New NP, cannot find a job

Nurses Career Support

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Hi, I graduated my program in August of 2014 and passed the ANCC in December and became licensed in January. For the life of me I cannot find a job. I currently work full time as a nurse supervisor at a behavioral health facility and I love what I do and I am currently doing home health assessments, self scheduled, as an independent contractor as a NP during the week because they pay well. I have gone on multiple interviews, more than I ever imagined, however, no one calls me back. There are many part time jobs out there but I cannot give up my full time weekend job now because my husband is in school and I have our health benefits for now.

I am so frustrated. I really cannot relocate because of family and my husband being in school. I feel like people see my experience in behavioral health and do not think I can work in a family practice setting. I am certified and licensed as a family nurse practitioner. It's been so stressful that I am actually going back for a post masters as a psychiatric mental health NP this fall at Wilkes.

I plan on utilizing career services at Thomas Jefferson and Wilkes has been so nice in giving me suggestions but so far no takers.

The other issues I have is pay. The salary I make now as a nurse supervisor with my benefits is better than what some places offered me as a new NP!

Anyone else out there in Pennsylvania having a difficult time finding employment?

I would love to work in a family practice setting.

Also, I applied to behavioral health positions and the ONLY reason I can't get a job there is because I'm not licensed as a PMHNP and it would have to do with insurance and billing, other than that I'm overly qualified for that.

I almost the university I got my degree from told me that without actual hospital experience I would have difficulty finding a job, I never would have gone back for family NP and would have specialized in psych from the beginning.

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