1 year old RN seeking advise for obtaining a job.

[SENSUALBLISSINFL]

Seeking advise for obtaining a job.

I am posting this on the nursing general board; which I hope is the right place, if not I hope the administrators will move this to the right place.

I need suggestions, advise on what I can do to get a job. My post will probably sound like a vent, but I am not sure what else I can do.

I graduated last year, passed my boards in August and ever since I have been trying to look for a job. Every application has been done online, hospitals here in South Florida, do not like walk-ins; a tactic I tried once.

To make myself desirable, I got ACLS, BLS and PALS certified (from AHA of course), and took a basic EKG course as well as a telemetry course. I am bilingual (English/Spanish), I have experience in the medical field and with customer service.

So I am not getting any job offers. I have only had 3 interviews (2 of these from friend's referrals), and of course for each position they are thousands applying.

I have started looking for positions other than nursing, but not getting offers either. I feel that once they see I have an RN license, they think I will leave them as soon as I find a job as an RN. I cannot blame them for thinking this, however, I have not have a job for over 14 months, and one can only survive without income for so long.

All the applications ask if one has any type of license, and so of course, I check the yes button. It is public record, and as a nurse I feel I owe it to them to know, also keep in mind that it would be grounds for dismissal if later it is found out that I lied on the application. Even Starbucks online application ask you that. I just interviewed for a non-related position, and the first thing I was asked "your are a nurse, why are you here?" I did not expect that question, caught me off guard.

I put I have an Associate Degree in Science on the application, they want to know my major. It is as if I am stuck either way.

I am typically a very upbeat person, always thinking that God has something good in store for me and faith is what has kept me going, but at this moment I am running on steam.

I started my BSN with an expected graduation of 12/2014, so relocating at this time is not possible, but I need to make a living. I am even questioning right now if that is all worth it. I got a grant so I am taking advantage of this education though.

I am reaching out for suggestions, advise, positive reinforcement. I am also sure that I may be speaking on behalf of a lot of new graduates in the same position.

Is it my age? I am 49. Is it my weight? I am not exactly in shape? Is it lack of knowledge? This is troubling, because I feel I am forgetting my nursing skills. I am not sure what to think anymore.

I am professional, reliable, I have perfect attendance the last place I worked. I am mature, I do not have children, though I am very involved with my parents' well being.

I have had moments when I think that perhaps nursing is not for me. I have a degree, but not able to use it. I will have my BSN, but by then I will be a nurse for three years with no experience. It is sad that an educated person, able and willing to work, cannot, as I am sure many are.

The classmates that have gotten jobs, when I ask them how they did it, they tell me that they are doing the same thing and get the interviews and offers.

I approach each interview honestly, I do not practice nor forsee what they are going to ask me, I want to give them truly who I am. I am compassionate, caring and I want to serve my patients. So many people reheorifice but they are not being themselves. Maybe that is my flaw.

Sigh....accept my apologies in advance if I do not present my case any clearer.

Disappointed in South Florida

[SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN]

@ crystalNC, I have friends that live in North Carolina and Atlanta. I have been resisting moving because my parents are getting older in age, and with age comes health issues and needs that will need to be addressed, they will be left alone to fend for themselves and I just cannot allow that. They will not relocate (after all the Florida weather is not as brutal as up north). My background is centered around family, and we take care of our elders. I will at some point realize the option of at least moving to two or three counties away from where I live now, I can actually entertain that and still be available for my parents, since it is within the same state. However right now I got a grant that will allow me to finish my BSN, my expected graduation will be in the fall of 2014 if all goes well, and so staying put is what I must do, hence my search for a non-nursing job. I will see how God moves things around. Thank you.

@SuesquatchRN, you state that you became an RN at 53 and you are now 60, please consider that even as recent as four years ago the jobs were more available to new graduates than now. For what I have read, the trend of difficulty for new graduates late of 2008. As I posted LTC does not give you a proper orientation, however, I would also admit that perhaps not all are like that, and will pursue to at least finding out. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

[conscientiousnurse]

You mentioned having experience as a private home caregiver, and also being willing to try non-nursing jobs. Have you tried applying for a home health aide or CNA position? At least they would understand the reason behind an R.N. trying to apply for these positions, because after they see your job performance they may be able to hire you as an R.N. in the same company. And it is entirely reasonable that a home health agency, for instance, would be able to hire a new grad as a private-duty home care R.N., as long as they give an orientation for every client they put you with. In my state, these agencies do hire new grads. Also, have you gone the way of putting your resume on LinkedIn and trying to expand your network to reach more recruiters?

[SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN]

Hello Conscientiousnurse, I actually have the free basic account on LinkedIn, though my resume is not searchable. I suppose I should change this, I have not made it searchable because although one hopes the right person sees it, there is a chance that the wrong will as well.

It has been my understanding that once one has the RN, no medical setting will hire you below that due to liability issues. If I am wrong, then I will definitely seek this as an option.

I applied at the VA for a position non RN-related, I did not get the job ;( I wanted that job so much, because I would have stayed there as it gave me the opportunity to still care for patients even though it was not as a nurse, earn enough, and becoming part of a great organization.

Thank you for your advise.

[conscientiousnurse]

I'm not sure about whether no medical setting would hire you as an LPN or CNA due to liability issues. I have interviewed for an LPN position in the past, when I was an R.N., so some settings may be more willing to do this than others. Basically, you would have to agree to working in a lower position and acting within the bounds of that position, not in the bounds of an R.N. It's worth calling and asking them if they would do it. Some home health agencies, assisted living agencies, and LTC settings

might be very desperate for a CNA/HHA or LPN and might be willing to do it. It's a great deal for them if you're able to take the lower salary.

[SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN]

I have applied to LPNs position, no calls yet I even applied last week at a position for LPN at the VA. I feel so in the middle, not getting hired because of the new graduate stigma or not getting hired for having an RN in the non nursing positions.

I will keep trying, I am hoping something will show up, otherwise I see myself in bad shape and this cannot be good for my health.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.