I’ve been in nursing 20 years. Bedside, charge, preceptor, unit nurse educator, clinical nurse instructor, director of skills lab, intern assistant unit director are the hats I’ve worn throughout my career. I’ve hired more new grads than I remember. I’ve been a part of literally over a thousand interviews and a hundred exit interviews.

So I’m going to say this to all eager, wonderful, and intelligent new grads in mind.

PLEASE DO NOT LET NURSING BE YOUR FIRST JOB!

Literally do anything that requires you to clock in on time, be successful at completing tasks, interact with customers of all ages, interact with coworkers who are mean and nice, interact with a boss who may or may not like you, and try to be there longer than 6 months. Bonus points if you had to work night shifts.

We tell you how hard the job is. We tell you that the patient’s lives depend on you. We tell you that you’re going to be working nights.

BUT FOR SOME REASON, MORE NEW GRADS LESS THAN 2 YEARS QUIT THAN ANY OTHER GROUP. Do you know their main reasons?

1)Work life balance aka scheduling aka never liked nights. Well…unless you work for a laser clinic that hires with no experience, you’re gonna work nights. Hospitals are open 24/7. Holidays. Weekends. Forever and ever. Yes waking up at 5am for day shift sucks. Yes staying up all night and having to give a med at 4am is painful. BUT ITS THE JOB! Learn how to get to work on time and finish on time. It’s the bare minimum of what’s expected of you and your coworkers.

2)Culture is “different” aka people conflicts aka people are mean. I am old but not so old that I eat my young. I try to be as empathetic as possible and I do not tolerate any bullying. I do not talk badly about my coworkers and try my best to stop any of my coworkers doing the same. With that said, ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE DIRECT. Why? Because patients’ lives depend on your direct actions. You will have coworkers who won’t help you. You will have doctors who will talk down to you. You will have a boss who just might find your situation petty and tell you to figure it out yourself. If you’ve never had a conflict with a random person that you’ve needed to respectfully resolve and move past, you are going to wallow in your own suffering. And no, your brother or boyfriend doesn’t count.

3) Didn’t know nursing was going to be this hard aka NURSING IS HARD!! Every aspect of it is hard. Getting into a nursing program, paying school off, getting a job, the actual job IS ALL HARD! Forever and ever!! And ever!!!! But it is the most reward thing in life if it is your calling. If you love studying about the human body and medications, taking care of people, making them feel better, helping them through the worst part of their life, IT IS A WONDERFUL JOB!! But you will deal with poop and vomit, 6 people needing your help at once, being harassed, hopefully no violence and barely having enough energy to take care of yourself at the end of day. The whole job is hard…that’s why we get paid well. Maybe better in some states than others but for the most part, you can make 100K out of school.

So….i say this with all of my love and care for anyone getting into nursing…please do not let nursing be your first job. All these lessons in hardship are best learnt at Target or McDonalds or an office job or at the mall. Your life experience will matter so much more than that award for volunteering 100 hours or that 4.5 GPA. Believe me, I’m the one hiring.

Edit: Thanks for everyone who’s posted their thoughts. They’re all valid and honestly taken into consideration when I’m just giving my thoughts. I whole heartedly agree that there are reasons outside of being well prepared for the service industry to make one quit, most of them the institution could fix for the greater good. I do want better pay, better hours, better working conditions for all of us. I go to every union meeting and rally and will fight for all of us as united front to make things better.

But that being said, if it’s not an institutional reason, how do I better help my newer nurses? One nurse quit this week because she got put on Christmas and she “doesn’t work on holidays”. She was constantly late and always called out on Saturday nights. Another quit because a senior nurse asked her to be more helpful and new grad said she was being bullied by senior nurse. Senior nurse is probably the nicest senior nurse we have. Where is the conflict management and problem solving? Another quit because she didn’t like retrieving water for families and felt like she was “working at a hotel” with all of the families’ requests.

Also calling me boomer or Gen X or any name calling is disrespectful and hypocritical bullying behavior. If you think I should retire to make space for more new grads, who is teaching you how to speak to that dinosaur doctor and who is going to tell him to F off and not F with you? It’s me. Also, would you want to be the patient in an ICU full of new nurses with less than one year’s experience? Granted many ICUs are like this but believe me, you’d want someone senior who knows what the f they’re doing.

