Need some encouragement

Nurses General Nursing

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It is coming on a year since I graduated. I have applied to countless jobs and interviewed for 8 of them. I have tried volunteering but told that I can't volunteer in any clinical setting since I am a RN. I don't know how much more of this I can take. I just want to work as a nurse. I worked for a year as a student nurse and thought that would help me in my job search but it hasn't. One manager told me that I shouldn't give up hope but she never ended up hiring me. I feel like I wasted so much money and time for nothing. Now my license needs to be renewed and I don't even have the money to do that. Should I spend another couple hundred of $$ I don't have for a useless license? I know I probably will but it is just so annoying!!! The thing that makes all this worse is that no one can believe that a nurse can have so many problems finding a job. Sorry for the pity party I am just at the end of my rope.

At least you didnt get fired from your first nursing job.:lol2:

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

Thanks everyone! I just needed to vent and I'm sure my family is sick about it. I have a lot of things to feel fortunate about. I have a wonderful family that is very supportive during this difficult time. Things could be a lot worse! I will renew my license and keep trying! I really enjoyed working as a student nurse. Hopefully there is a job out there for me. I think my interview skills are pretty good. I always practice questions before and never feel too nervous. My mom's friend said that someone may be giving me a bad reference. I have no idea why someone would do that but you never know why people act the way they do. Is there a way to figure out if someone is giving me a bad reference? Should I have someone call and pretend to be looking for a reference?

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Thanks everyone! I just needed to vent and I'm sure my family is sick about it. I have a lot of things to feel fortunate about. I have a wonderful family that is very supportive during this difficult time. Things could be a lot worse! I will renew my license and keep trying! I really enjoyed working as a student nurse. Hopefully there is a job out there for me. I think my interview skills are pretty good. I always practice questions before and never feel too nervous. My mom's friend said that someone may be giving me a bad reference. I have no idea why someone would do that but you never know why people act the way they do. Is there a way to figure out if someone is giving me a bad reference? Should I have someone call and pretend to be looking for a reference?

Have you been looking out of state for a nurse residency programs or have you been looking into nursing homes..From your posts it sounds like you are single with no children so I would suggest for you to think about relocation.Other states offer some really excellent new grad programs and sometimes they offer to train you for a yer or two..Make sure you get into a supportive,nurse friendly orientation..I know it is hard to make a decision to move,but that is what I had to do in order to be able to work somewhere...You can always visit your friends and come back after a year of experience...

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I am so sorry to hear you haivng such a hard time finding a RN's job, it is very discouraging and even despressing. If you haven't shaped up your resume' by someone professional, try that. ( college usually offer free service for that). Anytime, you get an interview, send thank you note, call them see if they need more refereances etc... Try hospital, health center, doctor office, nursing home, rehab. facility even agency. You have to start somewhere to gain the experience.

I graduated last August obtained my license-PN in Nov. In Feb, i was hired by a very busy rehab. facility where 20 miles from home. I must say it was tough to find a job very tough esp. being a new grad. I went in person to put in application form one facility to another, i usually went 3-5 places in one day for 3 months. Snow storm didn't stop me from one day.

Best luck! I was there and feel for you.

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.
Have you been looking out of state for a nurse residency programs or have you been looking into nursing homes..From your posts it sounds like you are single with no children so I would suggest for you to think about relocation.Other states offer some really excellent new grad programs and sometimes they offer to train you for a yer or two..Make sure you get into a supportive,nurse friendly orientation..I know it is hard to make a decision to move,but that is what I had to do in order to be able to work somewhere...You can always visit your friends and come back after a year of experience...

Actually I am married with two children. If I could move out of state I would in a second. I have tried nursing homes but they are mainly looking for LPNs or CNAs. I have been thinking about maybe moving away for a year to get experience but I don't know how that would affect my family. I feel like my kids didn't get to see me enough during nursing school....not seeing them for so long would be too difficult for all of us. Thanks for everyone's suggestions! I will keep looking and just enjoy this time with my family right now. I really need to look for a non-nursing job right now. I work very part time at a department store but the little bit I get paid there doesn't really help. Good luck to all the people who are in the same situation that I am in right now!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I graduated in Dec 09, passed the NCLEX in March. I'll start my first rn job in May. I did not go to HR with my application, i went directly to the Nursing department and was lucky enough to get hired.

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