A Day In the Life of a New Grad

Excellent!A discouraging (yet honest) view into the job search reality for many new grads.

Um, okay, so this is basically my life right now as well! Creepy! Just add in some "shopping for makeup and clothes that I don't need on eBay" since I'm a girl and you've got yourself a "ditto" piece of work!I'm glad that people are viewing this from the non-ignorant perspective and realize that nothing is in an economy-resistant bubble. It's true that it makes you wonder what you spent multiple years of your life doing, but in the end, reality is reality and all we can do is wait...or ambush Capitol Hill with our picket signs and new pairs of scrubs that we have yet had the opportunity to wear; whichever comes first!Who knows, perhaps all of this waiting is not in vain and eventually we'll all have the job we've been dreaming of. When that day will come, I don't know, but I do know we'll probably be the first generation of nurses that are actually in shape and practice what they preach since we've had nothing but downtime. Either that, or we'll create another baby boom since there's nothing else to do!Good luck to you and may this dark scrubs shroud lift one of these glorious days!NurseThis21, BSN, RN UIC Alumna

Well said!

AMEN! I graduated in May; still waiting for a job or an interview, or even a response to the many jobs I applied for.Very discouraging Your not alone.

Yep!I "re-careered" after lots and lots of years, partially because I always wanted to be a nurse, partially because, "be a nurse, you will always be able to work anywhere!"hahahahahahahahahahahahahahabut, after a moderate (seemed REALLY LONG) wait, and accepting a job TOO far from home, I would do it all again, and again, and again

What is really sad is that I have worked full time and taken classes part time for the last 3.5 years just to finally get admitted to the nursing program, and now I have the stress of nursing school and not knowing if I will even have a job in 2 years when I graduate with $21,000 in loans. The only motivation I have is that I only have to worry about school for the next 4 semesters and I will be done. I better re-think my plans I suppose. What is really sad is that I won't even be able to go for my MSN because I won't have the 1 year nursing experience needed prior to matriculation. :zzzzzWow, I guess that means I better stick with the NSNA and hope and pray that I can get some recognition for being an officer. I do appreciate the post from qaqueen though...I hope that you can hang in there my friend and be able to write a much happier and motivating story for us to read next year talking about what a great job you have and how many lives you have touched! Good luck and keep your head up brother.

Quote from NurseThis21Um, okay, so this is basically my life right now as well!

I graduated during the last nursing glut. Casual work saved me financially, and I continued with college courses and got my degree while I had the time. I also got some great resume builders with volunteer work. Try your local crisis line, or walk in center, and keep in mind your goal of getting experience. You don't have to be getting paid to get experience.Actually my casual position came from volunteering on that floor and being a little familiar with their needs and nurses. I aced the interview, and I knew I'd be starting out with some good teachers as coworkers.Go out and volunteer for experience, then when you get back on the phone you can say why you think you'd be the best candidate, plus you'll have references from the real world, not just instructors. Get a job that will pay the bills, but keep looking for opportunities to stand out. Even a Walmart greeter can stand out as a great employee- you want to be that guy.

Witty and oh so accurate...

well said e non imus,rn and so very true. i've been a nurse for 7 months now and still no permanent work. it gets very frustrating and depressing at times. i too get the "come and move to xx place because they're hiring" or "i don't understand why you're not working when there's such a big nursing shortage" speech. i know people mean well, but it makes you want to scream! like another poster said, try volunteering. i'm currrently volunteering at a clinic and though i'm not getting paid, i am gaining skills...and praying that someone, somewhere will see this on my resume and want to hire me. keep your head up and good luck.

I was one of you guys just 3 months ago. I graduated from an LPN program Aug 01, 2008. I passed my NCLEX in october, 2008. I was ready for the world. After all, "there is a nursing shortage". yeah right...to make a long story short...it wasn't till may 13, 2009 that i received employment...9 months after graduation and 7 months after licensure. to make things worse...the only reason why i got the job was because of a friend who was close to the DON. good luck my friends...make friends with nurses and dont give up...that's the best advice i can give you

My two cents: It might make a difference...if...one day, you break your routine, dress professionally, resume in hand, and GO to the hospitals. Since HR is getting alot of applications from new grads, showing your face should make a difference as opposed to leaving a voice mail. It did for me. Hope it helps. p.s also consider when the new grad programs start.