Look, healthcare is hard with a lot of problems. And I’m not blaming new grads for them. But where are people learning soft skills of hard work? Why are people quitting and running away from responsibilities that are part of the job? Why are new grads so easy to quit on their license they worked so hard to achieve?

For all those still looking or will be looking soon, make sure you follow PIH for updates

Prior to starting work, I’ve always heard horror stories about people staying hour(s) to finish charting. Maybe it’s because I’m on orientation, but I can’t wrap my head around staying so late to chart if there are no significant events.

I just want to see if it’s something I’m missing something or if I’m not charting enough. I mainly just do the flowsheet and a nursing note.

I'm only 6 months into my new grad program and won't finish it until I hit my one year. But I hate bedside. I love being a nurse, but I just hate night shift and don't see hope of switching to days for a long time, and I hate bedside with the 12 hour shifts.
I obviously only have my 6 months of experience, so I know it'll be hard to find another job, but I really want to hear from other people if they've been on the same boat and what they did. Or if I should keep pushing another 6 months till I have the full year of experience?

Might do night shift soon, and I'm going to need all of your tips and tricks because I'm not sure how this is gonna work lol.

Do you drink caffeine? I can't imagine staying up all night without it, but also, doesn't that fuck with your ability to sleep the next morning?
Do you take melatonin in the morning to help you sleep?

Ty

Hi all. I’m a new grad who got hired into the float pool back in July. The way my program works, we have 6 weeks with a preceptor, 6 weeks where we only work on one unit (called Float on Loan), and then another 12 weeks where we spend a week orienting on each med surg floor and the psych unit to really get a feel for layouts and flows, etc.

My Float on Loan is on a neuro/trauma/ortho med surg floor, so lots of knees, hips, and MVCs. This type of care is one that I never really experienced before now, so it’s extra overwhelming to be dealing with so much neuro trauma and surgery, especially handling the surgery PAs on nights (which is a whole other thing in and of itself).

I’ve found myself recently questioning myself constantly, even on things I’ve seen or done before. It’s gotten to the point where I’ll ask a question I know is stupid, and I know that I know, but I can’t help but be unsure of. Most nurses I’ve asked are super kind and helpful, but there’s been a few who give me looks or make me feel as though I’m unqualified for not knowing. They’re aware I’m a new grad, but it just doesn’t help, especially when other new grads around me seem more confident than I do.

Its gotten to the point where I dread going into work because I’m so fearful of messing up or missing something in my neuro/neurovasc checks. I feel like my confidence is so shot, and I know this is normal for the first months/year, but I’m not sure how to handle it in the moment. All my friends from my class who started at this hospital on med surg with me have all left for outpatient, so I don’t even feel like I have anyone to commiserate with who are in the same boat as me.

Any support or suggestions or anything anyone could give would be so helpful. ♥️

Hahaha dont worry, I know I'm doomed. Giving my best run of it for the next few months (several new grad residencies application windows to hit), and then looking out of state.

Currently as you can see I have a full time job with Sutter (a non-patient facing role) that I've worked for a few months. Once I've been here for 6 hopefully they will consider me for an RN something, somewhere.

Hey all, I’m a new grad nurse and my program officially starts next week. I will be working in med-surg or inpatient rehab night shift eventually in a few weeks after classes and training.

*We get to pick a unit, and I put inpatient rehab as my top preference with general medical second

I’m wondering what working day shift vs. night shift is like? I kept hearing mixed reviews about night shift, in which some would say it’s manageable and easy (you do “less work/less rounds”) or there are increased risks for burn outs and it’s actually difficult than I thought.

I just want to know what to expect when I start working night shift, and some advice for night shift so I can prepare, etc.

Thanks!

I have an interview coming up for a new grad ED RN position at an NYC H+H hospital. For anyone who’s interviewed in an H+H ED, what kinds of questions did they ask? Were they mostly behavioral, clinical scenarios, or both? Any tips appreciated!

