Why is so difficult to find a job as a new nurse ??? I remember hearing alot oh don’t worry you will find a job fast they needing nurse every where mmm not through at all 🥺
Look for new grad programs. Many will take you into the medical-surgical program, but it is a start. It may not be your top hospital or specialty, but getting the experience and moving on to your dream hospital or specialty is best.
If you have a teaching facility near you, start there. They usually have great training programs for new grads. And, you can apply for specialty areas that interest you. Best of luck to you!
When I started It was a lot of nepotism but still that didn't get you the job. It got you a chance. I told my daughter who is also a nurse, you need to not take no for an answer. So I suggest you find a hospital and ask what kind of new grad programs do you have? What does it take to get into those programs? Do you only take the nurses that are contracted with your hospital? Be assertive. Ask do you take on nursing residents? Like doctors it means you work for free.
Ask your favorite nurses in clinical if they have any pull to get you a job. It is about networking and your resume only says so much. New nurses are a lot of work to hire. So make them see how much you will benefit them.
Seriously you have to sell yourself. Probably not the answer you were looking for but I have hired a lot of new grads. They had energy and they were smart and they made it seem like teaching them would be a piece of cake.
Good luck
You are not alone. I have heard nurses over 50 like myself saying they had to downsize their resumes in order to get a job. Shame on you Society. I have been a LPN for 8 years and a RN for 25. I am reluctant to answer the question on applications asking how many years as a Nurse because if they see 33 years they are expecting they should be paying for your experience and rightfully so.
I haven’t been able to find the why it’s so difficult, but I have experienced your exact pain without being a new grad. Networking was the best advice I saw in your responses. Do you have any friends or friends of friends that can get you in? That’s all you really need. Another one was reaching out to any nurses that you were trained by in clinicals. My way in was to go into a preceptorship program and have them try to place me in a hospital that I was open to working in nearby. It did cost quite a bit, but I felt like it was worth it and it helped me build a good rapport. You can find those through your state board of nursing. At least in California. Good luck! I almost gave up and then it happened, so keep your head high and I am rooting for you!
I’m in California , not sure about Texas hiring rate of new nurses. However I would start at your local clinics and/ or nursing homes . The nursing home is not your ideal job , however you will gain a lot of experience. I would stay with the job for about 6months if tolerable to a year. I’ve been a nurse since 2018 , started in the nursing home , then transitioned to urgent care clinic , and now I am a Nurse Consultant for a pharmacy, I no longer see any patients. Be optimistic. I’ve been in your shoes and I know that it may feel like nothing is happening. The job that is MEANT for you is Waiting . Don’t give up!!
It is not difficult to find a job as a nurse. You just have to sell yourself. Know what you are doing an another word, know your skills. Be confident. I put God first in everything that I am doing and do what I do with the best of my ability. A lot of places are looking for nurses. The only thing I can say in Florida they do not pay.
When I graduated my class was told that finding ur first job will be the most difficult. Once you get that, finding one afterwards should be easy. Not sure what you have experience in prior to nursing but use that to your advantage and on a resume or while being interviewed, and show that you bring something different with you. As well as mentioning that even though your a new graduate that comes with higher risks, you also come with no bad habits, like an experienced nurse would have. I worked in dentistry for 15 years before becoming a nurse. So I brought a whole different medical experience and knowledge that isn't taught in nursing school, and the knowledge that good dental health aids in a healthy body.if you're prior experience isn't medical, maybe it's people skills that you've acquired, being organized, detailed oriented etc. Make yourself stand out and that you have more to offer then just ur nursing degree knowledge. Hope this helps, and good luck.
What I find as a hiring manager is that new grads have too many requests ie: I want day shift, I do not want to work weekends or holidays. Unfortunately you need to "pay your dues" healthcare is mostly a 24/7 operation. There are many jobs but you may to have get your experience before you find that dream job. Good Luck!
