I just feel like giving up...

[Lilstinka2]

Hello everyone,

I live in new York and in a life not to long ago I was in the united states marine corps and served honorably with two tours in Iraq during operation Iraqi freedom 1, 2,and 3. Since then I decided that wasn't the life for me and choose to become a nurse instead. I graduated with my LPN license at the top of my class in December of 2011. And since then have yet to to find a job. I have had little temp jobs such as home care, some clinics, but nothing concrete. I am a member of a dozen agencies oneof them being 1199. I must have filled out what seems like a thousand applications both online and in person. I've been in too many interviews to even count. I have even tried applying to VA (veterans Assistance) hospitals and clinics and even they won't hire me. And i'm a veteran! They are claiming that they want someone with more experience . In fact they are always claiming that they want experience. But how does one get experience without a job, or a job without experience? I used to go to interviews hoping and praying that I get the job. I have been rejected so many times that now I just go to interviews not expecting anything. I am beyond discouraged. I think I was even clinically depressed about it. Like everyone I have bills, and loans, and more bills that I can't pay. I truly feel like all the hard work and studying I put into school was for nothing. My school is opening a LPN to RN bridge program and I am attending simply because I don't have anything else to do. I must be crazy our something to attend simply because I know that when school is over I will be in the same position. With even more debt and even less experience. I don't know what to do...I feel as though I am lost in life and that i'm not making good decisions. Everyone keeps telling me that I shouldn't give up...to keep on pushing or that nurses are in need. Well if nurses are in need it certainly doesn't feel that way. its been an entire year and I done feel like things will get better. I don't want to sound as if i'm whining however it is how I feel. I wonder if anyone is going through what I going through...

[GoalSeeker, BSN, RN]

Wow I feel like I wrote this. I was active duty Air Force. You would think with all these programs they have available for veterans it would have been easy to transition however if you are not in house or know someone its hard to get something but i'm hopeful i'm even fasting for a full time job. Don't give up i'm in NY too ....if you need to talk you can send me a pm...it always helps to have a battle buddy:-)