New Grad No Job- extremely depressed.

Nurses New Nurse

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I know there are other topics on here about this- I've read them all. I'm feeling so so depressed lately. I graduated in October 2011 with my BSN and passed my NCLEX in November.

I started applying for jobs in August, hoping to have one set up when I graduated- with no luck. But I kept high spirits knowing that that would have only been ideal for that to happen and I wasn't really expecting it. So October I started applying again once I graduated (Cum Laude, in Honor Society, etc. etc.). Ok, no call backs, but maybe it's because I didn't pass my NCLEX yet. So, I passed my NCLEX- tried again. This time I applied everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE within a 2 HOUR drive of Chicago (Aurora, Joliet, you name it). Ok. Maybe no call backs because I don't have my license number yet from Illinois. SO I got my license number. applied everywhere again!! and more! even 'unwanted' jobs- abortion clinics, drug rehabs, etc. Still no calls.

I am so so depressed. I am questioning why I got my degree and license. My student loans will be coming soon and me working as a waitress currently will definitely not cut it. Actually it already isn't enough- I have to ask my parents for help with my bills this month. I live with my boyfriend and I'm asking him to relocate with me to central/southern Illinois because maybe I could find a job there, but he says he can't. So I would have to be alone and move somewhere I would absolutely hate.

I am now to the point of applying for irrelevant jobs to nursing- data entry, secretary, receptionist, customer service, and on. (With no luck in that either!!) I need a full time job.

So, in conclusion. Any advice? I am so beyond depressed I can't even eat or sleep.

So, update- I have found a job- part time. Finally! I've worked there for 2 months now. The pay is unbelievably low for this area, and they don't offer benefits, but I am so happy to just finally have my foot in the door. For the past 2 months I have continued to apply for hospitals jobs and I haven't even gotten a call for an interview since February. I'm still not making my bills and I had to get my student loans deferred due to not making enough. I am probably going to move back in with my parents next month. But still. So relieved and grateful I at least am making progress.

I graduated in Dec 11 - passed the boards in Feb 12 and here we are in May and still no job.. Ive worked at my current hospital for 15yrs and even there I am getting the same ol reply "we're not hiring new grads." I'm really reluctant to give up 15yrs of service to my hospital and start a new but by the looks of things I have no choice.

I live in Northern Ca and there is absolutely no nursing shortage here.. it used to be the case if you cant find a job in N-Cal move to S-cal - well i have applied for over 300 jobs up and down the state and I have recieved callbacks and the one of the nurse recruiters asked me why I was looking for a job after working at *** for 15yrs.. I explained that I was pursuing RN opportunities and she was very honest and said "I'm reluctant to offer you a position because my gut is telling me that once you have the exp that is required for *** hospital you will be out of here."

So now I do not want to wait another 5-6 months and I'm fortunate that I dont have a family to consider when relocating, its just me so I'm thinking of taking a leave of absence and moving out of state for 1-2yrs. But where oh where do I go? Where are the jobs for new grads? I was thinking of moving to Arizona/Texas/Ohio?/Oklahoma...

Any advise Please?

KG, before I got my part time job in my area, I applied to tons of jobs out of state too. No luck in Illinois, Wisconsin, or Indiana- however! I did end up getting a position offered to me from University of Iowa hospitals ( they're magnet and super nice!) but since I found this job I didn't take it. But anyways so I know at least they will hire new grads from out of state?

KG,

I will suggest you to not try AZ. It is as bad as CA. But try Iowa, Texas, and VA for sure. I got at least 8 interviews after 2 months applying all over countries. I really meant it. All over countries...not just specific states, however I got best response from TEXAS AND VA. So apply for these two. Best luck!!!

Thank You for the advice guys! Second question - about license? Should I apply for a Texas license now and just swallow up the $$ in case something comes up in Ca (wishful thinking at this point)... Do I wait to get called for an Interview before I apply?

Specializes in ICU.

A friend of mine who lives in Mass got a job in Arizona. Plenty of jobs in Orlando, FL, Dallas Texas, other cities in Texas.

what are the organization or hospitals names in these areas? Im considering moving but know there must be tons of hospitals in these cities.

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
A friend of mine who lives in Mass got a job in Arizona. Plenty of jobs in Orlando, FL, Dallas Texas, other cities in Texas.

This information is so erroneous. I live in the DFW area. New grads are out of work here all over the place. There are over 35 nursing schools in the DFW area churning out new grads approximately every six months. Every new grad job posting averages 300-600 applicants. There are people who graduated a year ago who still have not found work. In particular getting into hospitals is difficult unless you know someone on the inside. New grads are not hired into hospitals here without internships or residencies. Those come twice a year.

All the major cities in Texas are saturated. You CAN, however, find work in places few want to live - rural (more than 1.5 miles outside of major cities) and along the Texas/Mexico border. Some of those are still offering sign on bonuses and recruiting from overseas. Just heard about a place in Pecos, Texas on this board two days ago.

But no, Texas is not the mecca for new grad RNs. Sorry. That is a rumor that is finally starting to die. People up and moved here thinking a job would fall in their lap. Now reading about them moving back to where they came from without ever getting a nibble. Be smart. Don't move anywhere without a job offer in writing and firm start date in hand.

It is really scary to think that people have to move states away to get a job in nursing, the profession everyone tells us is so secure and in demand. Congrats on getting a job! I am sure now that you are getting experience it will be much easier next time around when you are applying.

Congrats on getting a job!!

For others still looking (myself included), try UAB (magnet) in Birmingham. Birmingham has a cool downtown and a lot to do, actually. Or try east Tennessee. I'm from Knoxville, TN, and it has a nice climate and is near the Smoky mountains/lots of outdoor activities. Try Covenant Health in E Tennessee.

I graduated in May of 2011 with an A.D.N. I applied to several positions and finally found a job at a GI office as a triage nurse with no hands on experience. I lasted about 9 months because I couldn't take it working with a mentor who was so negative and complained everyday. She treated everyone so bad in the office. She even cursed at a worker for moving boxes behind her. I had to sit right next to this nurse everyday and it was stressing me out. I felt so much tension sitting next to her everyday. She even got annoyed with me because I told someone in the office that they were doing a great job. She seems to thrive off of a negative atmosphere. I tried to stay positive but dealing with her was so exhausting and I started coming home everyday with a negative attitude. This nurse made me hate my job. I didn't complain to the manager because the negative nurse was friends with her. I was the 5th or 6 nurse to leave the office because of this nurse. I guess that's why that had an opening. I wish I had stuck it out for at least a year but I couldn't focus on patient care because this nurse had me walking on egg shells everyday. I felt like I was afraid to move with out being criticized for something irrelevant. I'm back at the daunting task of looking for another nursing job. I'm very shy and I have to get to know someone before I can relax and talk around someone,etc. I honestly don't know how I got the GI office because I have really bad interview skills, and I've been a homemaker for years for getting into the nurse program. I don't have much on my resume. I had a professional do my resume and I do get interviews but I don't get the job. I'm so depressed and frustrated. I've signed up for classes at a community college so that I can apply for BSN program at UIC. I'm having a hard time getting motivated because the opportunities are very scarce for an RN with very little experience.

I'm married so moving away to another state isn't an option for me. I currently live in Illinois and finding a job out here seems impossible. I'm getting nervous because I feel like I've lost the hands on skills I learned during clinical and I will never find a nursing job the longer I am unemployed. Any advice?

Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).

It now has been a year since your post.How have things been going job wise?

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