Discouraged

exp626 · May 15, 2014

I worked with a woman (recently) who couldn't get work as a new RN in the large city in which she lived. She moved to my smaller city three and a half hours away to work for two years and gain some experience, then she found work in her home city and moved back. The other bonus was that our hospital has an internship program for new nurses and is a Magnet hospital, so it was a good professional experience.

MoshRN · May 15, 2014

No do not get an MSN. I debated that as well.

livefully · May 16, 2014

Thanks guys. I'm having a bit of a hard week. Moving is a last resort, my husband's income is what we are living on. And I don't want to uproot my kids.

Biffbradford · May 16, 2014

How long have you been looking?

livefully · May 16, 2014

About a yr

Palliative Care, DNP · May 16, 2014

I'm not sure why you couldn't proceed with an MSN program. It is completely separate roles and there are many folks that make that transition every day. Technically, you are no longer a new grad and that will magnify the difficulty in finding a job. You are now competing with this year's new grads for the same spots. Good Luck

Nola009 · May 16, 2014

Maybe you need to.redo your resume and coverletters. Since you already have a BSN, I wouldn't continue with schooling until after I got some experience, but that's up to you.

anonymurse · May 21, 2014

Apply to the VA. They don't seem to care about how long you've been looking.

Delicate Flower · May 21, 2014

Have you tried all avenues, including LTC and home care? How far from home is your radius that you are looking? Can you maybe expand your radius and apply to positions farther away?

Do you have any contacts who could put in a good word for you with hiring managers? Nursing school instructors, friends, etc? It does matter who you know.

Revamp your resume. Do some research into what the employers are looking for, and show how you fulfill that need.

It is just my opinion, but going back to school for MSN is a little premature at this point. It will take lots of time to get it done, and it aint cheap! I know several MSN's and NP's who are working at the bedside now, because they can't find work in their field. And having never worked as an RN, what if you hate it? Do you really want to dive into more education before you dip your toe in the waters, so to speak?

Maybe you could contact one of the managers you have interviewed with, and ask them (from a place of sincerity and humility) what it was that was lacking in your interview or resume. You might even get a second chance.

Lastly, find out if you can talk to a nursing recruiter. Sometimes those people are harder to get access to than the POTUS. But if you can, they can be a good resource as to finding out where your best bets are, or even getting an interview set up.

livefully · May 21, 2014

Thanks, these are all good suggestions.

The MSN was a desperate attempt at doing something othet than twiddling my thumbs.

I certainly will not feel qualified as an APRN without any RN experience, so it's not a route I'm going to go down if I have a choice.

Thanks again everyone, when it's time, it'll happen, I guess.