This is so interesting we are so short staffed in Maryland and other states Ive talked to nurses in. Some states still have money for travel nurses but in general its hard to be a new grad and find a job that isnt medsurg or tele. Back in the day you couldnt get an ICU spot unless you worked 2 yrs in medsurg
Look for Dialysis, LTAC, SNF, Home Health, clinic jobs first. These position are typically in dire need and are willing to train anyone. You will be able to grab a ton of skills as well as experience. These will be good selling points to get you a more acute job. ALSO, apply direct...dont go through a recruiter. A recruiter is typically looking for at least 1 yr of acute experience and even 1 yr of experience is not enough because in most contract positions youll be competing with nurses who are 3x more experienced. Your best bet is to sell yourself by showing professionalism, loyalty, willingness to learn and ability to work overtime.
You have to pay your dues. Med/surg is about as good as it gets for at least a year but you'll learn so much! Hang in there.
It is indeed difficult to enter a hospital as a new nurse, especially if you want anything other than med-surg, and med-surg is also not easy to break into. Advice I received: (1) try a SNF for 6 months, min. (2) Leave your geographic area and go to a high-needs area to get experience, if your market is too tough. (3) Apply to residencies, *particularly* if you want to learn a specialty. Sacrifice pay in the beginning to get the knowledge and experience you need to get into the position/specialty/location you want.
Nursing schools prepare students for the NCLEX more than they do for working in the field. (Fact: the first U.S. nursing schools were run by hospitals and included a lot more clinical hours than we have today.) Also good advice -- become a CNA before or while you are in nursing school, and get that hospital job experience!! It will be invaluable learning.
Honestly, I agree with those that have mentioned med/surg nursing. While it's not the most "beautiful" nursing job in the world, I honestly believe that it is the core to any other type of nursing that you wish to pursue. I learned so much working for med/surg so I would recommend starting there. Hospitals are always looking for nurses. Also, make sure you're looking at "new grad" positions. You should be able to search for those specifically and to go to hiring events. :) I hope you find something soon!
Therr are lots of jobs out there but most places want experience. When I first started I applied to all the new grad position available but therr was a class of 300 nursing students and only 30 new grad positions so I had to be willing to do anything. I started on a neuro tele ward and hated it but I learned a lot. I think the most important thing is to say you are willing to do anything because you are eager to learn. Another speciality that hires a lot of new grads is psych. Even if you don't have the exact experience they are asking for still apply you never know what will happen. Stick to jobs that are asking for 1-2 years of experience though. And try not to be picky about your first year once you have experience its easier to find a position.
Look for nurse externship at.the major hospitals. Check out the VA post baccalaureate nurse residency
Take anything you can as a new RN just to get experience under you. It also depends how the interview goes. You have to go in and sell yourself and be confident in who you are and what you do. It doesn’t hurt during an interview to tell the potential employer to take a chance on you and that you are more than willing and eager to learn.
First of all i will like to said thank u to all of you that have take your tome to respond me and give me some advice i will like to tell you guys that thank to GOD AND to this page i have a job already in less than two weeks i find a job with a decent pay compared to how is the market now position where I am hoping and praying i can growth and get all the knowledge needed for my future and where i hope to bring all my love and compassion to those in need so please send your prayers of success and strength my way i will really appreciated godd blessed you all 🙏🏽👏🏽
Location is a factor, however what courses have you taken after graduation, ie ACLS or Stroke Certification? Are you willing to work night shift or weekends?
Corrections will hire just about anyone (Jails, prisons, work release)
It can be hard at first because of the lack of experience but try other areas even if it isn't your dream job. Once you’re in and gain some experience you can move into other departments. Also be on the lookout for when Hospitals have fellowship programs or residency open.
Yes...start with Med-Surg to get your foot in the door.It may be the night shift...take it...it's temporary.
Also remember that Health care is a business, now more than ever before. To hire full-time staff is an expense that many hospitals are trying to avoid unfortunately because they have to pay health care, pension and other benefits to the nurse which effects the bottom line of profit for the top adminstrators. You have to forge ahead and keep applying to anything that interests you..don't stop...
There are positions out there.
Good luck!
Opportunities are there, at the hospital I work at offers the StarRN program. 2 year commitment. I’m in surgery, a specialty area, which is more difficult to find nurses. It takes dedication and sometimes a stiff upper lip to put up with some surgeons but I love what I do. Good luck, you are much needed in this profession. Stay positive!
There are plenty of new grad jobs here in Florida. They are even hiring the nursing students as external. Hang in there, just get your foot in and then you can move around.