Hi! I’m debating on where I should work. I’m from California and will be going to school in Maryland (at Johns Hopkins). I know getting a new grad job as an RN is more difficult, especially in the Bay Area. Should I work in an ICU at Hopkins in Maryland and work as an ICU nurse for a year or two OR should I work in the Bay Area at a Subacute Nursing Facility? The upside to working in Maryland is that I would already be working in a hospital, but the downside is that their salary is less and I’d be away from home. The salary would be about high 30s. The upside to working in the Bay Area is that I get to be near family and the salary would be around the 50s. The downside is that I would be working in a nursing home and I’m not sure if that experience is equally valued. I’ve been working as a CNA in the subacute facility and the staff informed me that once I graduated they’d hire me to work there as an RN. Most of the RNs that work in that facility go to hospitals after 6-8 months of working there. Although, I spoke to someone that worked here and she said after 8 months she was able to land a hospital job, but it was more inland. It is around the Stockton area. My end goal is to work in the Bay Area.

How far out in nursing school do you guys recommend applying for new grad positions? I’ve heard ppl say 6 months before graduation

I’m a Neuro day shift new grad with a 1:4 ratio, great coworkers, and NAs. The manager and educator are supportive. However, the fear and the pre and post shift anxiety is what gets me. I feel as though I’m not providing the safest care being that I’m just running around trying to get all the tasks done rather than connecting the dots. The steep learning curve of knowing what to do in all various situations. I’m not even confident enough to interpret the tele strips alone unless they’re standard NS. During the shift, it’s just a lot of taking the hits as they come. I’m also late on my documentation and the detailed wound care documentation is what gets me. Add in the fact that the anxiety is too much! I talk the bare minimum and other than that I go nonverbal. My coworkers see my normal cheery side at times but when I’m stressed I shut my mouth. At home, I just sit in paralysis and trying to shake off everything. If I quit it would be hard to get back to the hospital setting but I feel like I’m putting my license on the line. My brain draws a blank half of the time and I’m unsure if it’s because of anxiety, undiagnosed ADHD, burnout, all of the above. I have so much self doubt to the point that I don’t think this is a normal new grad feeling anymore. In a spiritual sense, I am Christian and I remind myself of the goodness of God as a way to cope. I really am just lost and I’ve been looking into outpatient nursing jobs from aesthetics or infusion centers but it seems as though most want a year of inpatient experience. Self doubt got so bad I’m even questioning if nursing is even for me. It’s only been a couple of shifts flying solo but I really don’t know if this is sustainable for me mentally, physically, and emotionally. Whenever I talk with my friends too it seems like I’m just a ball of negativity but truthfully, I don’t want to be this way.

Hi everybody,
I’m honestly at the point where I’m ready to throw in the towel and consider a career outside of the NP profession. But before I do, I figured I’d put this out there and see if anyone has been through something similar or has any advice.
I graduated from a top nursing school’s MSN Acute Care NP program this spring. I worked full-time throughout the program, traveled both in-state and out-of-state to complete my clinical rotations, and passed my courses and clinical simulations with flying colors. I even took and passed my boards before officially graduating.
I started applying for jobs early, hoping to transition into an NP role shortly after graduation. I actually received an offer, but unfortunately, I lost that opportunity because the California Board of Registered Nursing didn’t process my license in time, and the hospital couldn’t wait any longer.
Since then, I’ve applied to nearly 80 positions across California, Texas, and Florida, primarily in trauma, surgery, hospital medicine, and cardiology. Granted, many of these positions were at major hospitals, but the results have been incredibly discouraging.
Out of nearly 80 applications, I’ve received approximately 3 callbacks, 3 interviews, and one job offer. The other calls were simply to inform me that the job location or description had changed and to ask whether I was still interested. The remaining applications have resulted in rejections or complete silence.
At this point, I’m genuinely beginning to question whether pursuing this degree was worth the financial and personal sacrifices. I could have been debt-free by now, but instead, I’m over $100,000 in debt. Unfortunately, I chose a big-name university thinking the reputation would help open doors. So far, that hasn’t been my experience.
For some background, I have over seven years of nursing experience, primarily in step-down (without ventilated patients), med-surg, telemetry, ER holding, and urgent care/outpatient settings. I recognize that not having traditional ICU experience may put me at a disadvantage when applying for certain acute care positions, but I had hoped my clinical training and broader nursing background would still count for something.
For those of you who graduated as Acute Care NPs without prior ICU experience, how did you get your foot in the door? Was it this difficult to land your first position? Are there hospitals or health systems genuinely willing to hire and train new graduates?
I’m not expecting to walk into my dream job immediately. I’m simply looking for an opportunity to learn, grow, and put my education to use.
One thing I know for certain is that I want out of bedside nursing. After sustaining a significant injury at work and feeling increasingly disposable, I’m physically and emotionally ready for a change. I worked incredibly hard to get here, and it’s disheartening to feel like I’m back at square one, only now with substantially more debt.
I’d sincerely appreciate any advice, recommendations, or even a little perspective from those who have been in a similar position.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Hi! I'm graduating in May 2027 from a ABSN in a neighboring state and will be moving back to the Philadelphia/Philly suburbs area afterwards. Aside from the hospitals that have definite application windows for their nurse residency, there's a few like Temple, Penn, and Jefferson that just stick you in a cohort after you apply through the regular job listings. So, when is a decent time to start applying to those listings prior to graduating? Thanks!

