NYC new grad RN job search is destroying me
Hi, 2025 new grad nurse here. It’s currently May 2026 and I’m still unemployed after applying literally everywhere I can think of clinics, long term care facilities, aesthetics, hospitals, etc. But everywhere wants at least 1 year of experience, even for “entry level” jobs.
I wasn’t trained in the US, so I honestly don’t have any networking connections, professors, or preceptors here that I can reach out to. I’ve been applying nonstop on Indeed and LinkedIn (even got LinkedIn Premium btw… still trying to figure out if that was worth it lol) and it’s just rejection after rejection.
I keep seeing posts from people getting into their dream units right out of nursing school and I’m genuinely happy for them, but also so jealous at the same time because I feel so behind. I’ve been trying to look into nurse residency programs too, but places like Mount Sinai Health System or NYU Langone Health barely have any clear information posted.
At this point I honestly don’t know what to do anymore. Should I go back to the country I trained in, work for a year, and come back? Move upstate? Get endorsed into NJ? I feel completely lost right now.
Honestly, any advice at all would be greatly appreciated. And lastly, I truly hope everyone here is able to get into their dream unit someday !