Hello everyone! I am a new graduate RN with my Associates Degree in NYC. I am having a hard time finding a job because most places right now are only hiring experienced RN's. This baffles me because to become an experienced RN, we must begin somewhere. To add injury to insult, I am taking my boards mid February, since I just graduated in January, and I thought most places did hire new graduate RN's awaiting to take their state boards, but I guess I presumed incorrectly. I am willing and eager to find any job as a RN where I can have a preceptor train me to become a more experienced nurse and get valuable experience. I am willing to travel anywhere within the tri-state area and am actively looking for such jobs, to no avail. Does anyone know anywhere willing to hire someone with my credentials or does anyone have any advice for me? Your comments would prove invaluable.

Thank You,

Kenardo Griffiths

My advice would be to search everywhere. I am actually starting work in the state next to mine because I finally found a job after 6 months. I get 3 12 hour shifts a week so it's not so bad to commute! Try aftercollege.com to find new grad programs near you.

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jun2009/db20090...

Please read about foreign nurses fill jobs, because nobody is applying. I do not understand this at all, because a new grad RN can not get a job....

nfountain says ...

Ok.  So I'm starting to freak out a little bit.  Here I am juggling Air Force duty, a baby and a husband in Iraq all while busting my hump to finish my pre-requisites and support courses and I'm hearing that RN's are having trouble getting hired!?  I can't shake being a nurse, it's all I think about.  But in reality you have to make money to live.  I would give anything to be a nurse, but how can that happen if we aren't getting hired.  I'm hoping that it's only certain places in the country, and since we are moving to the South that maybe I won't be affected by this phenomenon.  But it shouldn't be happening anywhere.  Is this crisis being exaggerated?  Could it be that the applicant nurse has bad interview skills?  Could it be that he or she doesn't simply fit well in that particular institution?  When I go down stairs to talk to the nurses that work here in the clinic (I'm currently a computer tech at the base hospital) they all tell me the same thing "if you have a pulse and a license, you're hired".  So what should I believe?

Where in the South are you moving?  I live in SouthEast Georgia, and our hospital hired around 40 new graduates.  The only problem is that our hospital is the only one in the area that is hiring Nurses in general.  i have heard many rumors that Hospitals are putting up hiring freezes, cutting out sign on bonuses, and even lowering RN pay. 

The problem is the economy. Since we are in a recession, retired nurses are going back to work. Also, nurses who were due to retire now can't afford to retire. As a result, there is no current nursing shortage and hospitals are not hiring new grads. However, once the economy improves, there will once again be a nursing shortage.

There is a nursing shortage most places in the US. The thing to remember is that a nursing shortage does not mean more hiring.  The hospital I work at has many positions that need to be filled, but with the economy the way it is now, we have a hiring freeze on new employees. We can hire to replace people who leave, but we can not hire any new positions.  As the economy gets better, if it does, we will be able to start hiring again.

Hey,

I am a graduating in like 2 weeks from nursing school. and in response to jobs. There is a shortage you can say. But nobody wants to hire GNs. It costs twice as much to train a GN then to hire an experienced nurse. It seems that things are starting to look a little better, But not much. But as soon as the economy begins to start perking up then the nurses will start retiring and there will be money in the budget to hire new GNs. But ive learned that it is also about NETWORKING and WHO YOU KNOW. I already work in the system so its not difficult. But my tip is to apply to different places, but get in contact with a nurse recruiter. FInd out when the interships start so you can start applying. THat is my advice. I unfortauntely dont have a job, But have been working on all my networks and contacts that i know. Good Luck

I graduated with my BSN in May 2008 and passed the NCLEX in August 2008 and I am having the same problem as everyone else. I graduated Cum Laude made the dean's list all while carrying and raising my now 14 month old daughter. Its very frustrating!!!!!!! No large hospitals are hiring new grads due to the hiring freeze, and those that normally have new grad programs are cutting them due to budget cuts. I have applies for the 3 new grad programs in and around my area only to be turned down due to overwhelming volume of applicants. I have tried SNF's as well but they only hire one RN per location for management and then hire LVN's because they can pay them less as staff nurses. I am trying non-profits and private offices, even schools, CA.gov site, correctional facilities etc.... and so far not even a peep. the only interview i had was for hospice and they could not hire me due to a state law that says i must have 1 yr experience period. Help, I am drowning. I have begun to look outside my state because i live in the bay area and the competition here is particularly great, but i am willing to go anywhere now. Please does anyone have any advice?

This may not be an option, but Northern Ohio has a lot of nurse openings, and most places hire new grads

Hello:

I feel you pain, I too am a new graduate RN, BSN and it is very, very difficult to find employment without nursing experience. Someone on yahoo answers stated that there are specified times that new grads are hired given the additional orientation time necessary before you can provide direct patient care without a preceptor. I posted a ad on craigslist stating that I would even volunteer somewhere for the experience, no one has answered. Keep trying, I apply every single day--try the state of ohio government job sites too, sometimes the correctional facilities hire new grads. Lots of Luck!

I hope KG 11212 has a job now. I will advice new nurses to explore nursing homes and spread to other states even states we hardly hear about such as Montana, Iowa, Nebraska and Dakota. Have you ever tried Arizona? I  believe they hire new nurses all the time. Also Methodist hospital system in Texas seem to be hiring new grads. By the way, I recently came accross an Ad where Davita or is it Fresenius is training new nurses in Dialysis. Please explore this as well. Check every nook and corner of different facilities and nursing homes and physically handicapped settings. I wish you all the best.

Cortese says ...

I am a recent new RN graduate and I live in Fayetteville NC and I can not find a job anywhere. I do not understand this at all. While I was in school all I heard was you will have no problem finding a job. That is simply false. No one will seem to give new graduates a job. This is so wrong. Is their anyone that has any suggestions as to how I can find a job in fayetteville NC or nearby.

Hi Cortese!

I just graduated here in May here in Fayetteville and am wondering if you ever found a job?  I have been having the worst luck!

 Hi

I graduated in May 2010 with Bachelors degree from a Univ in North Carolina & got licensed in July 2010. I tried in North carolina for about 6 months for job but no luck. Then I heard about some hospitals in california hiring new nurses. I endorsed my license to california now i have been looking for a job there for about 3 months, i dont seem to find any new grad opening at any hospital, even if i do apply i get no response. I am in desperate need of a job. I have told myself that I will work anywhere in California now for a nursing job. All I need is a chance/ a job. I graduated with good grades, with honors and its difficult to believe that I am not even being considered at any hospital, first in north carolina now in california as well. Please help!!

Hi DorothyL,

If you would like to advertise your company, please contact Head Nurse here at NL, or contact Monster.com. Thanks.

Sorry you feel that way.