DEPRESSED New grad. What are we suppose to do?

[Newgrad_STAT]

Hi everyone,

I know this thread is nothing new... I guess I'm just looking for some insight or something.

I finished school in June, passed and all that and I'm registered. I have been searching for about 6+ months.

I first started applying to manly hospital job postings but for the last couple of months I apply to anything. (besides Homecare- I do not have my own car)

My question is HOW am I suppose to be spending my days? ahhhhh!! I feel like time is flying by.

I have completed an ECG course and am starting ACLS which I'm studying for. (I'm praying and hoping with everything that this opens some doors). I heard from another new grad (she finished around Christmas- it took her a while too to also land a job)

I currently live at home. All I do is workout and apply to jobs.

I've received one call (during the summer for a camp nurse job- he wasn't interested when he found out I haven't received my results back yet). I went on a interview for a nurse pool position- thought the interview went well - sent a thank you card... did all I could do. Didn't get the position. That has been it......

I try to get the hiring managers names to address on each cover letter. Many times I've been hit with "Sorry we are unable to give any specifics as to who to address... that is confidential" So, I am left with putting "Dear Human resource" ( this is what human resource told me- keep in mind I have gotten Hiring managers names but what good would that do if it goes through Human Resource first?)

Many of my friends have landed positions. Most in their last yr clinical rotations.. but were secured with a position before they even wrote their exam. I can't help but compare myself to them. I LOVED my pre-grad clinical rotation. I had an awesome time... everyone in the unit (express unit- not an actual floor) told me to apply (to an open position on a new floor), gave me awesome words of encouragement and introduced me to the nurse manager... she wrote my name down and everything. I never received a call... but I heard through the grape vine that one of my male classmates did. He never stepped foot in that hospital or anything. I guess I was just really hoping for that. "Would have been perfect"

I have student loans like crazy and I have to start repaying my 2nd one at the end of the month. My other loan is calling me every damn day. Seriously, I did not sign up for this.

I mean, Somethings got to give. This is keeping me up at night. I lose hours of sleep stressing over this.

And each time I see someone they ask me "Did you find a job yet?" ...............

I guess the only good thing that has come from this is that I have lost 30+lbs. Other than that God help me

ps. And getting references are a whole other stressors. None of my nursing clnical tutors are even returning back my emails or anything. I need references to even start a volunteer application........ in the hopes of getting my foot in the door.

Wish they would have told us this before we took all these loans out :crying2::crying2: I am losing my mind!!

I live in Southern Ontario.

whoa, and excuse my typos and horrible grammar... just a little frustrated

[Newgrad_STAT]

Thank you everyone for the replies! I guess this too shall pass

[MorningLight]

Have you considered moving? Do some online searches. I got an email recently about some healthcare system in Las Vegas. Hospitals will often pay for relocation fees if they really need some nurses!

[Newgrad_STAT]

Have you considered moving? Do some online searches. I got an email recently about some healthcare system in Las Vegas. Hospitals will often pay for relocation fees if they really need some nurses!

I don't know if moving would be the best option for me at this point. Maybe once I pay off some of my student loans, get a little more independent and feel a 100% moving to another country

Thank you though for the suggestion. :)

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

What i did was get any type of job i could even non health care. who knows you might advance up that career ladder and never reuturn to nursing. i needed a job any job even if it meant $7/hr. the rest i spent my days much like you

[all4ofus, ASN, RN]

Oh, how misery loves company! Here's my own gripe:

I've been busting my a** as a tech for a year and a half now for next to nothing, and I just found out that my boss has pretty much handed the only opening on our floor to another student on a silver platter, without ever even posting the position or giving me a chance to apply. I KNOW I am a harder worker; I feel I've been passed over because I've been working while she's been NETworking.

Job hunting is so stressful! We all used to be friends in the nursing program; now we're competitors and stabbing each other in the back!!

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

When I graduated in 1995 there were no jobs, it seemed- this was in Milwaukee, WI. I applied everywhere and heard nothing for months, and a lot of my classmates were in the same boat. Then suddenly I was offered three jobs in the same week- from different places! So hang in there. The shortage and glut have always been cyclical here. We're in a glut (as in many more applicants than jobs) here now too.

Also, have you thought about grad school? That would defer your loan, right?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Have someone else proofread your letters and other application materials.

There are a couple of grammatical errors in your first post that make me concerned that that is one potential problem.

The organizational department responsible for hiring, etc. is human resources.

Your original post was asking "what are we supposed to do?"

Your application materials are someone's first impression of you, so these little things do matter. Good luck to you.

[Newgrad_STAT]

Have someone else proofread your letters and other application materials.

There are a couple of grammatical errors in your first post that make me concerned that that is one potential problem.

The organizational department responsible for hiring, etc. is human resources.

Your original post was asking "what are we supposed to do?"

Your application materials are someone's first impression of you, so these little things do matter. Good luck to you.

I know there were grammatical errors and typos... which is why I stated "whoa, and excuse my typos and horrible grammar... just a little frustrated :no:"

Thanks though

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

There is a push nationwide for 80% of nurses to have BSN level education by 2015 (date may be wrong). So there is a push in academia to educate these people but NO JOBS available. According to the goals for my area of the country, we should be graduating the same number of BSN's EACH YEAR for the next four years as are actually employed right now. Ridiculous. I coould retire now, but not eligible for medicare for another year and Congress wants to push that back till age 67 so a lot of my co-workers refuse to retire to make room for the younger generation. I believe it is unethical to push these students thru only to make them unemployable.

[archangel31]

I am soooo sorry that you are experiencing this. As for your loans, do they not have forbearance options if you are not working? And I am going to say it, I am a Medical Assistant. (I say it that way because I have read some nasty comments regarding our education) Anyhoo, I have experienced the same as you have, I graduated in '09, applied to all of the positions possible, had 3 interviews between '09-'10, nothing. I volunteer in the health room at the Catholic school my children attend. I do not use hardly any of my training, but I am working with the children as a whole, and I have been asked to substitute for some of the teachers and staff lately. On the whole, it is good experience for when I go to nursing school in Spring '12 because I want to be a school nurse. Also, our credit rating is bad, and that has, in my opinion, had an effect on my chances because employers do check that. I tell the MA students, look at all possibilities for internships, even if unpaid, until you get hired, because more employers are wanting EXPERIENCED people. That is good in theory, but they do not take into consideration as to how the new grads will get experience if they do not get hired??? Like the other replies, also look into LTC facilities for some work experience and money. Blessings to you:)

[klone, MSN, RN]

There is a push nationwide for 80% of nurses to have BSN level education by 2015 (date may be wrong).

2020. That's for magnet, though - not all facilities.

[Jenni811, RN]

volunteer at the hospital. since you have all this time, put some volunteer hours to at least get your name in. that will get you one step ahead.