Hello everyone. Im scheduled for a walk in interview at a HCA hiring event soon. I’ve applied to so many residencies and this was the only one I was invited to come in interview with. It’s been extremely hard finding a job in South Florida. I just wanted to know has any been to the HCA walk in hiring residency events and how was the process? What questions were asked? Thank you

Hi guys! Just wanna ask if you know of any agencies that offer direct-hire opportunities for newly licensed RNs with no experience. Also, is KSA a good place to start for a nurse with no experience?😊

I had an interview with UTSW Dallas for their critical care nurse residency program and I felt as thought I did great confidence wise and answering all the behavioral questions but when it came time to the end of the interview they asked me two clinical questions. One of the questions was a prioritization question of who to attend to first: pt who has a chest tube with increased drainage and having shortness of breath, pt who’s post op day 0 with increased bleeding and a BP of 118/70 that dropped to 80/40, and a pt needing assistance to the restroom. I freaked and said the post op patient because I was thinking hemorrhagic shock, but now I see that I should’ve thought of ABC’s. I wanted to know how bad is answering a clinical question wrong in an interview?:(

Hi everyone! I’m graduating this December and am starting to apply for jobs. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to take a look at my resume and offer some feedback and suggestions! Thank you!!

Hi all, I am a recent new grad. I’ve had my job for a little over a month and am really struggling with feeling any satisfaction with it. The biggest issue I’m having is struggling to fit into the work environment. It is so difficult to witness the things that happen knowing my unit and not have anyone on unit to speak to. I work nights and was hoping to make some friends at work. In college, almost all of my friends have been journalism, literature, film majors etc, so none of them work with me or work nights. I thought being a nurse would be enough in common for them to at least speak to me a bit, but I feel like a freak who nobody will speak to. Anyway, I’ve gotten pretty much solely the cold shoulder and side eyes that I do not understand. Typically I don’t have a hard time making friends, but I have never felt more lonely working while my friends sleep and not having acquaintances at work. I try so hard and haven’t made any mistakes yet, so that shouldn’t be the problem. The people I work with do make the job and unit their whole personality/life so I feel it’s very cliquey. Is it like this everywhere? I also was told so often that when I graduate I would finally have money, but my pay is 29 an hour. I’m highly considering moving states for a higher pay and different community. Do you all have any recommendations of places to go or advice?

I accepted my position for Novant’s new grad nurse residency, but I also interviewed for Atrium’s this morning. For my fellow nurses is one better than the other? I know Atrium pays more but other than that, that’s all I have so far in regard to difference.

New grad RN here with a passion for psych and long term PMHNP goals. How wise is it for a new grad to pursue an inpatient psychiatric hospital job as their first job? Specifically, does doing this "torpedo" their career because they didn't report directly to a med surge job for the expected 1-3 years of med surge?

Any input whatsoever is valid, I won't get offended.

Just wanted to know if my resumes is ass lol. I can’t seem to find a job as a new grad. I’ve applied to probably 500 jobs and have had 10 interviews.