Why don't I have a job right now?

[PeepnBiscuitsRN]

I know I'm in the same boat as many new grad RN's so I don't want to make it seem like I'm so great and all. I just graduated with my ADN, I come with 4.5 years of LPN experience in a clinic setting, with a strong focus in peds- I looked back over my resume, and tweaked it up a little- but the problem seems to be this: when I first got my LPN, sure, everything was online and I had to apply online...but I could still take my resume to an actual person to follow up, or I could actually call and talk to someone to follow up and tell them about my experience (which at that point was zilch!)

Now, it's all online, when I try to follow up, I get put through to a different voicemail each time, from different recruiters, whom I'm told aren't even nurses, they don't call me back- ever- when I've tried to go to HR offices to even just hand off my resume in person, I don't even get past the front desk.

This is getting really agitating- oh and the "kiss off" form e-mails are just great, they make it look like they really looked at your resume and all... ha. I know most of the jobs I'm seeing out there call for experienced RN's, but I'll echo the same song that we've all been singing and that is "how do we get the experience if you don't hire us?!" I'm seeing this even for nursing homes, home health etc... and for clinics, for petesake! I worked in a clinic for 4.5 years right next to (literally) RN's and interacted with them on a daily basis! How do I convey that to whomever is looking at my resume? I mean I put it in there, but if they stop reading at "new grad RN..." then I fear they assume I know nada.

And to make things even more fun... I'm 15 weeks pregnant. I'm at that point where I can't really hide it much longer. I know that's not going to help me in my search. (Of course I'd rather be a mommy again than be employed anyday... you know what I mean...)

Just frustrated.

[casi, ASN, RN]

So I finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I was called today and offered a position in TCU.

So there are new grad jobs out there.

I've also heard rumors that HCMC is hiring new grads.

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

If it is any consolation my friend told me her daughter who graduated not long ago as a teacher finally got a job but she has to relocate. It is not just nurses.

[pat8585]

just want to say to everyone HANG IN THERE!

Don't get too discouraged.

Also, throwing this out.....Haiti needs nurses now. Volunteer nurses. Experience could change

your life!

[Daisy117]

I am right there with you. I passed my boards last August and have yet to find a job. I have applied for hundreds of jobs since last August and have not even got an interview yet. I also had my resume completely revamped in March and still have heard nothing. What I have heard is that a majority of the local hospitals have eliminated their new grad training programs due to budget constraints. So here we are turning out hundreds of thousands of new nursing grads each year and the facilities here are not willing to take the time to train them. I know a lot of the folks that I graduated with in May 2009 actually had to move to southern states to find work. I unfortunately am not able to do that because my husband is a state employee.

I am 21 weeks pregnant and my chances of finding a job before I have the baby are going to be even more challenging. I feel all of your frustrations. So the next concern is what is going to happen when all of the nurses who are on the verge of retirement retire and they have not taken the time to train the new grads who are out there. This will lead to no crossover training and a gap between the new grads that they eventually hire and those who remain on the floor. The patients will suffer.

[noc4senuf]

It is the economy. the news keeps stating that there is a shortage, when it is actually saturated right now. About 3 years ago, I was posting open positions on careerbuilder and couldn't find nurses.... now i get 2-3 calls and multiple applications a week. I don't have a single position open and my voice mail states so. But, the schools keep cranking out the grads. I feel sorry for anyone looking for a position at this time.

[Pbelle]

I have taken the past two years off from nursing to nurture and help my two teenage daughters negotiate through high school. The oldest will graduate in June, and I've been looking to return to nursing here in the Twin Cities area, and despite numerous applications, cannot even get an interview.

Last summer/autumn I had two interviews for a nursing supervisor position, and during my second interview, one individual asked why I chose to leave my last position, where I had worked for 22 months - "You look like a job hopper, to me" were his exact words. When I explained my decision, he appeared to not believe me.

I'm beginning to think that perhaps I should return to my previous profession of sales/marketing, which I did for 20 years prior to earning my ADN and working in telemetry and then insurance nursing services. Are there really that many unemployed RNs in the Twin Cities who are vying for the same positions?

Thanks for hearing me out!

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

Taking time off used to be normal with kids, but now it is difficult to get back in as you are seeing. Many people stay on as casual just to keep a foot in the door.

I would hardly call 22 months job-hopping but I don't know your other background. It is normal to have many jobs over a work lifetime now. Nurses are typically job-hoppers for many reasons including family, boredom, and lack of opportunities. I would keep trying.

I am very slowly seeing more jobs in my area crop up just since the first of the year, so I am hoping it is a good sign. Lots of competition out there for every job though! If you have marketing skills sometimes for-profit home health and other facilities hire nurse marketing reps. Just a thought because that is the last job I and many others would ever want.

[Susy Q]

Hello shshipp. Are you still working at Hendrick? I am moving to Abilene and interested in working at Hendrick. Looking for contact with people who work there. Thanks.

[Pbelle]

Still looking. I'm done with nursing.

[MollyG]

Hang in there- you will get a job! Keep your chin up and be open to different hospitals/areas/opportunities.....(have you looked outside the cities at more rural areas?)....you're doing everything right- just a hard market right now...