It's Tough Out There!

[Anna Flaxis]

I know this has been covered extensively, but I've been on a job hunt for a while now, and I have to say it is tough out there!!!

At first I was holding out for my "ideal" job. But now I'll be happy to take what I can get just to get my foot in the door.

I'm not even a new grad seeking my first job. I've got six years' experience, several certs, and excellent references, and I'm still putting in multiple applications with no calls back!

A lot of positions are being filled by internal applicants, and I've been applying outside the system I'm currently employed in, so that's part of it. If I were to apply for a transfer within my current system, I'd probably have another job by now....but I want to relocate, and my current system doesn't own any facilities where I want to move to.

But sheesh, I'm sure glad I'm not a new grad out there trying to find something!

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I think about how hard it is to find a nursing job, and how insanely lucky I am to be on evening shift and I seriously want to throw myself at my supervisor's feet and kiss them.

*** Yes of course you do. That is EXACTLY why the decision to create a glut of nurses was taken. Employers of nurses were sick and tired of having to treat their staff fairly and pay them decently so colluded with nursing education institutions to deliberately create an over supply of nurses. To make things worse they used nurses money (tax payer money) to do it.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

strange that maybe it's regional too- where I am they do hire new grads- I rarely see anyone else. They also all conveniently seem to be in the 20 year old range.

[DoGoodThenGo]

How do I tell HR I will settle for less money? I just want to work. When I call HR, they act all dumb and pause like no one has ever asked to speak to the HR Director in charge. I don't want to put a black mark on my name. I feel like they have that power without even knowing me or giving me a chance. I don't feel like the Nursing Recruiter or top HR people want to be contacted by RNs that want/need a job because there is no where on the website that gives out that kind of contact information. I just don't understand that. Anyone with knowledge on this please tell me. Getting so bummed. Can't lie on my resume.

Just so you know it is very unusual for any random telephone caller or even in person visitor to reach HR directors of *any* sort of employer. Things might be different for a very small office or such, but otherwise unless you have been contacted directly, responding to an advertisement and or given such information with permission it just doesn't happen.

Historically employers of all stripes also look askance at persons willing to work for below normal wages and or willing to take a substantial pay cut beneath their previous. It just causes warning bells to go off about desperation which means there *might* be something else in the background going on. Another real fear is that such persons are willing to "settle" as a remedy for a particular personal crisis, once that is over they will push for more money and or go elsewhere.

Regarding the gatekeepers putting you off, that is what they are supposed to do; giving out a name or putting a caller through that shouldn't can get someone fired or at least sat down and spoken to. Besides you don't want to speak with a HR person who is not in the mood or otherwise receptive to your telephone call.

[manusko]

How do I tell HR I will settle for less money? I just want to work. When I call HR they act all dumb and pause like no one has ever asked to speak to the HR Director in charge. I don't want to put a black mark on my name. I feel like they have that power without even knowing me or giving me a chance. I don't feel like the Nursing Recruiter or top HR people want to be contacted by RNs that want/need a job because there is no where on the website that gives out that kind of contact information. I just don't understand that. Anyone with knowledge on this please tell me. Getting so bummed. Can't lie on my resume.[/quote']

I agree that I would question anything that seemed desperate. Also I don't believe that HR would care if you would take less money. I don't believe they get anything extra for getting you to sign for less money. It's not always about money for a unit. My unit interviewed people and hired the best fit and not the one they had to pay less to get.

[TamDar429]

I live in a Southern state.

[TamDar429]

Thank you DoGood.

[TamDar429]

Thank you Morificeco.

[jeroboam]

You need to relocate. There are plenty of areas, urban and rural, with markets that need experienced nurses. I've read countless threads on this forum about this subject. Yes, new grads are having big problems. For the most part, experienced RNs are not. If you're unlucky enough to be in an area where it's tough for experienced RNs, then the answer is to move.

I know I'll get pilloried for saying that, but if I was unemployed for months, I would go where the jobs are. I think most men have this attitude. Most women do not. It's "I don't want to leave my parents", or their friends, or their hometown, etc. If you're married, well, that's a different story. Hopefully the husband is working. Then again, I know a number of men who have relocated because of their wives who wanted to work in a different location. But if you're single, I suggest you pack your car and hit the road. After you've accepted the job offer, of course.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

You need to relocate. There are plenty of areas, urban and rural, with markets that need experienced nurses. I've read countless threads on this forum about this subject. Yes, new grads are having big problems. For the most part, experienced RNs are not. If you're unlucky enough to be in an area where it's tough for experienced RNs, then the answer is to move.

I know I'll get pilloried for saying that, but if I was unemployed for months, I would go where the jobs are. I think most men have this attitude. Most women do not. It's "I don't want to leave my parents", or their friends, or their hometown, etc. If you're married, well, that's a different story. Hopefully the husband is working. Then again, I know a number of men who have relocated because of their wives who wanted to work in a different location. But if you're single, I suggest you pack your car and hit the road. After you've accepted the job offer, of course.

Who are you addressing?

I am employed as an RN, have been for six years. The original post was about how difficult it is for even an experienced RN to get their foot in the door, at least in my neck of the woods.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

Star gazer - I am curious to know if you applied to any travel assignments? It looks like there are alot of them available. But again it could be postings for jobs that don't exist.