...
I garaduated May 2011, got my RN license but no jobs ...

I graduated with an ADN in May 2010. I also have a bachelors degree in health science (that I got before I my ADN). I was very lucky to find a job doing home health 2 months after passing the NCLEX. I continue to apply to hospital positions that I feel I am qualified for. HOWEVER, I am still getting no response. There are some friends that I graduated with that got hospital positions and I am so happy for them. I just can't understand why hospitals still are not hiring new graduates or in my case nurses who were not able to get the 'one year of acute care experience' that they want. Maybe I am just frustrated, I want to be in a hospital environment, working with other nurses (home health is very lonely), and really want to be providing the compassionate care that I think others deserve! Am I the only going through this? When will hospitals start hiring people without years of acute care experience?!

Your definitely NOT the only person going through this. I graduated May 2009, was lucky enough to get an ER job and now about 2.5 years later I'm STILL having the same struggles I did when I graduated. I've been wanted to work in an ICU and have had multiple interviews and always get the same response "well, since you don't have any ICU experience we're going to go with someone one does" ... that was even the response I had for the ICU CONSORTIUM (my first question is, if it's a consortium why are you hiring experienced ICU nurses?). Anyway, I feel qualified, I have my BSN, ACLS, ENPC, TNCC and all that stuff along with 2 solid years of ER experience, but still no such luck. Here in Seattle things are different than the rest of the country, we actually have too many nurses. There was an article in last Sunday's newspaper describing the problem and later says Seattle had 2800 new nurse graduates in 2010 and only 1800 jobs available (can't remember the exact numbers). Anyway, eventually, it will get better, it HAS to.