Job Search Blues and Questions

Specialties NP

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I have been looking for 7 months for an NP job (certified as Adult) in the Boston area and I am getting frustrated, feeling down on myself, and at times demotivated.

I haven't seriously considered relocating but realize that I need to do that. I don't have a lot of funds to travel and apply for other state licenses especially if its horrible market in other states. I guess my questions are 1)Am I alone in this plight. 2) Where are the jobs?? 3) Has anyone been able to relocate without spending a fortune? Thanks for any advice!!

Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

It's definitely a sign of the times. Jobs are not as easy to come by. Would moving be an option for you? I say this because you would have better luck if you live in an area with a high concentration of children's hospitals and services. Pediatric care is becoming less and less lucrative for many hospitals as it can be very expensive to offer and requires a high level of specialization. Peds Units and PICU's are becoming less common in general acute care hospitals, and if they even exist in those places, the services are scaled down. Children's hospitals are the way to go if you want more choices for employment opportunities.

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I currently work at a Children's Hospital. Moving is not a problem for me and I have applied to NP jobs out of state. My biggest challenge right now, of course, is getting any type of job, other than the one I have right now. I know I am very blessed at this time to be employed at all and am not going to give up my current position without another one in hand. That being said, I feel like I am stuck where I am, and don't really know how to change that. I have really started to question whether I will ever be able to get an Acute Care PNP job, even if the economy was better. I have figured out that having critical care experience would be really beneficial to someone with my degree, but trying to convince someone to hire you when all they are concerned about is you leaving when you get an NP job is my current challenge.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

That's too bad. I live in a metro area where there are 3 children's hospitals within 40 miles of each other and a fourth one within 65 miles. With that said, I am not a Peds ACNP so I am unfamilar with the job climate in Peds. But just to put things in perspective, we have nurses trained as NP's working at the bedside even in our adult ICU's. We have a team of 12 Adult ACNP's working in critical care and just recently when we had an opening, we went through a long list of resumes from nurses many of whom were well-qualified to be hired for the role.

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Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.

Does your current employer utilize ACPNPs? Do you feel that they are keeping you from obtaining critical care experience because they don't want you to leave? It wouldn't be the first time management has blocked an employee's transfer or promotion to protect their bottom line.

I've seen numerous posting for ACPNPs for Duke's Children's Hospital. I hate to say this, but maybe you shouldn't divulge that you are a ACPNP graduate until you have the job. Recently, one of my classmates was denied a job in critical care as soon as she revealed her enrollment in a NP program. My current enrollment as an ACNP student is not on my resume. It is sad that many nursing departments do not value nurses who chose to advance their education and careers.

I agree with Juan's suggestions. I would seek employment in a area that has a strong pediatric hospital presence. For instance, there are 4 children's hospitals in the Chicago area that I am aware of. Also, try looking on a hospital's internal job search sites. A lot of those jobs do not show up on job search sites like careerbuilder.com and indeed.com. Obtain as many certifications as you can (ie PALS, TNCC, CCRN, etc) in the meantime. Attend a boot camp for ACPNPs or NTI. Many positions are filled by word of mouth. Ask your professors and clinical preceptors to keep you in mind if they hear of any positions.

I can only imagine how difficult this situation is for you. I know that you've worked so hard to reach your goal. Please remember that you're almost there. Please don't give up, your dream job could be just around the corner.

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Can you please give your location in Florida?

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