So bitter? So soon?

Nurses Job Hunt

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Specializes in ED, trauma.

In this lack of a nursing shortage, I'm angered when I see timid, unprofessional, new grads getting jobs and then complaining they don't want the job because they deserve more money.

I have joined all the nursing associations I can afford, gotten all the certifications I can manage, have CNA/PCT experience, and glowing recommendations from preceptors and instructors. For what? To be unemployed?

Sure I may move out of state to land my first job, but it's frustrating that I have to leave, bear the expense of moving, start in a new place where I know no one, know where nothing is, and be unfamiliar with my surroundings and my job.

When these new grads are landing their jobs because they got lucky, all I can think is, they're in it for the wrong reasons, will leave in a few months, and make it hard for the next new grad who applies. I'm bitter that these are the people getting hired! Is that so wrong? I'm graduating in August but the people landing jobs don't even want to be a nurse. It's a means to an end and they're looking to be on these units, get into critical care so they can leave to be a CRNA.

I WANT to be a nurse, the kind that works in a hospital for whatever they give me, advocate for my profession and my specialty. I WANT to be hired into ED because I don't want to leave a unit short and make it tough for another new grad.

Sorry, I just needed to vent. I'm going back to school for an EMT and paramedic license. Nursing just isn't what I want - unemployed and in debt. I want to work. Obviously I'm never going to get a job as a nurse. So why bother fighting it?

At this point, I hear about shortages in other states, not even sure I have the money for endorsement. So back to school, more loans, more debt, and hopefully a job that will welcome me and not put me out no matter my commitment.

This is why patients complain about their nurses. You discourage the dedicated, hire the ones just looking for a check, there's no compassion on these units. Everyone is getting bitter, not better! And here's another bitter new grad, who will never get to be the nurse she's always wanted to be.

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Could not agree more! Well said.

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Specializes in Neuro/Orth/Tele.

You are so right...

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Take a breath!! You don't even graduate for another two months! How do you know you won't have a job?

I understand that you are just venting....but you seem to have a very negative, defeatist attitude. Please be careful when you are interviewing for jobs, because truly, that type of attitude can come through if you don't keep it in check.

Chin up! It may not be as bad as you are predicting!!

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
Take a breath!! You don't even graduate for another two months! How do you know you won't have a job?

I understand that you are just venting....but you seem to have a very negative, defeatist attitude. Please be careful when you are interviewing for jobs, because truly, that type of attitude can come through if you don't keep it in check.

Chin up! It may not be as bad as you are predicting!!

Thanks, it was a vent. I am a very positive person but 75+ applications and no interviews is already wearing me down. I will keep plugging way at it after I have my license in hand, but it's still pretty frustrating when individuals are hired from my class, complain about the job, say they hate the unit and can't wait for a transfer...when I would be so grateful to be on a cardiac unit.

They trash talk the profession, the place that hired them, the unit for how under-updated it is, the unit manager, the nurses who will be their coworkers are "stupid" or "don't get how to be a nurse".....these people are so in for a reality shock!

I have spoken with the GN recruiters in my area, they have no more than 20 spots available in October, and the next hiring batch will be in January. When there are well over 400 GN's looking for a job in this area every semester....I'd say its a right market. I do plan on going for my EMT this fall and working as such until I can afford to move to where I can land an RN position.

You may think this is somehow a negative attitude, but I'm being realistic, and I'd rather be realistic than disillusioned that somehow the nursing profession is recession proof and that there is a mass shortage.

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Specializes in ED, trauma.

In my area, you either have a job because you were working on the unit already (I wasn't so lucky to land a tech job even after 37 applications) or because of a sweet reaction placement (strike 2 for me....)

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Specializes in ICU.

I just thought I'd chime in that being in nursing for the "wrong reasons" doesn't mean those people will be bad nurses. They may still be some of the best nurses in the hospital. There were plenty of nurses making it absolutely clear that the floor I worked on as a CNA was just a stepping stone for them on their way to something else... and those people still got wonderful thank you cards from patients for their excellent care, were always willing to do CNA tasks with me when I fell behind, and always had smiles on their faces (in front of the patients, the cussing in the break room was another story!). Everyone's motivation for going into nursing is different, but how people actually behave on the floor has more to do with work ethic than motivation. If their work ethic and poker faces are good enough, patients will never figure out that they're miserable, hate their salary, and don't want to work where they're working.

It sucks that you haven't found a job yet. It might just be that you need to apply out of state if you're in a popular area saturated with new grads. I know you said you don't want to move out of state, but honestly, it's not any different from moving across the same state when you're talking about not knowing anyone. Even if I had landed a job somewhere that I'm from, if I moved away from the city I went to nursing school in I still wouldn't know anyone. I am moving out of state for my first job, and endorsement isn't actually that expensive. The whole shebang is less money than I spent on all of the NCLEX fees. With the cost of moving, some places like the job I found will reimburse you for relocation - my job has offered to reimburse up to $2000 of my moving fees. Granted, I'll have to put the charges on my credit card, but I haven't heard about any of my classmates who got hired in state getting reimbursed for moving, so it was actually cheaper to go out of state than stay in state for me.