Check out home health . You learn a lot on the job about a lot of disease processes. Specifically try Angels of care and tell them Lakia Banks, LPN sent you😊 They pay well and their ancillary coverage is awesome!
Going through agency is one of the fastest way to start working as a new Nurse: also; if you have like a CNA background, include such in your resume as part of your experience.
Depending on your location, rural or urban, it can be difficult. New Mexico is always looking for nurses! I work at Sunset Villa in Roswell NM, and skilled facilities are a great place to start and learn! We are a small facility and you learn alot more than you'd ever imagine. Plus, providing great care and making people happy, warms your heart when you go home! Worth while!
You may need to formulate your resume to accentuate whatever roles you have had in the past and how they can align with/enhance the nursing roles you are applying for. As others may have already suggested, home health is one way to go as many have very good preceptor/on the job training programs. Also, don't forget to put recruiters to work for you. Try to avoid being staunch in your expectations and be willing to flex with the needs of the company you are applying to. Once you get the experience under your belt. you can move on to what you truly want to do as a nurse.
What are you applying for? Staff nurse? Home health? LTC? Some places won’t hire new nurses in critical care positions like ICU, ER, or L&D or NICU but med/surg usually have open positions and then you can transfer departments.
Try applying where you did clinicals so you are familiar with their charting system and know someone
Keep on trying, if you come to California. I'll help you out.
It’s just not new new nurses that have this problem. No one wants to invest in the time or money to train someone new or a seasoned nurse wanting a change. These places that are like that want people already familiar with the job. Keep your head up and stay hopeful.
Where are you looking because I see thousands of jobs looking for nurses. It’s a nurse crisis!
Also, as a new nurse, the best option to choose a specialty where you can have a mentor for X amount of months!
It's mainly because of their budget! There will be openings for X amount of nurses, but the budget will not qualify hiring them! That's one of the reasons why you'll hear about nursing shortages, but when you apply, there's not enough money in the budget to hire you! Another reason is that most places want bachelor's and masters degrees! Good luck!
This can be unbelievably frustrating. I remember feeling the same way when I graduated 10 years ago. Look for externships and other nurse residency programs. If not, start on medsurg and get a year of experience and then you’re more marketable AND you’ve gained a ton of knowledge and good foundation :)
Try a rehab or skilled Nurse facility/Long term care that’s always a great place to start and get your feet wet, med surge is another in a hospital 😊😊
Its just as difficult at the other end when you retire and just want part-time...they hire within FIRST which seems to me playing checkers will get you no NEW blood!
I am having trouble myself because I am looking for per diem and I am not really new to healthcare. I was an LPN for 8 years prior to getting my RN. I would look for new grad programs or work somewhere temporarily that might get you experience for a year and then work towards the role you really want.
It is all about networking. Go to job fairs. Also, a lot of nursing homes and long-term care facilities are hiring new nurses now and the bigger companies have a nice training program to start.
What field are you wanting to get into? Location?
In 13 years I’ve never had a problem finding a job. I’ve also never had a job where overtime wasn’t offered. I honestly feel like I could work 7 days a week if I wanted to. I’ve worked in Tennessee and this was true. I now live in Alabama and have experienced the same here. I’m not sure why you are experiencing difficulty getting a job. I’m certain you will find something soon.
Question. Did you take the time to work in healthcare prior to going to nursing school or during nursing school? I think having prior acute care experience helps in getting offers after you finish nursing school.
I'm not sure why it's so difficult when the need for nurses are there. When I first became a nurse you basically had to start as a staff nurse in the hospital. Hospitals are struggling just as much now if not more when I started in the late1980's. The Crack Epidemic was raging. Hospitals have gotten away from orienting and training new grads. So sad!
are you looking at nursing homes because we have a big shortage of nurses in ohio
Well, you have to start somewhere and most places that WILL hire new grads are Nursing Homes and TCU's. Get your foot in the door at one of those places for a year, then it will be easier to get a job.
Location, Location, Location
Most positions require at least 1 yr experience in a nursing home or LTC. This is generally where new grads find initial employment. This allows them to gain the skills needed to find more
favorable employment opportunities.
