Really freaking out

U.S.A. Massachusetts

Published

I canNOT find a job. It's now to the point where I can't even get HR to talk to me or nurse managers to return my phone calls. Some HRs wont even let me talk to nurse recruitment. An HR rep from Lahey Clinic asked me what type of nurse I am and I told her new grad and she said not to bother, that neither Lahey campus is hiring new grads and won't be until next year. I have tried every acute hospital within a 2 hour driving distance in MA and several subacute/rehab/SNF facilities and none of them are hiring new grads or don't have the support in place to train a new grad. I really don't know what to do. My dad is deathly ill and my mom cannot pay pay their bills on just her salary. I really need to work and help out. My health insurance is also up. I'm so frustrated and discouraged.

is this job shortage affecting mostly those with RN degrees?

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

Girl I feel you. I am in AZ, left MA because I only had LTC experience.

Sigh, I am trying to get a job over here, after a travel assignment an I am not having any luck. It is so bad, that I didn't eat for a few days.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.
Perhaps you should re-read my post because I stated some hospitals would not consider non-internal new grad applicants.

I understand your anger and frustration because the hosptial you worked at did not hire you as well as many others in your situation. In my case, I had to find a position on another unit than the one I worked in for the last 2 years. It's not a great feeling, I know.

I still think it is important to get a tech/aide hospital job in order to get your foot in the door but it is enitirely up to YOU to show them how valuable and hard working an employee you are.

If you are calling in sick on beach days, slacking off, gossiping, complaining and not creating or developing good relationships with your co-workers then why would they want to hire you?

Conversely, what can you do to stand out to make it a no brainer for your employer to choose you versus another tech/aide?

All that being said sometimes it's just the luck of the draw if/when you are hired as well as who you know.

Please feel free to re-read my post, and realize that I was simply presenting an alternate viewpoint.

I was in no way, shape, or form attacking or misunderstanding your post. I was simply reminding others that it doesn't always work out that you'd be able to get a job as a nurse in the same place that you were an aide, because positions are so tight in the area. Bringing up the other side of the story never hurts--I have personally observed friends & co-workers that have put all their eggs in one basket expecting to get hired by their employer when they pass their boards, and due to tight budgets & a glut of new nurses, the positions are simply not there and people are left struggling to find a job.

Personally, I'm not upset about not getting a job on my old unit, because I am extremely pleased with the facility I was re-hired at, and am very excited about my current position. If you assumed that my post was out of bitterness over not getting a job there, you're wrong on that.

Of course it is important to get a tech/aide job--the experience is invaluable and in SOME cases it can give you a foot in the door. In all cases, it will allow you to network, get face time, and show people what type of employee you will be. My manager & staff nurses at my previous job told me how much I stood out as a tech--but if the positions aren't there, they aren't there.

I will agree that it's luck of the draw/who you know in most cases.

Frankly I think if you're slacking and calling in sick just because it's nice out---you shouldn't be a nurse, because that slacking may just pose a serious safety issue for your patients.

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.
is this job shortage affecting mostly those with RN degrees?

I don't know.

My friend who just graduated, but hasn't taken her boards yet, said ALL of her classmates obtained jobs after graduation.

As for my class in 2005, some of us had to wait a couple of months.

For me, it is happening I can't find anything but agency or travel. sigh... :no:

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

I still think it is important to get a tech/aide hospital job in order to get your foot in the door but it is enitirely up to YOU to show them how valuable and hard working an employee you are.

If you are calling in sick on beach days, slacking off, gossiping, complaining and not creating or developing good relationships with your co-workers then why would they want to hire you?

I believe this is true to an extent but I also don't know many CNAs/techs who call in sick to go to the beach. I also don't know many that have TIME to gossip and slack off. I'm usually breaking a sweat by 8:30 and spend my shift literally running from room to room to prepare patients for internal and external appointments, get them up according to schedule, assist pt/ot, help with admissions and discharges, and the many other daily tasks of a nursing assistant. I work on a very cohesive unit (which is why there's rarely any turnover) and everyone really helps each other out. I think everyone on this unit is a shining star. I don't think I could do anymore than I have and if I interviewed tomorrow for any position at any hospital I would feel 100% secure with my references and my experiences. I think that speaks for itself.

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.
is this job shortage affecting mostly those with RN degrees?

Yes, although there are many PNs who are not getting into an acute care setting...however, there are many clinical openings for LPNs.

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OB,

Kindred Health Care which has multiple locations is always hiring and a lot of nursing homes will hire new grads. Then after 6months to 1yr you can try for a hospital. Hope this helps!:wink2:

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

Hi Phish, I worked for Kindred and would NEVER work there again, not even if it was the only nursing job on the planet. I've looked into nursing homes and even they seem to be swamped with new grads.

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Specializes in FNP.

October Bride,

I am in the same situation as you. As a matter of fact I worked as a PCA at BWH and never got hired as a RN there. I have applied everywhere in Boston. Finally, I tried Yale New Haven Hosp. in CT and they offered me two jobs. Now it's just a matter of moving. Just a thought for you...

Andrea

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.
October Bride,

I am in the same situation as you. As a matter of fact I worked as a PCA at BWH and never got hired as a RN there. I have applied everywhere in Boston. Finally, I tried Yale New Haven Hosp. in CT and they offered me two jobs. Now it's just a matter of moving. Just a thought for you...

Andrea

Hi Andrea, thanks for posting. What position did you end up going with at Yale? I know two classmates who worked at B&W in really prestigious units as PCAs and didn't get hired. They don't have many openings at all for new grads, not even internally because of the budget cutbacks. I heard that Yale New Haven is hiring like crazy but unfortunately I'm not able to relocate right now because my fiance's job is not transferrable and my father is terminally ill. I want to stay a short driving distance in case something changes dramatically. Eventually I do want to move out of MA but my fiance has been with his job 16 years and holds a good position with very good money. I don't think I could support us on one income in CT with the high taxes and high cost of living. Thank you so much for your advice though. I'm so happy you were able to obtain a position!

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I don't know.

My friend who just graduated, but hasn't taken her boards yet, said ALL of her classmates obtained jobs after graduation.

As for my class in 2005, some of us had to wait a couple of months.

For me, it is happening I can't find anything but agency or travel. sigh... :no:

where did your friend go to school? she must have attended a very good school for there to be 100% employment after graduation in nursing jobs.

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Specializes in FNP.

October Bride-

I haven't accepted either yet... I just don't want to move! My friends and family are all here. So I have a lot of thinking to do. The position I would take was on a transplant floor. The VA in West Roxbury is hiring new grads... I live down the street from it and they have an electronic sign posted out front looking for med/surg nurses. If I drive by it today I will post the number for you. Good luck,

Andrea

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