What should a recent grad do about having trouble finding employment?
Monday November 16, 2009
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I am a recently graduated RN and am having a hard time finding employment. Do you have any advice?
Gina
The job market is tight for all nurses but especially new graduates in some parts of the country. However, it does seem to be gradually easing up. Read the post "New Nurse, New Job Strategies" at http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880905001 and the article "The RN Jobs Squeeze" at http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009310050036 to better understand what is happening and to learn about alternate ways and places to work.
This is not the first job shortage we've had in nursing and it won't be the last. When this happens, nurses need to look in new directions for employment and need to learn new ways to find and get those jobs.
Networking, a.k.a. word of mouth, is always the most effective way to get a job, especially in tough times. So as the first article above suggests, get active in nursing professional associations, volunteer somewhere medical while continuing to look for paid employment, and attend open house/recruitment events and job fairs when you can.
You also need to stand out from the crowd in a good way. Wear a business suit when networking/interviewing, have business cards made, and ace every interview. Read “Interview to ‘Knock Their Socks Off!’” at http://www.dcardillo.com/articles/knock.html
Persistence and determination will always win out in the end!
My best wishes,
Donna
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of “Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional” and “The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career.” Information about the books is available at www.Nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.Nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.Nurse.com/asktheexperts/deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call 800-866-0919 or visit http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
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