Depressed after graduation. Is it normal?

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi all. I graduated a ADN program in NE Ohio December 2013,(at the age of 46) took and passed NCLEX in February but still can't find a job. I had this vision all through school of graduating, getting my license and working as an RN by February. Obviously it didn't work out that way and I've been getting more depressed by the day. I'm starting to doubt my decision to become a nurse, and I haven't even starting to work as one. Part of the problem is, I've applied every where, had several interviews and get turned down. If you do get told the reason why, it's via a generic email. What happened to good old honest feedback?! Also the major hospitals in the Cleveland area mostly want at least 1 years experience. How are you supposed to get that if no one will hire you. Even the Nursing Home I work at wants a years RN experience even though I was working as an STNA for a year. Any one else having these problems? I hope not!

Based on my experience, talking with former classmates, and seeing enough posts on AN, yes it's normal to feel depressed after nursing school. You were under a lot of stress during your coursework and if youre like me you said 'if I can just get through this....' over and over again. Now that you are on the other side (CONGRATS!!) you need to find your footing. Keep trying, you will be ok!

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Dear Baymar,

I graduated from nursing school in 1973 at 19 years old. Guess what, at this time with a varied nursing background I am running into similar problems. Is it depressing, you bet it is. As others have said just get in the door some where and pray a whole lot. I am probably going to get bashed for saying this, but I believe the HR department is going to be the end of us all. I also fax resumes...no reply. I leave messages no return phone calls. Not only is this rude it is unprofessional. Please hang in there, you do care and you are exactly the type of nurse's we need.

Lizzy

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Yeah, I've decided any experience I can get will just further me along. I just feel the longer I go with out using my skills the more I'll lose them. I think we all come out of nursing school feeling unprepared as it is. So a year without using my skills is very scary. You'll find something, you have the right attitude to persevere.

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Hi Nola, your right, we ate, slept and drank nursing school for so long and every day had its hurdles, but we made it! I have to remember this and celebrate my success, which I never really did. I'm the type of person who finishes a task and moves onto the next. Planning everything out just doesn't work all the time and it's a good lesson for me because it's the same in Nursing.

Good luck to you and thanks for the encouragement :)

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Hi Lizzy. I'm with you on HR and the hiring managers. I think it has a lot to do with personalities being judge and not your abilities. I think the more you have riding on this, the more nervous you are when interviewing and they take that as a sign of either you can't handle stress or you have no personality. Which is not true. At least with me, I kind of feel coworkers out before letting them know the funny side of me.

But this is just a guess because like you said, no feed back, no return calls just leaves you wondering....

thank you for the kind words and good luck in your search!

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I got licensed in February, started applying for jobs at the end of February, and have had 4 interveiws, 3 offers and will be working soon! I am about an hour and fifteen minutes from Cleveland so if you are willing to commute PM me and I will give you ideas on places that are willing to train new grads in my area. No, it's not in a hospital, but they are rehabs and are a very good place to get your feet wet!

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Thanks kaydensmom! Are you east or west of Cleveland?

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SE of Cleveland- the Youngstown area.

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