Depressed RN

Have you considered agency work or home health? I know that Maxim Healthcare will hire anyone with a valid nursing license. They can place you in facilities or you can work in home health. Another agency in the area is Interim or Pathways. If you are ready to give up like I did, I found work in the southern part of the state. I found I could no longer tolerate being unemployed in the Bay area. As much as I hated to leave, I had to. Good luck.

I'm having the same problem. I'm from the bay area, moved to the central valley 8 yrs ago. I was an LVN, now I have my RN license. I have applied everywhere, no luck with the hospitals in my area. The only offer I have had is from a traveling nurse agency, which I have applied for...it's been a very long process though....I have filled out two packets of paperwork and the online application....still waiting to start working as an RN.

That's why I say "Nursing shortage my A$$". I am starting to believe it's not what you know but who you know. I agree that registry would get you some shifts and it's a great way to learn about different facilities. I was always interested in Kaiser (that was before I did my homework) and discovered that there was only 1 registry that they used in Orange County.

I joined up with them and went to Kaiser for over a year. Throughout that time I was endlessly recruited to work there, become permanent staff. They promised me the sun, the moon and stars. Thank God I declined because I have never seen more horrible practice and policy. I notified my agency I would never go there again.

Keep a record of your job search, contacts and follow ups. Go to conferences and job fairs and get to know staffers. Stay connected in nurse web sites. Take a class or volunteer. Don't give up.