New Grad RN Pedal Power

Nurses Activism

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Call it too many early days and late nights of endless job searching leading nowhere. After 100+ applications and 9 months post-NCLEX with my RN with no interviews and no offers, I am ready for something different. I think more than a few of us are in this boat. Spring and summer are almost here, so here's my idea: Let's go for a summer bike ride across the U.S. as New Grad RN's! Here's why:

  • We will be much healthier mentally and physically for our efforts and get up off our collective butts that are so sore from all this fruitless job searching.
  • We can bring attention to the problem of hospitals not hiring new grad nurses.
  • We can network and share in a fun experience.
  • We will be in the best shape of our lives when we get hired through this ride.

We didn't go through pre-nursing and nursing schools only to encounter this awful situation. We worked hard to become RN's, remember? So, let's be good to ourselves for a change and turn this isolating unemployment experience into a collective positive one. I would be willing to bet that we could fund raise and get people to sponsor us on our ride. We could start a website, get active, enjoy ourselves, job search en route, and maybe this will put our nursing careers into gear. (pun intended)

The job of the nurse is to lead. The job of the nurse is to demonstrate what is possible in the face of adversity, to teach, and to effect healthy living and positive response to the inevitable rough patches in life: To make the best of things. And maybe, just maybe after such a ride there will be employers knocking on our door instead of the other way around. And don't you think they would be the kinds of folks you would want to work for?

Finances are an issue for most of us, so again let's get sponsored starting with our friends, neighbors, families. Does it sound like Relay For Life? Not that much different, is it? We are nurses. If you want to work as a registered nurse, and you ARE a registered nurse as I am, but there is a systemic rejection of new graduate RN's, then let's get going. Why should we grind it out in isolation behind the computer screen? Let's get into shape, let's see the country, let's show how healthy we can be, let's show that we are here and we want to work. Let's pedal! National Nurses Week is May 6 - May 12 this year. Not a bad time to kick it off. We didn't come all this way to get stopped dead in our tracks. Who's with me?

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Specializes in LTC.
Call it too many early days and late nights of endless job searching leading nowhere. After 100+ applications and 9 months post-NCLEX with my RN with no interviews and no offers, I am ready for something different. I think more than a few of us are in this boat. Spring and summer are almost here, so here's my idea: Let's go for a summer bike ride across the U.S. as New Grad RN's! Here's why:

  • We will be much healthier mentally and physically for our efforts and get up off our collective butts that are so sore from all this fruitless job searching.
  • We can bring attention to the problem of hospitals not hiring new grad nurses.
  • We can network and share in a fun experience.
  • We will be in the best shape of our lives when we get hired through this ride.

We didn't go through pre-nursing and nursing schools only to encounter this awful situation. We worked hard to become RN's, remember? So, let's be good to ourselves for a change and turn this isolating unemployment experience into a collective positive one. I would be willing to bet that we could fund raise and get people to sponsor us on our ride. We could start a website, get active, enjoy ourselves, job search en route, and maybe this will put our nursing careers into gear. (pun intended)

The job of the nurse is to lead. The job of the nurse is to demonstrate what is possible in the face of adversity, to teach, and to effect healthy living and positive response to the inevitable rough patches in life: To make the best of things. And maybe, just maybe after such a ride there will be employers knocking on our door instead of the other way around. And don't you think they would be the kinds of folks you would want to work for?

Finances are an issue for most of us, so again let's get sponsored starting with our friends, neighbors, families. Does it sound like Relay For Life? Not that much different, is it? We are nurses. If you want to work as a registered nurse, and you ARE a registered nurse as I am, but there is a systemic rejection of new graduate RN's, then let's get going. Why should we grind it out in isolation behind the computer screen? Let's get into shape, let's see the country, let's show how healthy we can be, let's show that we are here and we want to work. Let's pedal! National Nurses Week is May 6 - May 12 this year. Not a bad time to kick it off. We didn't come all this way to get stopped dead in our tracks. Who's with me?

I admire your ambition.

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Specializes in Neurology.

I feel your pain. It took me 9 months to land 1 interview, which I got rejected for the position. After about 10 months though, I got lucky and landed a job. It took a lot of time and persistence, but it paid off. I remember feeling kind of worthless for a while. I graduated with honors, passed my boards on the first try, won two academic awards, and still had so much difficulty finding a job. Nursing shortage my ass!

I can definitely feel your pain, but don't give up yet. You'll get a job eventually, but I hope it is sooner than later.

Also, if you do go on your bike ride across the country, swing by Philadelphia, I'll join ya for a bit! I love riding my bike and would love to support your cause, even though I have a job.

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Thanks! Like the adage goes, when life gives lemons you make lemonade :)

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Thank you, Eric! You are the first pin on my map! and it would be my first time in Philly. Congrats on your accomplishments. Les

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

I've been debating a long bike-ride for a while. I have done 2-day trips (150 miles) for the MS Society for a few years. Have wanted to do one between Western Pennsylvania and Southern Maryland (C&O Canal, Allegheny Towpath). But, with a turn of events this afternoon, it seems I'm no longer an unemployed New Grad RN. If your plans are to/from DC to Philadelphia and they coincide with my work schedule, that would be an interesting trip.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

you're an inspiration to all who is seeking employment in nursing, wishing you and everyone else the very best in all of your future endeavors... aloha~

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I actually would love to see this come to fruition. What a positive way to wake up the country to this situation and a positive way to cope with the struggle. I hope you can pull this off!

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Please come through Philly, I would jump on my bike and ride with you!!!

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Thanks for your sentiment, not.done.yet. Your handle for me says it all. I was laying in bed late last night and it was like this light went off. It's taken me nearly a year to realize this. Nursing is an adventure, right? I don't want to give up on the dream.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

As a cancer pt., I was repulsed at the OP comparing her situation to that of what cancer pts. go through. Believe me, not having job is not nearly as stressful as wondering if you're going to be alive in five years. I've been unemployed before, and that was not nearly as stressful as being seriously ill is.

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As a cancer pt., I was repulsed at the OP comparing her situation to that of what cancer pts. go through. Believe me, not having job is not nearly as stressful as wondering if you're going to be alive in five years. I've been unemployed before, and that was not nearly as stressful as being seriously ill is.

whoa, whoa, hold the phone! Are you talking about a different post? I never said such stuff. - The OP

p.s. I would appreciate it if you would retract your message. Thanks!

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