So fed up

[miNmyBay]

I have been a nurse since 2011. I recently found a job working in a SNF. I got into nursing because I wanted to be a perinatal nurse. I've applied to so many jobs (over 300). I'm even applying to med surg and anything that will give me acute care experience. So far I had 2 interviews and were turned down. I thought I did pretty good too. I know I am a very good nurse but I don't understand why people can't see that! I completed a new grad program about 2 years ago in the postpartum unit. Everyone from my class got hired except me (we were all in different units). I even had the support of almost all the nurses on the floor see the manager to try to get me in but she didn't want to hire me. She ended up hiring someone from out of state. So many patients had told me that I was really good to them and that I was an excellent nurse. So what I don't understand is why won't anyone give me a chance to let me work? I am just so frustrated. Don't get me wrong. I love my job now but it's just not what I picture myself doing. The facility is also located at a very rough neighborhood ( I've had a couple coworkers robbed at gun point and another who was badly beaten). I have to commute about an hour to get here. I have two very young kids so I have no choice to work. At the hospital they told me to move out of state to gain experience but how can I?? My family helps with my kids. I don't know. Sorry to vent but I'm just soooo frustrated and sad. There was a shooting and someone died right by the facility the other day and I've been thinking is it worth it? I had an interview the other day and was rejected.

[nurse4ever08]

A lot is your why not me attitude. Be positive in an interview. Don't use if statements.

[Shao]

Maybe medical field do not want nurses to be nice but to be professional?

[firstinfamily, RN]

Have you tried any out patient type services, such as a Pediatric Office? That way you are getting pediatric experience. The SNF will only bring you down. I have found very few SNF that help nurses maintain a professional outlook. Were your grades low in school? I truly do not understand why others in your class might have been hired and you were not. Was there something that happened during your clinical experience that reflected badly? Perhaps some comments you made? I would not feel safe in the environment you are working, your two children need you, I would try to find another place to be employed if possible. LTC skills will not help you get into an acute facility.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

There are many, many nurses who can not find employment, period. I would go back to the unit where you completed the new grad program, reach out to them, and ask if they are hiring at this point, if you could apply, and if you can not obtain employment there, honestly what you need to complete to do so. Per diem is also a valid option, even on that hospital's med/surg floor. Also, see if there's a job counselor in your area (even at the college you attended) who can look at and brush up your resume, and practice interview skills. It doesn't matter how "good" of a nurse one is, managers have all sorts of reasons for hiring and not hiring....I would just keep trying but see a professional to help you first.

[caliotter3]

You sound very concerned about personal safety. I would make a concerted effort to find work closer to your home even if not what you want so that you can have more peace of mind, especially around your children. Look into extended care home health. They are usually willing to hire someone with SNF experience. Yes, it is not your dream job, but you should be able to find something near your home that would be an improvement over your present circumstances. This would give you a chance to regroup. Best wishes.

[heartsgal, ADN, RN]

I graduated May 2013 and probably 50% of my class have not found hospital positions, or do not work as nurses period, because it is a tough market out there. Even when you do interview well, are professional and articulate, if you dont have the experience whoever is interviewing you needs they have to look at someone who does. I was rejected many times when I knew I interviewed well and was confident and finally got a SNF job also 6.momtjs after graduating. I loved the nurses there, but hated the facility because it was a very heavy workload and very stressful environment with terrible management. I stuck it our for 5 1/2 months and then finally got hired at a smaller hospital (340 beds) in an acute care rehab unit. It's not without its issues either, but it's a way better than the SNF and we float to med-surg, so I've learned so much more then I did before. Do like I did, give your self permission to feel like crap when you get rejected. It's normal to feel down after a rejection, especially if it's for job you really wanted. It would take me a week or longer each time after the rejection to put my big girl panties on and move past it. You feel demoralized and just plain beat down every time afterwards. The lucky ones thst get jobs right away or quickly will never understand how it feels to interview time after time and how gut wrenching of an emotional roller-coaster it is, but those of us that have lived it do. So hang there, it will happen, just don't stop applying and if possible find another SNF to work at that is safer. Good luck to you and please update us in the future. ?

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

On a positive note I've recently seen 2 Labor and Delivery positions open for non-experienced RNs, in 2 different hospitals. I'm also seeing nurses switching jobs much more often lately. These are hopefully signs that the healthcare economy is improving.