How did you support yourself financially?

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

So this question is for nurses that have had a very difficult time finding a job especially new-grads. I want to know how did you guys/gals support yourself while unemployed after graduation? How did you get the money to pay for rent, student loans, and other bills? I know some people got jobs right out of school, I am more interested in survival. Some people went like a year with out a nursing job, how did those people survive? Did you work at a fast food joint? Any ideas for survival will help.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

1. Some people accept lower-paying jobs outside of nursing: retail, call centers, etc.

2. Some of the second-career folks are able to return to their previous jobs until a nursing position opens up somewhere.

3. Some new grads have spouses who earn enough income to support the entire family.

4. Other new grads still live at home and depend on their parents for financial support.

5. Many new grads are working in lower-paying healthcare jobs: CNAs, phlebotomists, home health aides, hospital unit secretaries, rehab techs, EMTs, etc.