Old New Grad - Over 1 Year without a Job - Page 2

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  1. Aug 16, '12 by
    Mo2rn, I have the same story as you. Graduated with my associates in June of 2011, received my license in September, and then started applying for nursing jobs like crazy. I stopped counting resumes/aps I'd filled out and sent after the 100th one. I've had a whopping total of 2 interviews. Both places that I interviewed at told me that they liked me and that I would be passed along to a second interview. One was a recent interview so I am still holding my breath with that one and will actually be calling them today. The other one, I never heard from again. I even called them and emailed them trying to get a response (no I did not stalk them) and they would not reply or return my phone calls. I figured that they went with someone else but I still wanted to find out why they didn't send me to the second interview as they stated they would, and perhaps give me any pointers as to where I went wrong. No replies.
    I believe that I know where my problem lies in not getting a job so far. I'm 43 and I've spent the last 16 years being a fulltime stay at home mom. My last actual job was in a clerical position for a medical facility but it was eons ago and the facility has since moved and my old supervisor is long gone. So basically I have no real world working experience and I'm competing with so many people who are half my age who have experience as nursing assistants. It doesn't matter that I have real life experience, doesn't matter that I have had 4 children with various medical issues to deal with, doesn't matter that I helped take care of my grandmother with Alzheimers until her death, doesn't matter that I have volunteered in the local school system for years, etc....... None of that seems to count because I didn't do those things in a medical facility. I have my days of feeling really down about the whole "no job" situation but then I kick my butt a little and pull myself right back up. I've recently started applying at facilities that are 2 hours away, where I could work 2 or 3 days per week. I know that I would hate the drive but if it were only a few days a week I could survive in order to work and get experience. Moving to another state is not an option for me. I am not going to leave my family, that is not negotiable.
    aprilpam77 likes this.
  2. Aug 16, '12 by
    Take another look at your cover letter and your interviewing skills. Be prepared for the questions that are generally asked...practice interviewing with a friend.....make sure you look professional....check the websites that give you ideas on "how to interview".....keep applying.....make looking for a job your job. When I was looking I sent out two or three applications a day. I finally figured out that my cover letter was weak and bingo.....got two job offers. Also, think outside of the box. Look for temporary jobs....don't forget about some of the associations; American Cancer, Lung, Heart....they need nurses to teach......good luck........
  3. Aug 16, '12 by
    Quote from modgoth1
    Mo2rn, I have the same story as you. Graduated with my associates in June of 2011, received my license in September, and then started applying for nursing jobs like crazy. I stopped counting resumes/aps I'd filled out and sent after the 100th one. I've had a whopping total of 2 interviews. Both places that I interviewed at told me that they liked me and that I would be passed along to a second interview. One was a recent interview so I am still holding my breath with that one and will actually be calling them today. The other one, I never heard from again. I even called them and emailed them trying to get a response (no I did not stalk them) and they would not reply or return my phone calls. I figured that they went with someone else but I still wanted to find out why they didn't send me to the second interview as they stated they would, and perhaps give me any pointers as to where I went wrong. No replies.
    I believe that I know where my problem lies in not getting a job so far. I'm 43 and I've spent the last 16 years being a fulltime stay at home mom. My last actual job was in a clerical position for a medical facility but it was eons ago and the facility has since moved and my old supervisor is long gone. So basically I have no real world working experience and I'm competing with so many people who are half my age who have experience as nursing assistants. It doesn't matter that I have real life experience, doesn't matter that I have had 4 children with various medical issues to deal with, doesn't matter that I helped take care of my grandmother with Alzheimers until her death, doesn't matter that I have volunteered in the local school system for years, etc....... None of that seems to count because I didn't do those things in a medical facility. I have my days of feeling really down about the whole "no job" situation but then I kick my butt a little and pull myself right back up. I've recently started applying at facilities that are 2 hours away, where I could work 2 or 3 days per week. I know that I would hate the drive but if it were only a few days a week I could survive in order to work and get experience. Moving to another state is not an option for me. I am not going to leave my family, that is not negotiable.
    I truly feel your pain, i do not think your age should be a factor; in fact it should actually be a positive. These days it is so hard to tell what employers are looking for. It is amazing that once you know someone it is not as difficult, i am trying to network as hard as i can and hopefully that angle will pay off. We all need to keep trying, even though it is easier said than done.
  4. Aug 17, '12 by
    I'm sorry all of you are having a tough time finding jobs It must be location....I had a difficult time at first but after september (I graduated in may 2011) had better luck.....just keep trying.

    I remember my first interview....ugh....and how "great" I thought I did. With practice it became better.

    Finding a job is a stressful/annoying/drawn out process!!

    I wish you all luck and commend you all for not giving up.
  5. Aug 18, '12 by
    I will be graduation in east tennesee next spring and I already know I have to move. we have a dozen nursing schools pumping out nurses twice a year and only x amount of jobs available. it's gotten so bad the hospitals have stoppped hiring full time, aka no benefits, and only doing prn hiring for almost all new grads.
  6. Aug 19, '12 by
    Quote from BellasMommyOBRN
    I'm sorry all of you are having a tough time finding jobs It must be location....I had a difficult time at first but after september (I graduated in may 2011) had better luck.....just keep trying.

    I remember my first interview....ugh....and how "great" I thought I did. With practice it became better.

    Finding a job is a stressful/annoying/drawn out process!!

    I wish you all luck and commend you all for not giving up.


    Hi Bella from your post it seems as though you have gotten a job. If you don't mind can your share the location where you got a job as a new grad.
  7. Aug 19, '12 by
    I would really like to hear form new grads who got hired after one year and how was the process from getting an interview to finally landing the job.
    mern11 likes this.
  8. Aug 29, '12 by
    what other state is hiring new nurses? considering moving too.
  9. Asst. Admin
    Jan 12 by
    There is already a thread at AN regarding this new-grad petition: you can find both the link to the petition and discussion of it here:

    http://allnurses.com/first-year-afte...ew-807670.html
  10. Jan 12 by
    Quote from skeez
    I also live in "cutthroat" southern CA and it is indeed brutal.
    CA is indeed brutal to new nurses. I finally gave up and started to look in the most remote areas of the country specially the ones no one would want to go. I finally found one hospital at the edge of the Nevada desert which took me in, but man what a struggle to drive and live there. Still I'm tankful for what I have. The next huge nursing shortage is brewing as I write this. Big hospitals are really getting close to the edge. Staff is thin as a paper and they are just making by grilling a small staff of nurses, if a bunch of nurses leave now there will be trouble...and I think this is about to happen as the economy heats up...keep your fingers crossed.
    elprup likes this.