RN turns barista...

Getting a paycheck will build your self esteem and help pay the bills. You can continue your job search around your work hours. Although if it was me, I would consider working as a nursing assistant before the other types of jobs because I think it would go over better in a job interview that one still tried to be in the nursing field somewhere. Good luck.

What a brave message you have written. I think there comes a point where we still have to live and make money, even if that means taking a non-medical related job for a while. I think people will look at you and see a hard-working individual who has the drive to keep working toward goals, despite setbacks like a crappy economy. Good luck to you.

Are you opposed to working in a non-hospital healthcare environment such as a nursing home, home health agency, hospice house, dialysis center, or private duty? Many of these places do not advertise jobs online or in the newspaper, so you'll need to walk in and apply in person if you want employment.

I'm sorry that you're having difficulty finding work as an RN. Good luck to you!

I agree with TheCommuter. You should at least drop your applications in "other" nursing facilities aside from the hospital (by this time you should've sent your application to different hospitals) while waiting for their call as it takes time for them to schedule their trainings and if they if they have an opening. You could be a private duty nurse for a while or maybe in clinics. Try those too, as these areas are other fields of nursing and will definitely look good on your resume.

Good Luck!

I know how you feel. I graduated in May and am still looking for an RN position. ANYWHERE! Even the SNFs and LTCs in my city want 'at least 1 year experience' I managed to snag a seasonal position doing flu shots, but the vaccines ran out about a month and a half into it. So I'm back on the market.

In the mean time I, too, am looking for a non-nursing job (hostess, waitress, barista, etc.). But then I run into the brick wall again of, we'd rather hire some one with experience. Seriously?! I know how to talk to people, and I practically have a degree in how to take care of customers. I'm now looking into seasonal positions at places like the Gap. They tend to hire more sales people for the holidays and I won't feel bad if by some miracle I do get an RN job and have to leave after only a month or two.

I'm also volunteering at a hospital doing child life stuff on a pedi unit (my ideal RN workplace). That way, I've stuck my foot in the door and will hopefully meet some people who can help me out in getting my new grad RN position (even if it doesn't exist yet).

Like you, my ego is severely bruised. I feel like a failure, an embarrassment, and a burden on my family. Nearly every night I break down into tears because I feel so out of control of my future. I'm hoping by making a some money maybe the 'burden' part of that will dissapate and I'll get some of my confidence back.

This HAS to work out for us eventually, right? Keep your chin up

If your going to work at a Starbucks, work at located in a hospital. You might network your way into a nursing job.

You gotta do what you gotta do in order to survive.

If you can afford to be without an income then I'd choose to keep up the hunt while volunteering in some local hospitals and taking certification and CNE classes.

My ego's been bruised, too. My only solace is that I was very successful in my prior profession so I know that I can excel at professional-level work.

Thats really interesting, though I think I'd rather be a bartender ^_^

I moved cross-country after I graduated last year, without any job prospects, and did pick up a part-time job at a Starbucks a couple of months before I landed my job in the hospital. Fast-forward ten months: I'm still working both (even though the barista gig is only about 10-15 hours a week). The scheduling can get a little hairy, especially since I work nights at the hospital, but I really love both sets of coworkers and slinging coffee is fun. It's also great to have a side job where you don't have to worry about doing someone serious harm by making a mistake (although some customers would disagree with that). And did I mention the free coffee? It makes you hugely popular with night shifters

If it's all that seems to be available, why not go for a non-nursing job? In this economy, I don't think any potential employer would fault you for doing whatever it takes to make ends meet.