NG jobless for 8 months, is there hope?

barleynhopsBSN · Aug 16, 2010

Sorry to hear you are still looking for a job =( Have you also been applying to SNFs?

violet_violet · Aug 16, 2010

How do I find where they are? At least here in the Sacramento area???

lee1 · Aug 16, 2010

Not much you can do unless all those nurses who are here on temporary visas go home. I don't think we need to import any nurses anymore, we are saturated

rn4lyfe08 · Aug 16, 2010

My advice to you as someone who spent 8 months to find my first job.

1) Take the NCLEX ASAP and get your license. You're more marketable that way. (They don't have to worry about you not passing). & you'll be able to endorse to other states.

2) Search far and wide. You may have to look far outside your immediate area.

3) Be prepared to travel to another state. You may even find that you can be hired into your desired specialty in another state.

This is exactly what I've had to do. Not exactly ideal, but it will get you the experience you need.

st4rl4dy · Aug 16, 2010

I am about two months into the NG/ job status thing here in so cal, i am trying to prepare myself for the long haul. What have you been doing while waiting to find a job? other jobs? school?

StarryEyed, RN · Aug 17, 2010

I'm in the same boat as you. However last week things turn a turn. I was accepted to a RN Internship/Volunteer program, I got hired with Mollen Immunization Clinics to give flu shots, and interviewed for a was hired as a nurse on blood mobiles. It's not a FT position, not even part-time but I'll get shifts with good pay AND have things to add to my resume showing that I'm currently working/doing things w/my life (haha) other than just applying, applying, applying -- which i'm still doing. All of them know that I'm obviously still looking for that Full-Time hospital RN position. The flu clinics is a seasonal job. I could potentially be hired right after finishing the volunteer RN thing (or plucked out and hired before its even done), and the blood mobile is a job I would love to keep in addition to a full time job.

I also got my PHN, PALS, and ACLS certifications in the spring/summer, so i've been trying to stay busy. I feel though that with the bloodmobile hiring it gave me a little burst of confidence/hope. Apply to jobs that may not necessarily be in the hospital. In the end, I think showing that we're doing something w/out time is also important.

Lizzie21 · Aug 17, 2010

I would suggest definitely applying to flu clinics in your area. That way you gain some experience as an RN. I also applied to that Mollen Clinics in my area and I'm hoping I get an interview with them.

Just keep your head up. Look everywhere you can. Look into blood drives or small clinics in your area. Maybe even vaccination clinics (where people need vaccines when they travel out of the country).

Just keep trying! We are all here to support you!

Mr G · Aug 17, 2010

I am amazed that it is that hard to find a Nursing job. I am currently in Rn clinicals. ever since I finished LPN school my plan was to go to Rn school then look for a contract in CA. But there seem to be alot of nurses saying that there are no jobs in CA? I may have to change my plans.

Jessthenurse · Aug 17, 2010

I just graduated from a BSN program two weeks ago. I was lucky enough to land a job in a nurse residency program for new graduates, so I will be working on the unit I completed my Capstone Clinical at!! It was nerve wracking, I had to quick take NCLEX to get my license in time and I was terrified at not passing and losing this job opportunity. However, I passed and OSBN worked really quickly and processed my license application practically overnight!!!

I think it is a lot about luck. The hospital I work for opened the residency program this year after suspending it for two years due to budget issues. There are not many openings for new grads in Portland, OR where I am. I think that you have to be very vigilant, follow up with your contacts, get any certs done that you can, especially PALS and ACLS, and volunteer somewhere that is close to the area of interest you have. It also helps to have people go to bat for you. I lucked out in terms of getting an amazing preceptor for my Capstone, he made sure to broadcast how much he liked me and how good a job I was doing to the Nurse Manager on the unit. Additionally, he made sure I had a letter of recommendation from him. I also kept in touch with other nurses I worked with during my clinicals and asked them to be references for me. Even with all of that sometimes it is just the luck of the draw. However, things are getting better. When I was looking around before getting this job I noticed that quite a few hospitals were starting residency programs. The catch was that many of them were in other states.

So good luck!!! The job that you are meant to have will happen!!!!

Lizzie21 · Aug 17, 2010

Have you tried to contact some of your old clinical instructors to see if there is anything available? I would suggest that as well.

chloecatrn · Aug 17, 2010

I'd highly recommend ACLS, PALS, EKG certification, anything you can get like that to make you more marketable. It might also be time to think about moving. Think about LTACHs, LTCs, rehab centers, community health clinics, doctor's offices, anywhere that a nurse might work. You may have to think outside the box just a little to get your foot in the door. It's certainly not just CA, and it's definitely not just you. If you're open to moving, start circulating your resume to other states. Good luck.