by wonderwomanchels

Hi all! I've been on this site for a while now, but haven't posted much. however, i feel like it'll just make me (and hopefully a few others) feel a bit better about this whole job situation if we vent it out together. i just need to complain, and i need people who understand how frustrated and hopeless i'm feeling.

i graduated from a somewhat prestigious university over a year ago, and passed my nclex without a bead of sweat. great grades, great clinical experience, killer references and resume....still can't get a job. i live in the northeast, where things are tight...but still. i work at the grocery store...THE GROCERY STORE! i paid $100,000 to get a degree so that people can supervise how i bag their eggs and talk to me like i'm stupid. i have nothing against my current job - they're great to me and it pays my bills kinda sorta for now - but it's so damn frustrating!

on top of all of this, i'm getting so sick of people constantly saying to me "but i thought we needed nurses!"...when is oprah gonna do a show about all of us who are graduating and finding a completely closed off job market? and now that a second year of nurses are finishing up, us 2008 grads are getting more and more lost.

it's not like i'm not trying - i apply to jobs nearly non stop. i call and ask for nurse managers and recruiters personally, who never answer their phones or my voicemails. i feel like a complete and total failure pretty much all of the time, and don't know what to do. i have at least 15 friends in the same boat, but none of them currently live nearby and i don't have anyone to talk to about these feelings. i cry a lot when i'm alone, but put on a big smile and just tell people i'm staying optimistic and i'm still looking etc. etc.

anyway - if you wanna chime in, please do. i know our families and friends are probably getting sick of listening to us talk about this stuff, so it feels better to talk to strangers who understand.

much love and keep the faith, my friends. we're gonna rise above this someday.

Re: STILL don't have a job?? Vent here!

Hi there,
I'm so sorry you're having this difficulty, I can't imagine how frustrating it is! I just wanted to ask if relocation is at all a possibility for you? I am in the northeast and know how tight the market is here. I know some former classmates who were only able to find jobs by moving our of this region. It seems like the northeast is especially bad right now and that there are still jobs in *some* parts of the country. I hope things get better for you soon!

Re: STILL don't have a job?? Vent here!

Hi:

If it is possible relocate. I live in South Florida and I know, from looking in the paper and even at the facility I work at, RN's are in demand. Please don't give up on your dream. Do some research, find areas where your knowledge and skills will be valued. I know you probably wont make good RN money at first, but it HAS to beat working at the grocery store.
Keep looking and good luck to you.

Roxann

Re: STILL don't have a job?? Vent here!

Originally Posted by florianslove

Hi:

If it is possible relocate. I live in South Florida and I know, from looking in the paper and even at the facility I work at, RN's are in demand. Please don't give up on your dream. Do some research, find areas where your knowledge and skills will be valued. I know you probably wont make good RN money at first, but it HAS to beat working at the grocery store.
Keep looking and good luck to you.

Roxann

hi there! thanks for the words of encouragement...i'm planning to relocate if at all possible (to get outta here for starters, and because it seems i'm gonna have to if i'm going to get a job)...

florida is one place i haven't really looked yet, but i certainly will give it a look! trust me, i've been doing plenty of research - i haven't given up yet, and i'm certain that someday i'm going to be somewhat rewarded for all of this frustration and stress.

Re: STILL don't have a job?? Vent here!

Hi there...I'll vent too...
I'm cleaning houses right now for money. I've interviewed for other various retail jobs outside the field but cannot bring myself to lie about staying there when I know that what I really want is to work in a hospital. I apply and check sites every single day for jobs. I have had friends call their friends...submit my resume, etc...just to hear the usual thing. I would love to relocate. I'm up for an adventure. I don't have the money to move my stuff across country. Or fly for an interview. I owe tremendous school loans on top of the debt that I put off (only paying the minimum payment) for 'when I make some decent money after i graduate.' I just had my wisdom teeth removed due to a terribly infected impacted tooth that was causing me to lie awake at night in agony. No dental insurance, just paid out of pocket. (wiped out my savings). Had a terrible recovery that included having to call the dr on call in the middle of the night for a prescription for zofran.
I don't tell people I am a nurse right now, because I don't feel like one; and I am tired of people looking at me like it's my fault, or that I did something wrong, or that I'm not as qualified as other people who got those scarce new grad jobs.
On the bright side:
All I can do right now is take each day as it comes. I am thankful for the little things now, I don't waste anything (no more spoiled produce because I use everything I buy), I go to parks and other places for cheap/free entertainment, and I smile at how God chooses to challenge us to make us into better people.

