Thought I would have a job by now. Getting depressed

[SWRNUSA]

I have been scrolling here and there on this website and I am sure this has been discussed, but I will ask for myself. I am a May graduate with my ADN and I am currently enrolled in the BSN program. I really thought by now I would have a job. I have applied to over 40 positions and I have even applied in the DFW area and still have not landed even one interview. I am really scared. I got into nursing school when I was 29, and here I am 31 now with a young child to care for and I can't get a job. If I go in person, they tell me to apply online. I leave my resume and nothing. I was top of my class and have experience and a trained phlebotomist and our instructors told us of this "nursing shortage" which I am realizing is either not here, or just bologna. I am starting to feel depressed as my student loans will be due to start in October and I just want to work. Any advice? I have applied to every single hospital within a 150 mile radius, 20+ nursing homes and home health agencies. I am starting to feel like you will not become a nurse unless you personally know someone who can hook you up, which is ridiculous!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

What the heck is going to happen when all these new grads without jobs look into other careers/jobs and do not come back to nursing and the older nurses retire? You will start from scratch and the wages will be very low due to reimbursement and such.../QUOTE]

....nah, nursing salaries have been pretty much stagnant for the past. 20-30 years...if anything, there will be a pop-up if refresher courses...it's real cyclical...This generation of nurses have a real chance to be agents of change; remember these moments, use the nursing process and the knowledge once one starts their career, and find a way to tweak the profession in ANY way.

[mstacyi]

I know that it get depressing when you have such high hopes after NS. It happened to me. It took me 3 months to finally be allow to take my nclex and then 3 months to actually land a job. It took me all the resources, ass kissing, and small talks to get a position within my company i was already working in. Hang in there, something will come up eventually.

[emmasuern]

A couple years ago I did some work with ****** ******* Clinics. It was really easy to get hired. They do flu shots. You have to be really on top of it to get shifts. It should be nationwide. I still get emails from them every year. Look into it.

[m0lasses]

Clinics are definitely hiring new grads in my area. Also, really consider tweaking your cover letter for quality over quantity. I also applied for many jobs out of school with no response. When I stopped doing that, started really targeting my cover letter and resume, and being selective, I started getting interviews for nearly every position I applied for, except with the biggest hospitals here. Also, call the recruiters and managers, or consider walking on to a unit or into a facility and speaking with the manager, charge, or educator. A friend of mine did that in 6 places and now has interviews at places she didn't even go to, because the person who she met on on of those units really liked her. Good luck and don't give up. At 7 months after graduation, all but 3 people in my class of 60+have jobs with about half of those being their "dream job".

[SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN]

To the original poster, please know that what I am about to state is in now way diminishing how you feel -- I am sorry that you have not been able to find a job, but try to be in my shoes, I have been looking since last year, I got laid off from the job that I have had for the past 20 plus years two weeks before sitting for boards, and I am much older than you. Having said this, I am saddened by your situation more because you have a child, and this must be really hard, so please hang in there.

I live in South Florida, and hospitals here do not want to have walk-ins in HR, so I am being forced to apply online, only to be rejected in a blink of an eye.

I agree with a previous poster, try to see if you can defer your loans since you are unemployed. I have heard you can do this.

Sending you a big hug.

[SleeepyRN]

Yes, the nursing "shortage" is over, been over for years.

Keep looking. When your loans are due, request a forbearance while you are unemployed. It takes ADN nurses up to 2 years to find work, BSN nurses 1 year in most areas of the country, even if one relocates. Keep your eyes peeled for new grad residencies, get hired at flu shot clinics. Whatever it takes to put your foot in the door. Good luck.

Since you are enrolled in school, if it is at least half time, your lians should be able to be deferred which is different and looks better than a forbearance. Call and get that taken care of. I just did so myself a couple days ago.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Since you are enrolled in school, if it is at least half time, your lians should be able to be deferred which is different and looks better than a forbearance. Call and get that taken care of. I just did so myself a couple days ago.

^Yes...Sleepy is correct-you should be able to make a deferment; depending on if you are qualified. The best way to find out is to contact your loan services; usually if you are in school, and you are using financial aid through the same servicer, at least in my area, they will send the notice that they are deferred; at least in my experience.

I found out I was eligible for deferment; most deferments can be based on time periods, etc. Again, find out you are eligible for. Good luck!