Can't Keep Looking at the Bright Side (I just want to cry)

[mountainaireNP]

I'm not trying to be melodramatic, but I have been out of NP school 2 years and can't find a job to save my life. I've been working the same crummy floor nurse position I was working when I was going through school. I finally just went out recently and took a job as a hospice RN just to take myself out of the degrading environment of that facility where I was taking orders and yes ma'am-ing people with a fraction of my education. If you watched Breaking Bad picture Walter White on his hands and knees scrubbing tires at the carwash while his students walked by snickering...anyway, it doesn't help when I hear about new grad NPs TURNING DOWN jobs while I never even get a call back or past the first interview. Usually any responses I get are to tell me I don't have the required experience and to contact them after I've acquired it. If I said I was discouraged it would be a lie: I'm absolutely devastated to the point I've been doing reckless, self-destructive things because I feel so hopeless.

Here in Music City I have a friend who is a single mother who recently became homeless and was taken in by a shelter that is helping put her in a four bedroom house and paying her way to get her RN AND NP license, being funded by two very famous country singers. I try to sound happy for her but inside I'm thinking about the 50k in student loans past due, my house that is falling down...

I was going to start a business but since my husband is horrified of adding on more debt in contracts and leases and start up expenses, that idea has pretty much been snuffed out. When you don't have partner/spousal support you may as well forget it. I would not be above just relocating but my long distance job searches have gone about as far as my local ones.

I don't know, is more school the answer? My degree is Adult NP, seems like family is required/preferred, even when there will be no children seen. It seems like everything I touch turns to garbage. I don't want to get in more debt for something that won't do me any good. Maybe I'm just so hideous I'm unhireable as a NP??? I hate being stagnant but I don't know what, if anything I can do. I feel like such a spectacle. A big, lumpy, stupid, middle aged old broad. a dozen degrees probably wouldn't help me. Yea, kind of a pity party, but that's about the only one I can participate in right now.

Thanks for listening.

[harmonizer]

Sorry to hear about your situation. It is not your false. You are just a victim of the surplus of NPs and excess production of NP grads nationwide. For now, if you can travel / relocate at all, I would recommend even "short-term" relocation / locums / travel work to get experiences. There are some locums job in some undesirable areas of countries eg. NM, AZ, IA. You have to be away from home but it will give you experience so that you will be more marketable. Or.. How many class would it take bridging into FNP cert esp. at cheap state school? If I were you, I would consider looking into it..

[TammyG]

I am so sorry you are having a hard time right now. You just have to keep trying and applying for every job you can. Do as much pro bono work as you can afford to do, lots of opportunities for NP work there.

I have to agree with the posters that said you need to get your depression and mental health under control first and foremost, in order for you to present yourself well to an employer and also to make sure you are making good decisions.

I do not believe there is a glut or oversupply of NPs in this country, at least not on the east coast. There are many good jobs out there for you.

[RNRao]

Please HANG IN THERE! I just got a job after graduating 1.5 yrs ago after becoming an NP. Where is your location? We moved to the Midwest and it is extremely difficult here to find a job. On the Eastcoast, more demand. What about your network professionally, anyone know of ANYONE? It can get depressing I know....have you redone your CV?

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Blue devil nailed it. Get your depression attended to so that you can have the energy to job hunt and the ability to present yourself as a good candidate. I am sure that your depression is probably coloring your interactions and decreasing the chances of obtaining that job.

[KellyFNP]

I live in Nashville and know firsthand how hard it is to be a new grad here. There are so many schools here churning out NPs that the competition for the few new grad jobs is fierce. I am a new grad working in a rural clinic outside of Nashville. The pay is extremely low and I have no benefits, but I took the job to start getting FNP experience on my resume. Have you tried the Shiloam Center? They let you volunteer there which would at least get some experience on your resume. Another option is the Salvus Center in Gallatin. You may be able to do the same thing there. The GOOD news is that you do HAVE a job. AND...you have RN skills that allow you to conintue to be employed. Stay strong and know that when the right opportunity for you is available, it will open up for you. Hugs to you.

[mountainaireNP]

Ugh Kooky Korkie I don't think I'm *better* than anyone else. My bro in law is a self made millionaire and never finished school. I'll just say if you knew the situation I was in you'd know exactly why I said that and how it was not arrogant at all.

Yes, I'm depressed, but it was funny, getting a phone call to come in for a job interview did wonders for the depression. And I'm being eval and treated, BTW.

Still no job, I will definitely try the pro bono thing though. Thanks!

[Gentleman_nurse, MSN]

Don't take the entrepreneur route off the table just yet. How far have looked into it? Are you just thinking about it or did you write business plan? You might be interested to know there are grants, funding, and training available for people who want to start their own business. Check out the Small Business Administration. Just putting in the effort of writing a business plan will give you insight on where to take your career.

[Barinbass]

Hugs from me too. I came to the site today to post how much trouble i was having finding a job and found this thread. I knew there was a thread like this and am glad I am not alone. I am also an AGNP out for only three months now and that new grad job is hard to get especially if not an FNP. I am older than mot for sure but have done what i can to not look my age. I am not wiling to work as an RN for a year etc since I have so many years and didn't pay as much as I have to not be able to use my degree. Moving to a small rural area is not what I want, but it seems as it may be necessary to take whatever. I hate to think my education is not worth more. I keep hoping that the new healthcare law will cause a greater need in primary care. I would not mind moving to a city but drive to the smaller towns and have looked at that. I'd like to do some primary care but most of the jobs are for experienced specialties and a lot of hospitalist positions. Sorry if I sound angry, but I got the rejection today for two positions I interviewed for. They both were for the same place and the same person interviewed me. I know I did well in the interviews but I have no experience. ANP was not the best track to do, but it fit me. Loans are due next month. In a funk!!! Thanks

[Barinbass]

Have you checked with the VA? There is a dept that is ore specific to the older population. Each location seems to be specific to a different area of interest or specialty. There is one in Tennessee that may be worth checking into for sure. I wrote to those in my location, but their area of focus here is not my area of interest. Mine is in another state. Check with the VA as they do just about require your to be a hospitalist too, but your recent hospital training may fit will with that. They want experience though, so maybe this Center called the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers (GRECCs) will be a good place to start. They pay well from what I understand. Hope this helps. I wish my area of interest was in my state! Contact the ones mentioned on the GRECC page. They will be able to pull whatever strings to get you in or can direct you. Start with them. It's their Center. Good luck.

Tennessee Valley GRECC - Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers

[Barinbass]

Oops Reposted.

[TraumaRN21]

This was my concern as well. Take care of yourself. As nurses we give so much and care so little for ourselves. I would broaden where I was looking. Consider relocating, some areas there are a gluten of certain specialties and finding a job is harder. Then take a lower paying job to get experience. And in all honesty it seems that the doctors prefer to hire the young blonde NP's. Speaking as a ICU RN, that's who I see working with the docs. Don't take it personally, men will be men. The smart old broads get work too, just keep chipping away.