Older new grad, no employment history, shy, gay, good academics

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Adrian32

23 Posts

No, but getting a nursing job - esp. with no experience and a foreign nursing degree - in most diverse urban centers will be a challenge.

I feel like what dishes is saying is a huge long shot, and not likely to lead to a nursing position even if the OP should land a lab assistant position. (Been there, done that btw.)

OP -- You *are* facing an uphill battle. I do think that you have some personal experiences which can be turned into great interview or essay stories. But. Do you even know if your Indonesian nursing license will translate over? I'm not entirely certain that getting a nursing job in Indonesia will help. My own husband made the shift from Canada to the US and nobody would even look at his work experience because it was overseas. I'd imagine that having a language barrier doesn't help with that.

In terms of concepts behind practice I think the parallel is there. The only thing I know I would have to catch up on is the equipment/technology. But yeah it seems like a uphill battle, sigh.

I'm sorry, but what does "OP" mean?

Thanks again for the input dirtyhippiegirl.

Adrian32

23 Posts

I agree that the first step is finding out how you can get licensed in the US. You mentioned NY as an option. Best to start the ball rolling with your licensure application. I believe NY requires credentials verification from CGFNS for RN license applicants educated outside the US (see: CGFNS International — Global Credibility in Credentials Evaluation). This entire process is going to take quite a bit of time so I would consider seeking employment in Indonesia in the meantime. It may or may not mean much to a prospective US employer but if anything, it will validate the fact that you have overcome your perceived flaws and could handle the requirements of nursing.

Wow for some reason I was under the impression that NY didn't require CGFNS. But I'll look into it. Thank you juan de la cruz. :)

Adrian32

23 Posts

I would look into taking the NCLEX, and also volunteer while you are reviewing for the exam. Be sure and get references when you volunteer.

Does every state have its own NCLEX exam? If so, I guess I'd have to pick where to try to settle first. Thank you, swansonplace.

silverbat

617 Posts

Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

OP= original poster.. and yes, each state offers the NCLEX individually. There are compact states which come into play once you get your license, but every state requires NCLEX testing/passing.

swansonplace

789 Posts

Does every state have its own NCLEX exam? If so, I guess I'd have to pick where to try to settle first. Thank you, swansonplace.

Yes, we are certed by state. I know some international students go to texas. Something about the requirements and time.

A very long time ago, many Filipinas used to come to the US and work for hospitals as CNAs until they were able to pass the boards. Some were able to pass quickly, and some took over a year.

swansonplace

789 Posts

You seem to be conveying that the social anxiety is affecting your lifestyle. Since you are great at books, a great place to start is on educating yourself on it. Reading about questions you have until you get the answers you are looking for.

In the meantime, the nclex awaits.

dishes, BSN, RN

3,950 Posts

I would love to do that except would i also be a research subject? I'm not sure what you mean. I think a lot of my social anxiety is mostly specific now to my life circumstance at being rather psychosocially delayed, if that's even the correct term. I feel insecure about being my age and supposedly successful at school but not really having anything to show for it, professionally. It's just embarrassing and makes me on edge when meeting new people.

No, you would not have to be a research subject. I am talking about working as a clinical research associate. The job duties may include interviewing research subjects, ensuring that questionaires are completed, obtaining VS and bloodwork, it just depends on the type of research. Look up job descriptions for clinical research associates and you will get more ideas.

I threw the idea out there on a hunch. I have have been a nurse for many years and have past experience working in clinical research. When I read your post, I thought about the bosses I have had over the years and wondered which one would be most likely to hire you. A boss that came to mind, is a principal investigator for clinical trials, she hired staff with diverse personalities and she would be most likely to give someone who is extremely shy a chance. She looked for research assistants who have an avid desire to learn and strongly value knowledge and have the acedemic marks to back it. Based on my experience and from meeting other researchers, my gut tells me she is not the only researcher who would consider hiring someone in your situation.

swansonplace

789 Posts

No, you would not have to be a research subject. I am talking about working as a clinical research associate. The job duties may include interviewing research subjects, ensuring that questionaires are completed, obtaining VS and bloodwork, it just depends on the type of research. Look up job descriptions for clinical research associates and you will get more ideas.

I threw the idea out there on a hunch. I have have been a nurse for many years and have past experience working in clinical research. When I read your post, I thought about the bosses I have had over the years and wondered which one would be most likely to hire you. A boss that came to mind, is a principal investigator for clinical trials, she hired staff with diverse personalities and she would be most likely to give someone who is extremely shy a chance. She looked for research assistants who have an avid desire to learn and strongly value knowledge and have the acedemic marks to back it. Based on my experience and from meeting other researchers, my gut tells me she is not the only researcher who would consider hiring someone in your situation.

I was hoping you could give me some direction also, as to a match personality wise. I am looking for an area that will match a 51+ new nursing grad. I am a little slow on learning, but am a good worker. I enjoy taking care of patients, but am awkard socially and in politically negative environments as I care not to have anything to do with them. I am not looking to go up the chain of command, but to find a nice environment that I can contribute in. I am great once I learn a skill, but am awkard while trying to learn the skill. So I was looking to find a place that was more conducive to this type of personality. Any suggestions would be great.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN

1 Article; 1,265 Posts

Specializes in Hospice.

How can you ever be happy or free while you are hiding your true self? Coming out of the closet may not be easy, you said if it were easy you would do it, but all of your other accomplishments weren't easy either, were they?

CrunchRN, ADN, RN

4,530 Posts

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Be yourself, don't mention anything personal. Just not part of the whole interview and get hired process. Concerning the no previous employment I would just say that I was in school the whole time and then caring for elderly ill parents.

Try to find a state like Nebraska that has the most need and is more welcoming to new grads.

I think you have done really well and you just need to be you and if that slowly evolves into letting people know you are gay then fine, if not, it is none of their business anyway. Do what works best for you, but your sexual orientation has nothing to do with your employability.

Adrian32

23 Posts

Yes, we are certed by state. I know some international students go to texas. Something about the requirements and time.

A very long time ago, many Filipinas used to come to the US and work for hospitals as CNAs until they were able to pass the boards. Some were able to pass quickly, and some took over a year.

I was thinking of doing that. I received CNA certification in California 6 years ago but never used it. I'm wondering if the process of getting myself recertified would require my taking CNA classes again? Or would the fact that I have a BSN degree help me work as a CNA right away? My guess is it depends on the state and/or individual healthcare institution?

Adrian32

23 Posts

You seem to be conveying that the social anxiety is affecting your lifestyle. Since you are great at books, a great place to start is on educating yourself on it. Reading about questions you have until you get the answers you are looking for.

In the meantime, the nclex awaits.

Yes it's really held me back a number of times. In high school when it was really bad I remember winning a scholarship but was too shy to go get it from some hospital that was awarding it to me because it meant I had to have lunch with some administrators. I'm terrible ashamed of it.

Since then I have really educated myself about it. Read a number of self-help books. Went through some hypotherapy audio programs. Even got one-on-one therapy for a little while. I'd get too shy to continue that, too. I also tried to participate in an experimental study to try out a new drug for social anxiety but the fact that I was exercising too much at the time excluded me.

The social anxiety is not as bad anymore ever since the significant weight loss but the anxieties resulting from the obesity are now slowly being replaced by those stemming from my being unemployed at my age even with supposedly decent academic credentials.

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