Re: STILL don't have a job?? Vent here!

Originally Posted by happygrad2009

I don't tell people I am a nurse right now, because I don't feel like one; and I am tired of people looking at me like it's my fault, or that I did something wrong, or that I'm not as qualified as other people who got those scarce new grad jobs.

my dad always hugs me and says "and how's my favorite little nurse doing today?" when he sees me, and a few days ago i finally told him to stop calling me that, because it bothers me so much. he said "i won't stop. i don't care if it bugs you. i'm still proud of you."

i hear you on the no insurance thing. i've been uninsured for about 6 months now, and it's pretty scary.

and on the relocating...i used my tax return to fly to california to interview for 3 jobs, and none of them hired me. it's insanely frustrating and i feel like it isn't ever going to end. i'm starting to think about looking for a change in career, because i put off a bunch of bills etc. for "when i have money after i graduate" too and it just isn't working for me at the grocery store right now...

you have a friend out here in the world!

Re: STILL don't have a job?? Vent here!

Originally Posted by wonderwomanchels

hi there! thanks for the words of encouragement...i'm planning to relocate if at all possible (to get outta here for starters, and because it seems i'm gonna have to if i'm going to get a job)...

florida is one place i haven't really looked yet, but i certainly will give it a look! trust me, i've been doing plenty of research - i haven't given up yet, and i'm certain that someday i'm going to be somewhat rewarded for all of this frustration and stress.

All you can do is keep applying. Expand your job search to other areas if you're open to relocation.

I know how you feel about being down in the dumps when your applications are ignored, and you spend your own money traveling to interviews (for jobs you don't get without so much as a "thanks for wasting your money on us" email or card).

Keep plugging along, and you WILL get lucky.

Look at revising your resume & cover letter if possible to make yourself look even more attractive. Network with your former profs/clinical instructors/classmates to see if anyone has any job leads.

It took me over 3 months of solid looking, and I still ended up having to relocate out of state.

Best of luck!

Re: STILL don't have a job?? Vent here!

I will vent also... I graduated dec of last year and passed my RN boards but still no job here in Southearn California for new RN grads! I applied to more than 10 hospitals within my area. So far, I had only 2 personal interviews. The 1st one told me that they will keep my file on records but I might have to wait because they are on hiring freeze due to the bad economy. The 2nd was an on the spot telephone interview in which I have a lot of high hopes for because he said he will let me know within the next couple of weeks (still crossing my fingers!). Most of the hospitals I applied for never returned my phone calls when I leave a message. I called every week but no one responded. I even dressed so nice for a walk-in interview at this one hospital just to hear the nurse recruiter telling the front desk lady that she is not doing interviews to New RN grads, except to RN's with experiences only (despite the fact on their website, there is a walk-in interview posted). It would have been different probably if I have at least 1 to 2 years of RN experience. This is just becoming ridiculous. I've been from one hospital to another to find out they don't want newly RN grads. For now, I gave up driving from one hospital to another because I waste my time, money, and gas. Instead, I just kept on applying online and wait to hear something from them. I'm considering for a relocation soon. Goodluck to all of us newly RN grads and the next future of graduating RN's. Hopefully we all get a job soon.

Re: STILL don't have a job?? Vent here!

Chicago is no better. I am at my wits end applying to nearly every hospital in a 60 miles radius of Chicago. Sent about 60 applications, recommendation letters, transcripts, not a single interview!!! I too graduated in May, BSN with honors from a top nursing school, passed NCLEX with 75 questions, have nurse intern, tech and a ton of volunteering experience. Its even worse when I hear about so many of my classmates getting jobs at the places that denied me . I don't know what to do, but I am considering waitressing or bartending so I can make a little money...;(

Re: STILL don't have a job?? Vent here!

Keep your mind open for relocation. I live in El Paso and graduated in May, as far as I know every student who applied for a job, got one. Our hospitals here are hiring GN's and starting us in the orientation program before we pass the Nclex. They are willing to invest (or risk) in us because that's how much they need nurses. El Paso is in a unique geographical area, there's not other major cities around us to draw from. Starting hospital pay for brand new right out of school nurses is $23-24/hour. The hospitals are also offering signing bonuses that are $4-5K. Something to consider.