I must be doing it wrong- 7 months and counting

Nurses Job Hunt

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I'm the valedictorian of my class. I can write well, speak well, and interview well. I've taken at least 3 interview/career classes with different organizations in my lifetime. I've had my resume and cover letter professionally reviewed by HR people and a charge nurse. I've delivered some 100 resumes and counting over 6+ months. I don't smoke. I don't drink. I wear an expensive business suit. I arrive on time (early). If I have the chance to send in something concrete I put 10$ into a fancy portfolio, professional prints, and expedited shipping.

I don't care if I have to move and leave the house we just bought a year ago behind, though so far I've been canvassing my area and anywhere within an hour driving distance. I try to apply somewhere every day but often I apply lots of somewhere's. I would accept anything offered. I've applied to a couple out of state places.

So far I've had 3 interviews for one company competing for a residency. Its 15 days until the program starts and I haven't been called back yet.

I must be doing it wrong....

The only thing I can think of is I don't know the right people and I don't have any formal health care experience. I'm not sure where to go next. I could apply anywhere but that's a lot of options and I need some direction to narrow it down.

Any help, advice, or encouragement is appreciated.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

They have just so over-saturated the market. I highly doubt it is anything you are doing. Just keep at it. You will get a job eventually. What state are you in?

I'm in the Saint Louis (MO) region. I'm searching that area which is super-saturated with 15 or so nursing schools in the area. Still...

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I know. You have played by the rules, done everything right and even excelled. However, it is taking 6 months to a year for many new grads to find jobs because nurses are a dime a dozen now and so they do not want to pay to train the new grads.

Most major metro areas are now super saturated with nursing schools and still articles about the "shortage" which really is so inaccurate.

Can you network with any classmates who have found jobs?

Email or call nurse managers of places where have you applied. That's how I got my job! Can't hurt. Also, always send thank you letters or emails after interviews

What do say to a nurse manager after they have decided not to hire you? How do you network from there?

Same here almost a year and no job yet. U applied everywhere I don't know what else to do.

You definitely aren't alone...I graduated May 2013 and still have no job. I also have no healthcare experience besides nursing school, and don't seem to know any of the right people. I feel like I've done everything right too, but still nothing. I've had 6 interviews, 5 of which have been out of state and have sent out hundreds of applications. Nothing ever works. I know it's awful to go through this, but it just takes time. Keep applying/interviewing and we'll all get there one day. If you want to look out of state, I've found the indeed website to be a good resource. It doesn't have everything, but it gives you a good idea of what's out there in areas you may be unfamiliar with.

I'm in the same spot...Graduated in May, passed the NCLEX first time (Thank GOD!) and still no job! In my case it might have been partly my fault, I wanted a couple of months off, so when the one hospital that was hiring called one of our teachers I didn't tell her to give them my name because it was the last hospital I wanted to be at...but when I started looking, none of the hospitals here were hiring new grads. One of the hospitals went on strike and a bunch of experienced nurses quit and went to the other hospitals. I've had 3 interviews, thought they all went well but no call backs...have become very frustrated and depressed. Going to a LTC facility that announced that they hire new grads, hopefully I'll get an offer and be able to start working!

This is the most depressing thread I have read. It's amazing how many nurses complain about the ever - increasing workload and demands placed on them, but no one wants to hire newbies because we are to stupid to train (or take too long and cost too much). Let's just burn out the really good experienced ones instead. Awesome.

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