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Specializes in ED, trauma.
I just thought I'd chime in that being in nursing for the "wrong reasons" doesn't mean those people will be bad nurses. They may still be some of the best nurses in the hospital. There were plenty of nurses making it absolutely clear that the floor I worked on as a CNA was just a stepping stone for them on their way to something else... and those people still got wonderful thank you cards from patients for their excellent care, were always willing to do CNA tasks with me when I fell behind, and always had smiles on their faces (in front of the patients, the cussing in the break room was another story!). Everyone's motivation for going into nursing is different, but how people actually behave on the floor has more to do with work ethic than motivation. If their work ethic and poker faces are good enough, patients will never figure out that they're miserable, hate their salary, and don't want to work where they're working.

It sucks that you haven't found a job yet. It might just be that you need to apply out of state if you're in a popular area saturated with new grads. I know you said you don't want to move out of state, but honestly, it's not any different from moving across the same state when you're talking about not knowing anyone. Even if I had landed a job somewhere that I'm from, if I moved away from the city I went to nursing school in I still wouldn't know anyone. I am moving out of state for my first job, and endorsement isn't actually that expensive. The whole shebang is less money than I spent on all of the NCLEX fees. With the cost of moving, some places like the job I found will reimburse you for relocation - my job has offered to reimburse up to $2000 of my moving fees. Granted, I'll have to put the charges on my credit card, but I haven't heard about any of my classmates who got hired in state getting reimbursed for moving, so it was actually cheaper to go out of state than stay in state for me.

You're right, they may make good nurses with their poker faces. As they can continue to use a job as a stepping stone and still be good, doesn't mean they should trash talk the job, they should at least be somewhat grateful, but that's my opinion, that's my belief and my vent.

Since I've been in the emergency department 8 times in the last 30 days with ailing parents, forgive me if I think the cost of moving out of a place I settled with them is too great. I need to be able to support them in their final years, and unfortunately it looks like this BSN was a waste if I want to be able to care for them.

I barely have money for NCLEX fees and honestly, don't know where my next meal will come from, much less my parents. So as I see them hungry and supportive of my choice to be a nurse, I can't help but feel like I have failed them and made the wrong choice.

Lesson learned I guess!

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

I hope you find some optimism some where. I chose the school I did because they place us in jobs when we graduate plus it has the accreditation I need for future degrees I want. Realize that nurses that want to be CRNAs have to work on floors for experience and will leave the floor once they get it. That is the only way to get into the programs they want so they are doing what they have to do. You need to do what you need to do. Don't focus on them because it does you no good. I do wish I had an easy answer on what to do to get you a job quick but I know one thing and that is God has a plan for you. I wasn't going to comment on this thread but I feel like I am suppose to. I believe that you will get contacted with the right job at the right moment. I wish the best for you and hope what you need comes sooner than later!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I sympathize with the OP's predicament - It's horrible to have such a difficult time starting your career.

But - I don't believe that seeking EMT certification will be of value for a nursing career. EMT's are first-responders whose scope of practice does not include any sort of acute care. In many states, first-responder can only work in an "unlicensed" role (directly supervised by an RN or physician) within a hospital because of the limitations of their scope of practice.

I know that it's irritating to hear just about every new grad saying that they want to be a CRNA or NP instead of working as a "nurse". But keep in mind that very few will actually achieve that goal, particularly if they don't really like nursing practice enough to excel as a bedside nurse. Maybe they don't realize that CRNAs - as well as any other type of APN - are NURSES who are practicing in an advanced role. Therefore, they need to first establish clinical competency as a direct care nurse in order to be eligible to apply for the graduate programs.

Wishing you big 'work MOJO'!!!

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I realize this was a vent, and I hope that it has served its purpose -- to shed some negative energy so that you can "fill up" with some good vibes.

Parts of your post are incongruous -- you state that your class does not graduate until August ... but you also discuss classmates who appear to be already working as nurses (complaining about the unit, the manager, etc.)

In some geographic areas the job market for new grads is nonexistent -- but since some of your classmates have secured jobs before graduation, that does not appear to be the case in your area. You said you have CNA/PCT experience -- are you currently working? If so, are you making the most of the potential for networking where you are? True, that may not be an ER or cardiac unit. But if I was 0 for 75 I would be looking for any and all ways to change my odds by changing the parameters of the game.

I gather from your post that you are a significant source of financial support for your parents, and that is an extremely tough position to be in. EMT certification which leads to work experience as an EMT may help you land an ER job in the future, but it is unlikely to provide enough income to put food on the table for 3 people.

Wishing you well.

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I am sorry you feel this way. My husband has been a RN for 15+ years. He has been looking for a new job and has put in 35 applications within the last couple months. I am a RN and it took me 27 applications to get 2 job offers. It is a tough job market all around. I don't know if there are prerequisites but a pre-hospital certification would be more relevant than getting your EMT. Hang in there. I know it must be frustrating to be in this position.

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