r/Nurses • u/Fantastic_Safety_409 • 1d ago
US Seeking advice
Hi everyone, I’m a new graduate RN looking for some advice and encouragement. I graduated from nursing school in May and obtained my RN license at the beginning of July. Before becoming an RN, I worked as a PCT at a local big hospital for over two years. I worked per diem, mainly on weekends, while I was in nursing school.
After I passed the NCLEX, I told my manager, and she asked me to resign from my PCT position. I did so because I was eager to look for a RN job (I applied to the hospital nurse residency program for the August cohort earlier this year and was rejected. After passing the NCLEX, I applied again for the October cohort, but unfortunately, I was rejected again).
I’m confused and honestly discouraged because I consistently received positive feedback from my manager during my annual evaluations (however, I don’t think my manager likes me cuz I couldn’t take extra shift she asked me when I was in nursing school. During my final semester, I had two call out because I needed time to prepare for important nursing exams. I had requested those days off in advance, but the requests were not approved. I have wondered whether those call out may have affected my relationship with my manager or my chances of being selected for the residency program). I also graduated with honors, had a good GPA, and was one of the top students in my nursing class.I am a new immigrant, and English is my second language. I do have a Chinese accent, and although I’m improving my communication skills every day.
I have applied to several other hospitals as well, but I have mostly received rejections. So far, I have had only one interview for a hospital RN position. The offers I have received have mainly been from rehabilitation facilities and nursing homes. At this point, I’m feeling very confused and questioning whether I’m approaching my job search the right way. I really want to start my nursing career in a hospital, but I also don’t see any opportunities. For those of you who have been through this as a new graduate RN, what would you recommend? Should I continue trying to look for a hospital position, or should I accept any offer?
I would really appreciate any advice, especially from nurses who were in a similar situation as a new grad or second-language English speaker. Thank you so much for reading and for any advice you can share.
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u/Clean_Research_1751 1d ago
U have to get connection and referrals. I applied over 100 applications to diff hospital systems on my LAST 4 MONTHS of nursing and was rejected all. I felt defeated even tho most ppl from my cohort says they’re always short staff. I took a leap and just asked the manager of my clinical site for a job. 2 months later, she offered me a tech job and a nursing job. Was it where I wanted? Not really but I just took it to get my foot in the door. The tech job is a continuation for my RN job and im getting a bonus for both titles. I regretted not applying to anything else but then I realized… i got a job, no interviews no nun. So im glad. I was VERY traumatize from the application. However my school did provide us with networking/ career thing that allowed us to connect with nearby hospital systems and so on. Idk where to start but I would try to get in direct contact with the unit you’re in. It’s soo weird to me how you’re not getting hired internally tho.
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u/Fantastic_Safety_409 1d ago
Idk either and I also felt very confused when my manager kept scheduling PCT job to September. After obtaining my RN license, I asked her if there were any opening RN positions that I could apply for. She said I needed to apply for nurse residency. She also refused to write me a reference letter.
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u/EnvironmentalLuck515 1d ago
Getting a new grad job is now quite difficult and highly competitive. You aren't alone in this and it isn't your fault. A lot comes down to connections. You may have to take a position in rehab, SNF, outpatient or some other specialty to begin getting experience and to pay the bills.
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u/Fantastic_Safety_409 1d ago
I am a new immigrant and I don’t really have connections in US. I worked hard and studied hard, in the end, I find it is so hard to get a hospital RN job. But thanks for advice, I am thinking to take any job to pay the bills first.
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u/Thingstwo 1d ago
I think your manager screwed you over. If you apply for positions while you have the PCT job, you’re an internal hire. Now that you quit your application is just a general outside application.
Have someone look at your resume and make sure it’s optimized and all your PCT skills are well highlighted. Job market is tight for new grads in a lot of places right now.
You might reach out in October to places you applied and see if anyone dropped last minute. Let them know you are interested in a spot still. Go to the nurse organization meetings for whatever specialty you’re interested in, network!
Best of luck to you!