Try with a home health agency,they are more desperate than hospitals or assistant living/nursing homes etc,it is easier to learn more when you are one on one and also...get as many certificates that you can get,get wound care certified,iv therapy certified, pharmacology certificate etc etc and you WILL learn I assure you on that,dont be afraid to not know things cause eventually you are going to get it!!!...GOOD LUCK.....
As a new graduate 🎓, it is difficult to find a job especially if you are looking for the paid, but if you really want to learn for the 1st 6 to 1 year, just go with what they offer you. I was a CNA before I became a nurse and is part of nursing, .but if never been a CNA or a caregiver, it would be difficult for you to be hired.
You might be looking at the wrong places. ER, CCU/ICU, PACU need a strong MedSurg background. New grads can easily get in MedSurg which the Foundation of all the Specialty areas.
Long Term Care facilities (Nursing & Rehab/Skilled Nursing facilities and Assisted Living Facilities would take you in, in a heartbeat.
It may depend on where you live. I have lived in TN, SD, NE and gotten every job I applied for. Most of those States seem to have serious shortages and don’t care how new you are. When I first started as a nurse you couldn’t get hired in a Hospital without some nursing experience so I did long term care for about eight months until the local hospital called me. I am now 64 and people still hire me so hang in there. Sometimes the way they do applications these days via computer makes it unlikely you will hear back unless you apply immediately. I read they rarely look past the first ten.
Good afternoon… I feel compelled to answer this question I know you have a lot a food for thought. I work in south Texas for a company who hired brand new nurses an LVN's, to work in our ER so I can guarantee you you will find a job. South Texas is pretty desperate for nurses, so you can definitely get your foot in the door in whatever specialty that you desire. Be diligent, follow-up always, and go into it with Energy and desire. Don't give up hope and you don't have to start in MedSurg like most of us had to. There are residency programs like people of sad but the truth is you can go wherever you want providing you do your research and you have the desire and you can prove that to the manager when they hire you what makes you a good candidate. Don't go out and find a job fast go out and find a job that you're gonna love otherwise you're gonna be in a job it's miserable and it's not gonna be fun. I'm wishing you all the best don't forget you can always reach out some of us won't eat you, we want you to succeed lol
Have you taken your exam and passed?
While you can graduate and work before your NCLEX most hospitals will invest in a certain percentage per the hospital unit. New graduates are a long term investment (extended education and training specific to the unit or specialty, longer duration preceptorship, education buy back and other incentives).
If you have tested and passed then perhaps you can reach out to a clinical unit that you may have trained on that you enjoyed yourself/the patients and team you were with.
I have always told my students to treat every clinical experience as a job interview. While they can see your skill and ability, you can also see theirs.
If you do not plan to work in a hospital environment then try an outpatient medical office or home nursing.
Your first year should be spent honing the skills and gathering the experiences you need to become a proficient nurse.
Get a job on a med surg floor for 2 years and you will be able to go anywhere after that
Hi there! Do not despair! You may try a telemetry unit for 1 year. Telemetry unit will help you learn to prioritize patient needs based on acuity.
From there go to ICU/CCU or ER, wherever interests you more.
Hustle, make connections with more experienced nurses, and voila you will be on your way.
I wouldnt skip straight to critical care. Some managers hire new grads.
IMHO. However, it’s culture shock as a new grad for most.
Happy hunting!
I
When I was a new grad, hospitals had to sell themselves to us and tell us how great they were and all about the benefits we could expect. The reverse is true now, and institutions want to know what YOU can bring to them. It is difficult to show what you can offer without hard experience, but you still can offer curiosity, willingness to learn quickly, willingness to be flexible (accepting a position in an area you might not ordinarily have considered), any leadership and people skills you have already acquired elsewhere, and an eager team-oriented attitude. Do not discount any volunteer work you have done in your community. If you plan to continue your schooling, either formal for another degree, or for a certificate in something health care related - venipuncture, ACLS, sign language, etc., - mention that. Do not exclude home health care with Visiting Nurse, extended care/rehab facilities and psychiatric care. All will give you experience in Nursing. Hospitals are not the only areas in which to work. While salaries in hospitals are higher, outpatient practice will give you some early experience to offer to in-patient employers.
Get into correctional nursing
Im having the same issue here in NY. I graduated in end of May 2022 and starting working in L&D from end of December until May of 2023 and now cant seem to find anything either for almost 2 months now. Didnt think it would take this long, since with my first RN job was less than a month!
