Pigeon holed?

[what2donow]

I know this is probably the last thing anyone wants to hear- another nurse complaining about being unable to find a job- but that's what I'm doin'. I feel so, so bad for all of the new grads out there; I can't imagine the frustration and anxiety that would come from applying and applying to no avail, while not having a job and with the student loans looming. So don't hate me when I tell you that I do have a job, but I want a different one!!! I have applied to so many different positions in different hospitals, clinics, etc. over the last year and I have not been called for ONE interview. I am starting to really feel hopeless and my ego is deflated. The thing is, I have 6 years of nursing experience in ICU and ICU step-down, charge nurse and precepting experience, my BSN and really good academic marks (if I do say so myself). AND NOT ONE CALL? I know things are bad out there, but come on! Can I also say that I HATE that every organization takes online applications only nowadays, never with an option to submit a cover letter so that I can actually explain who I am- you can never even speak to a real human being on the other side of this hiring process! I emailed (the only option) HR of a hospital I recently applied to to ask for the name of a person I could address when sending in a cover letter or letter of interest to accompany my sterile online app, but wasn't even given one. Just "we do all of our apps online". Is there anything I can do to make myself stand out??

What I really, really want to do is work in OB. Obviously, my nursing experience is pretty far removed from that. But even those post-partum jobs that will take new grads but prefer a year of med-surg experience want nothing to do with me!

I am trying to talk myself into appreciating my current job and making the best of it (and have been for a year), but I just can't. I want out. Am I pigeon-holed into this area of nursing forever?

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

No.

Persistence, perseverance is the key. Keep going...network, network, network..you never, ever know who you might meet along the way....just think that person standing next to you in a grocery line wearing scrubs might just be the UM of an OB place or the relative of a UM...that is how I've managed to find my different specialties.

Smiling, saying hello...and extending yourself out of your comfort level is the way to go.

If you are an extrovert that is a plus..if not...that's another challenge.

Keep trying.

This is definitely not an instant gratification situation....so HANG IN THERE....It can be done.

[NeoPediRN]

I think you need to make them see how your area relates to OB. Labor gone wrong? No problem, you've handled cardiac arrests, you can handle hemorrhages/DIC. Monitor an incision? You can do that in your sleep. You know the importance of early ambulation, monitoring for signs of dehydration and fluid overload. Watching a strip is actually a lot like watching the tele monitor, only different. You're ACLS certified, a requirement for OB so make sure you list somewhere it'll catch the eye. You could also take NRP and STABLE while waiting, that would boost your chances and they are inexpensive classes. Grab them with these things in that cover letter. Pull things from your ICU experience that relate to OB. Make phone calls directly to nurse managers. That's what I did for every RN job I got. My market is completely saturated and it's dog-eat-dog. If you're not competitive you're not getting a job. You have so many valuable attributes that carry over from ICU experience, it's just a matter of getting someone to hear you. I'd personally call those nurse managers first thing in the morning and bypass HR altogether.

[DogWmn]

I'd also have your resume reviewed by someone in the area your interested in. If you work in a hospital with OB, take sometime and go down and talk with them about working in that area.

Networking works.

I wish you luck!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

join a nursing professional organization then get involved and go to the meetings. You will meet all sorts of people. Talk to OB directors. As for HR, they get so many anxious and angry people anymore they prefer not to get too personal. But not answering email is just plain rude IMHO.

[what2donow]

Thanks so much for your responses. Does anyone have advice as far as what to say when speaking with directors/managers about potential jobs? I feel uncomfortable bypassing HR, as that is the standard process, and I am so not a natural extrovert.