Eileen Beal
Lisa Broesch
Roberta Chinsky Matuson
Marcia Frellick
Elisabeth Greenbaum Kasson
Jan Hunter
Joy Taylor
Kim McAllister
Sue Mellen
Chakisse Newton
Stephenie Overman
Lois Roelofs
Terry Sheridan
Rosa Talavera
A question was recently asked by a new member of our nursing community, and we thought you could help us respond:
“I live in Minnesota and I am a new RN grad and I have checked with temp agencies/hiring agencies in the metro area and none of them will place new grads. Very frustrating. If I were to do it all over I would have went part–time through the RN program and worked as an LPN so I would have had that experience. But now I have an RN degree and no experience = no job! I am contemplating getting a part-time job outside of my chosen profession. But who is going to hire someone who is seeking a job in another field?”
Minnesota grad, via email
Don't go through an agency. Apply directly to the hospital, most of them will have a program for new grads. Most agency positions are on call to replace someone who is full time and will therefore require a year's experience, at least that's how it is in my area.
I am here in California with 6 years experiance. I am currently with an agency meeting many new grads that cannot find a job. I was hired in 2006 before i graduated, placed in the "Versant" training program for 6 monthes and recieved a $2000.00 sign on bonus. That has all changed. New grads cannot get into a training program because it has been 6mos since they graduated; the hospitals only want "freshly" graduated RN's. Many of the new grads i meet are able to find jobs in Skilled Nursing Facilities which sometimes tarnish their resume. None the less they are working and getting experience. Many of the phsyciatric setting will take new RN's however. The downside to this is you will loose your med/surge skills and therefore will also tarnish your resume. I do suggest that every RN should work med/surge for a few years (not forever) and get a good foundation. It is a foundation for many areas of nursing. You do not want to get pigeon holed. I originally chose nursing due to the vast areas one can work in. Try per diem or a on call float pool. Let the employer know you will be on call 24/7 at a moments notice. It may suck and you may have to do it for a while. But it is your foot in the door. Good luck
I suggest you still apply for jobs in your field. I finish school in September 12,2012 for billing and coding and applied when I finish and haven't found anything yet. Yes it is frustrating but don't give up. Give Marty's advise some thought, it just could be the thing for you.
Sorry you are having difficulty in a career field that there is still lots of shortage.
First thing you want to do is start calling hospitals for internship program which should have started from last semester in school. Many hospitals has the internship program which they always hire you after program is completed. Last option you can do is try Nursing homes for a little and post resume on lots of jobsites. All the best.
you would be surprised I had a similar problem. I got my degree in Healthcare Administration in 2010 and I am still working as a cna. I don’t have experience. So I’m looking to go into another field.If u research some companies outside of your area u might find something another option would be to talk to employers and if u can afford it accept a lower pay rate such as one for a Lon. I know in Memphis they are hiring new grads all the time and prefer a RN It just depends on location whatever u do don’t give up because there is a shortage of nurses and the field will need u sooner or later….Good Luck
It's hard to find work when you have little or no experience but nursing is a field in demand so do not throw in the towel yet. Besides applying with hospitals also consider outpatient physician offices and hospice. Also, consider relocating to an area with higher demand for nurses. I recommend that you check out first where the jobs are apply and seek to get interviewed and prepare to relocate if hired. Remember that there are many healthcare employers out there who actually prefer to train persons with no experience because sometimes people with a lot of experience tend to be less flexible when it comes to learning new ways of doing things.
Finally, if you decide to pursue another field try to stay within the healthcare field.For example, you may accept a position working scheduling patients for procedures, verifying health benefits, medical records filing etc. Frankly, nurses who have medical office and clerical experience are a plus in outpatient physician office and facility settings. Even though you may not have much experience to offer let potential employers know that you are willing to be taught and that you desire to put in practice what you have learned so far and that you welcome the challenge. Have faith in your abilities.
It is very frustrating as a new grad or as an RN that's not a BSN in the world of nursing today; however, there are several avenues you could try. If you are willing to relocate, send your resume everywhere. There are still hospitals around the country that will hire a new grad. Check out dialysis. Many dialysis companies are willing to accept new grads. The possible downfall with doing dialysis is it is a specialty area and like Marty said, you may lose some of your med/surg skills and possibly get pigeon holed, but it does give you skills that can be transferrable. If you're interested in dialysis, chronic care, which is mostly outpatient is different then acute care, which is mostly in-patient (hospital). If you were working as a lpn, see if you can return to that place as a RN. Good Luck and God Bless!
You have worked too hard to quit now!!! Apply to a site where you have spent some time doing clinicals. It may not be your ideal choice but you will gain experience in a place you are familiar with and that can be priceless to a new grad. The longer you wait to apply your nursing knowledge the greater the chance that you never will.