Advice re: applying for new grad position!

Hello all!

A lot of people I know are starting to apply for positions now for after graduation (May 2009). However, I'm a bit confused as what to do.

I've looked at the job openings at a number of hospitals in the area, but RN positions all ask for 1-2 years of experience. Should I submit my cover letter/resume with the option not for a specific position, and put new grad RN position as my objective on my resume?

I'm getting very stressed out about applying for jobs - our university does not give us any guidance in this area.

I'm doing my senior practicum at a Children's Hospital in the area, which I am so excited about - working there has been my dream since high school, and the reason I went into nursing in the first place. I'm hoping that I will be able to get a position there after graduation/NCLEX, but it's quite prestigious and a lot of the hospitals in the area are having or have had hiring freezes recently, so I'm not holding my breath.

Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Around where I live, the hospitals have just started to list their graduate nurse positions on their websites. Some say "graduate nurse" and others say "intern". I did find out that several hospitals don't list theirs until Feb. Call the recruiter at each hospital and ask questions - when will jobs be posted, is there a graduate nurse job fair, what is the committment time for internships. Regular jobs without internships I've seen listed as RN-I. Don't know how hard they are to get, what kind of orientation you get, etc but do know you have to pass boards first for these. One hospital system that has 3 hospitals in different cities already has their intern positions listed -- I applied online and then 2 days later checked the status and it had a "no thanks, have selected other applicants...." Totally bummed. I am applying to multiple positions this weekend online with another hospital - they have a grad nurse job fair at end of Feb but since jobs are posted already, I'm submitting resumes. I keep reading all these posts about it being 6 months after graduation and people still haven't found a job. I am so worried because we have about 8 schools in my area - that is a lot of nursing grads all scrambling for a job at the same time. I was trying to decide what department I wanted to work in but now, I am past that. I will apply for all positions except for the ones I absolutely hate. I NEED a job and can always move into another department that I want more after I have working experience to put on my resume. Your best bet is just to spend the day on the phone talking to recruiters. I am soooo worried about not getting a job right away!
Quote from lei7Hello all! A lot of people I know are starting to apply for positions now for after graduation (May 2009). However, I'm a bit confused as what to do. I've looked at the job openings at a number of hospitals in the area, but RN positions all ask for 1-2 years of experience. Should I submit my cover letter/resume with the option not for a specific position, and put new grad RN position as my objective on my resume? I'm getting very stressed out about applying for jobs - our university does not give us any guidance in this area. I'm doing my senior practicum at a Children's Hospital in the area, which I am so excited about - working there has been my dream since high school, and the reason I went into nursing in the first place. I'm hoping that I will be able to get a position there after graduation/NCLEX, but it's quite prestigious and a lot of the hospitals in the area are having or have had hiring freezes recently, so I'm not holding my breath.Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!