Nursing: Awesome and Horrible

[AmaruAgent]

Ok. As a nurse its nice to provide background information. This is a thread/story about how nice the occupation is and how horrible it is to find a job for a new grad or inexperienced nurse.

I am a 38 yo male and will be father of two.

I am not Einstein but I got good grades through pre-reqs and during the RN program. I did it with pure hard work, long hours, dedication and no life. Passed the California Board with ease and was the only one of my class CHOSEN by the school to do senior preceptorship at the Emergency Department (I chose Med-Surg as a strategic choice). I didnt work during school because I didnt think I can handle it, plus my commute was 1hr. So, I graduated with no experience. After applications after applications, many crying nights and TWO years I landed a job at a local blood bank.

This blood bank gave me the only opportunity and I took it thankfully. I do love the job and environment, but knew deep down inside there was no care involved (finish this sentence nurses...if you dont use it...you _______) I was asked if I wanted to be a manager and I accepted it knowing that it will move me off the floor and more into administrative work. I took it and the pay was super attractive.

I then found myself off the floor and staring at four walls and a computer screen, signing papers after papers, and doing things unrelated to nursing. Honestly it is a dream job...it was easy, it was a fun environment and the pay was great!

But like the movie inception...an idea burned inside me. The idea to move out and find something more fulfilling...

It has been two years and I can get hired anywhere. There are SOOOOOO many jobs in northern california and I am willing to relocate, but I cant get a job. I believe it is due to my inexperience in anything acute/sub-acute or clinical. Hemodialysis is hard to get into as my job is very similar, infusion nurse wont give me a chance.

I love nursing, because I have been a caregiver for all kinds and even dealt with hospice care and seeing patients take their last breath. I am so into providing care.

I guess I am trying to vent because I started this in 2003 and it is now 2014. I think its kind of too late to give up but sooo long of trying that I should give up.

I just wish that institutions should seriously consider folks like me or new grads because of longitivtiy, right thing to do, and for filling the position. There are so many jobs out there. Since 2009, not too many new grads from my school are able to find jobs and sooo many people are discouraged.

Please nursing leaders! Consider people like us. We might be that 6th round draft pick that takes you to the superbowl. We might be that diamond in the ruff. We might be that kid you picked on and is now CEO!

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

How about those of us who graduated with jobs already? There is no place in the poll for that category.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

When you're a brand new grad, you really don't have skills TO lose. So please don't spend any time or energy worrying about "Losing my skills." It can't happen; you can't lose what you haven't got. Later, when you have a job in which these epemeral skills matter, teaching them will be a part of the orientation process. But it's only after you've been practicing those skills for a year or more without a preceptor hovering behine you that you will have actually acquired skills to be in danger of losing!

[darkangelRN]

Don't give up if bedside nursing is what you truly want! My class just graduated a month and a half ago. Everyone who didn't work at a hospital during school is having a really difficult time even getting an interview. It seems the bachelor's degree students are having a little more luck. I am just thankful for the sleepless nights of work and school or I would probably not have a job right now. A couple people landed LTC jobs and plan to leave in a year with their year experience that is required for most hospital jobs. Keep trying and being proactive! Call and bug people in HR! Check hospital websites daily and apply to all jobs. My friend got an interview to a job that required more experience than she had, and they referred her to another floor and they gladly hired her. Good luck to you. And I agree with your diamond in the ruff statement!

[Nola009]

Good luck. I feel your pain.