America needs nurses? Doesnt look like it!

Nurses New Nurse

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Hello from a very frustrated and depressed Israeli RN.

It's been almost 6 months since i started looking for a job and i still dont have any. I have applied to a numerous hospitals for so many positions and no one calls me back.

I graduated from college cum laude, i passed my NCLEX-RN from the very first attempt, i am very motivated and eager to work. The only problematic thing is that i dont have much of experience(6-8 months pure experience).

But then again, i apply only for those positions that do not require experience at all, like positions for new grads or for positions that require only limited experience. And still i do not get any calls back. In close to 6 months i had only 2 interviews, THATS IT! What is wrong with me besides the fact that i am not a very experienced nurse? But I solved it by applying for specific positions that would accept even a new grad. How come they reject me and immediately decide they dont want me if they dont even know me and I answer their criteria? What i learned that hospitals hire their new grads, who studied in the nursing school, affiliated to their hospital. While being a student, during hospital training and practice or part time work, students book in advance their places in the hospital and go to work there as soon as they pass their NCLEX. So the ONLY people with no experience that the hospital will accept-is its own students. Is it fair to other nurses? I dont think so. Sort of discrimination isnt it? So i am neither their new grad, nor a very exprienced nurse. Where do i come in the picture? Nowhere, right? So S***w me and dont hire me.

Its ridiculous and sad that in almost 6 months i applied for about 30 different positoins and i do not get ANY CALLS BACK WHATSOEVER. Is it normal?

Ok, one last thing to ask-there are companies that provide employment to nurses and other medical professions-like"Nursing stuffing" whatever.

Its not travel nursing but if you agree they send to to different hospital every shift within the city or state. You're being like a substitute nurse for a specific shift in a specific hospital. The company however offers you a benefits.

I dont know whether its worth working like that but what to do if every hospital doesnt want me for a reason i dont know about.

Thanks for the attention

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

It probably wouldn't hurt to have someone take a look at your resume & cover letters & see if they could use some tweaking. Good luck to you. :)

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

That's a good suggestion from MLOS.

Here are a few more:

Apply online (Many hospitals prefer online applications). Also what area of the country are you in? The nursing "shortage" is not nationwide. Some areas are very short and others are not. The area I work in is always in fierce competition for nurses - with sign on bonuses, etc.

Also, contact the recruiter at one of the hospitals that did not hire you and ask her why they did not hire you. They may be very candid with you and this may help you in the future with your Job Search.

As for the agency nursing, most require 1 years experience.

I would also post your question on the general nursing discussion. I think you'll get more responses there.

I wish you the best.

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You need at least one year of experience to do agency or temp nursing, and if the agency tells you otherwise, then run from them. You do not get orientation time that you get as a regualr employee, you are there to strictly work for the day when the unit is short staffed, and doens't have the time to orient you.

You need experience first.

Where are you located?

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Specializes in Family.

I also am a believer in the idea of aggravating the snot out of HR, lol! I got my job I have now by calling the NM myself. I had previously applied online and she had never even gotten my app. By calling you at least make sure they've heard your name.

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About 5 years ago, nursing schools in my area and across the country were desperate for students and there were many jobs open for the few who attended nursing school. In the last few years, however, those programs have filled to capacity and therefore, sent many new nurses into the work force.

One thing you must understand about the "shortage" is there isn't one. There are about 500,000 to 450,000 people in the United States who are Registered Nurses and aren't working. There are 150,000 unfilled RN positions right now. So that means America has a surplus of about 300,000 - 350,000 RN's. Working conditions are beginning to improve in some areas and this is bringing MANY of America's unemployed licensed RN's back into the workforce (something that wasn't quite predicted). Hospitals where I grew up stopped hiring foreign nurses a year or two ago and have cut back on travel nursing significantly.

America's need for nurses comes and goes every few years. There are still jobs out there, but definitely not like 3 or 4 years ago.

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Sent you a PM.

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Guys i appreciate all of your advices but I did all those things you told me. In 6 months that i am looking for job i did EVERYTHING. I applied, i called, i asked, i went personally, i reviewed and changed my resume with professional help

I did them million times. So i dont know whats not working here.

I am in Conway, Arkansas. I applied to ALL hospitals in Little Rock and the story is the same in every one of them.

I understand that hospitals mostly want someone experienced, but look, people are not born with experience, gotta start somewhere.

Thank you all

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By the way, i forgot to mention i came to the US not with working visa, just for an employment.

I came here to live with my husband, who is U.S. citizen and i will be getting my green card soon.

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I am a foreigner and am in a similar situation as Woman_in_love. I came from another state, armed with a BSN and full of hopes. I just had my RN license in Oregon.

To my dismay, I found the recruitment of new grad nurses very rigid in Portland and its vicinity. I tried almost everything...but doors virtually got slammed in my face.

Openings for new RNs are limited. There're many Nursing Jobs in the ad but they need at least one year of RN experience. Where am I going to get the one year of experience? I also found the number of hospital beds below the national average!! Schools seem to be producing nurses like what factories do. :(

It is very depressing for me. I have jumped from a pan of opportunities back in one state to barren grounds in another.

It is all but a delusion.

*depressed*

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Is there any chance of moving to a "shortage" area? Or, commuting further?

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My BSN is from the midwest. I guess I should have just stayed there where almost all my former classmates are.

I came here because my spouse is working here. I am looking at hospitals further from Portland. However, commute time is at least 1 hour of driving one way. For a 12 hour shift, there won't be much time left for sleep. It is hard to live separately. In addition, there is no guarantee that jobs will be available.

I am just sad to stay at home and being jobless. I just have to keep trying.

Is it common for nurses to drive so far off to work everyday?

Meanwhile, I guess I have to get a RN license from neighboring states ...just in case all else fails here. It is really hard on the marriage though.

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