Hello all, 

I was wondering if anyone knows of any hospitals that accept new grads in NJ/NY/PA area?I feel so useless without a job. I passed my boards earlier this month and have been applying to many hospitals. However, most of them require experience. How are we suppose to gain experience if no one gives us a chance?

From my own experience and from reading on another nursing messsage board, I think this problem is nationwide.  A lot of new grads are having a hard time finding a job.  I've had my license for 6 months and still haven't found anything.  I did sign up for Mollen and even though it's only temporary, it's something.  These tough economic times have really put a damper on the market.  Try volunteering at a local hospital or clinic.  This can give you the opportunity to network and also gain some type of experience.  I volunteer as an RN at a clinic several times a week.  I'm gaining some experience and getting to know some of the doctors that volunteer too.  Hope this helps and good luck to you.

I think the volunteering route is the best idea. Ideally, you would've been volunteering while going to school, but it's also ideal with a part-time job so that you can make some kind of money.

I know it's frustrating... everyone asking for experience but how can you have experience if no one gives you a chance, right? Well the answer to that is volunteering. It may be disheartening but think of it this way... nursing and health care aren't the only industries that ask for experience. Pretty much any job is going to. If a journalism student wants to work at a magazine, she'd need to find an internship at a few publications before a magazine would actually hire her. These days, most internships are unpaid.

The fact of the matter is is that just because you go to school and pass your boards, that doesn't mean anyone's going to hire you right away. You need to put your time in and pay your dues before you can start or begin to move up the career ladder.

Best of luck to everybody!!

Hi, I am new here. I graduated in 2009 and then moved from Texas to California. I have been looking for a job for almost half a year now. During this period of time, I also attended CE classes, got different certificates. But those didn't seem to help me finding a job either. I am currently voluntering at a pharmacy clinic and a hospice. However, I am not getting any "acute care experience" that most of openings are requiring. I have an option to go to China and work in the hospital to get some experience. However, I don't know how much the working experience in China weights in US. Can anyone give some advise?

Grace

 Yes! Have faith. The job market will turn around...I already feel it has; I just called in for an interview for a job I'd applied for months ago. I already  just got a new job, but still! That's a sign! 

 I have a friend in UT that just graduated this past year.  She said she must have applied at 150 places!  But, she does now have a job!  Keep up the hard work!  It will pay off!!

thank you! that site really helped a lot! unfortunately, i dont see any openings for new grads. uh oh.