What state do you live in? Texas is begging for nurses what kind of position are you looking for? Sometimes the best option is to start getting a nursing facility in nursing home to get your feet wet after a year or two if you're interested apply at a hospital. They want someone with the little experience anyway. Good luck and I hope your nursing career can't turns out to be as exciting as mine did I just retired December 31st. It's a whole new world now not to have to worry about my patience to make it Tuesday night or not
I think most companies want to hire an experienced nurse that can hit the floor running! It takes time and money to train new nurses. Be patient and apply at places that have new grad programs. It will be worth it to be trained properly. Nursing school is just the basics. The real nursing starts on the floor.
Best bet, start in a LTF or AFT first! You'll get much experience in everything and fast. After 9 months or a year, you can transfer to a hospital. Also, talk with hospital recruiters of when and how to start new positions.
You can find jobs at first, it just may not be in the area you want to work in. You have to crawl before you can walk. Get some experience and then you should be able to go anywhere you want. If it is a specific area, you can always take certification in that area, as well.
Because people aren't looking at all the resumes and cover letters. Everyone is not given a chance for an interview.
It is not likely that you will find your dream job right out of school. Most of us took a job...any job, just to gain experience while we searched for the job that we really wanted. Remember you are a new grad, and to many that means your are inexperienced. Hiring new grads can be risky.
Be patient and be willing to start anywhere. Whatever kind of nursing job you are offered, it is likely to be better than the non-nursing job you might have now. Make sure your resume is accurate and professional. Your cover letters must be focused on the facility you are applying for-avoid using a generic letter. And be completely professional in all of the interviews you get including any online interviews as well (remember to check your background, dress professionally, and avoid environmental distractions).
We all started as new grads and it is a challenge so hang in there! You WILL find a job and yes, you will eventually get the job that you really want most!
And congratulations on completing your nursing program. We all know it is not easy!!
Get your Pennsylvania license and work in Pittsburgh. They are always hiring new grads.
After you send your resume, call the HR dept. and follow up. That's how I got my first RN job.
It depends on your location! I am an Assistant manager on a surgical trauma unit at a trauma 1 hospital in CT. We have hired 7 new grads to start in July, granted they pass their NCLEX! They applied to the graduate nurse program which is one year long of seminars with 12-14 weeks of orientation before you’re on your own.
I’ve been a nurse for over 30 years, & I’m also having trouble with finding a nursing job. It’s hard to get interviews! I’m don’t get it? Plenty of jobs posted; but getting picked for interviews is virtually impossible! Good luck to you. I think you’ve got a better chance, since you’re young & cheaper to hire.
Hi, are you looking directly on hospital websites? Also keep your eyes open online for job fairs. Many facilities offer these at this time of year.
Guessing you don't want to continue with the facility where you completed your preceptorship? That's often helpful since you have a foot in the door. Check with your nursing school also. best of luck. Try to be patient!
Try looking for a new grad position, and network around. Find local nursing organizations that host events and attend. Many of these events are not job fairs, but you can potentially meet others who are working in your field of interest, make a friend and you might have an inside referral for your dream job.
You might also be looking in the wrong areas. Perhaps you think you want to be a floor nurse, but that might be because you have not been exposed to opportunities you didn’t even know existed.
skilled nursing facilities will hire you quickly, work there 6 months and then move to a hospital setting. Also you could start with a registry, they are always looking and hire new grads.
I initially started as a CNA, got to know many of the nurse managers and the nursing supervisors as I floated to the various units of the hospital. Also ask to shadow nurses in various hospital departments. Explore creative Nursing Careers via books. Attend various lectures, CEU's Go to the National Wellness Association conference at Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Network with as many nurses as possible-even if for brief interviews to find out more about the different areas for work.
DAP-not yet retired-still working 6 years after usual retirement-keep learning
Look for hospitals that provide fellowships especially in ICU, the building block for every good nurse! It opens the doors to so many avenues!
Best thing I ever did!
Cardiac cath lab the most interesting job I ever held. Especially if u are an adrenal junky like me!
Trauma so fascinating!
A word of advice, never stick to one kind of nursing.
Do
Many different aspects, opens the door to a variety of jobs!
