So frustrated I could cry

Nurses Job Hunt

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Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse.

So, I have kind of a unique situation. Both my husband and I went to nursing school in PR. It is accredited by the NLNAC so I didn't think we would have any problems. Well, we moved to AZ and it is around $2500 for both of us to even take the NCLEX here because for some crazy reason AZ considers Puerto Rico as international. We have four children, so there is NO way we can come up with that $$. Not to mention, no one is hiring new nurses here anyway. I just got a cashier job at Wal-Mart so we can have at least some money coming in. I just can't get over the fact that I have a nursing degree and I'm cashiering and pushing freaking shopping carts in the 115 degree AZ heat for $8.05 an hour just to make ends meet. What did I go to nursing school for?!?!?! My husband had an interview at DaVita today for a reuse technician since he doesn't have his RN license and won't have it for God only knows how long, and they said he was too qualified. Seriously?! I have seen plenty of people on here saying that they worked as medical assistants, technicians, phlebotomists, etc., but how do they land those jobs without being "over qualified"?????

I could just cry right now. We have no money to pay for the NCLEX/license, and working at Wal-Mart and other minimum wage jobs will never allow us to save for it. I'm so frustrated. Meanwhile, the student loans will have to be repaid soon, making it even tougher. Ughhhhhh! Thanks for letting me vent. I feel completely defeated.

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Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse.

Oh yeah, and my husband got pneumonia in April and didn't know it for over a month, which caused right-sided CHF. So, he is super sick and dealing with all of this. We need a miracle :(

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awww :( So sorry to hear about all these troubles you are having. Maybe you can go to a neighboring state and get licensed there? Then apply for your RN license in AZ once you already have it from another state..

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Dear designer-mommy,

sorry to hear about what you are going through. I pray things get better with you.

I came from India after my BSN and went through so much, I worked at a coffee shop for $7.25/hour and they wouldn't let me

work 40 hours a week if their business was running low. I did a nursing assistant's course while I worked at the coffee shop

and started to work as a CNA, while working my way up to be an RN in United States.

And, sometimes I couldn't help but cry.

All I could tell you is don't give up, there are some good people around who would offer you a job, all you got to do is keep looking.

Door to door job hunting helps in such a situation.

phelbotomist, tech-jobs are usually given after you pass a certification exam.

See if you or your husband could sign-up for any such certification course(usually 1 month long), if possible.

I don't know how much my response helped you, But I wish you the best.

Hang in there!!

God Bless

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I understand your frustration with this situation, but it would seem to serve as a cautionary tale for others. Be sure to thoroughly investigate everything before moving to another part of the country in hopes of finding a job. I am sure that the information about PR licenses could have been uncovered easily enough.

PP's advice about looking at neighboring states seems to be the best approach.

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Hi i graduated from PR too with my nursing degree ASN and i took my nclex in another state which i didnt have any problems . I have heard that not all states recognized PR nursing school as part of the states.PM me if you like to know more about other states that you can take your nclex

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This is terrible. All I can say is have faith and do what you have to do to survive. As for the loans, if they are federal student loans you can get on the income based repayment plan. Which is exactly what it sounds like. It is based off your income and family size. I wish you well.

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I am not too familiar with international school regulations but I do know you can take NCLEX and get licensed in another state and then have it endorsed in AZ... so maybe try Nevada or something(that is where I am licensed) - the state board is very easy to reach and I am sure they will be able to help you.

Good Luck!

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Sorry for hear that, but do not give up. You can work as a CNA since you did not get your RN license yet.. And it would help you for the future RN job by doing that too.

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