*UNEMPLOYED NURSES*

Nurses Job Hunt

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Aviationurse

267 Posts

Specializes in this and that.

Ive applied for a non nursing job at the local casino....

My hx:

RN X 19 YEARS....CLNC.....

the OHN job i had as contract/agency RN went bankrupt x1 year and closing the medical dept....

been off x 3 weeks now with no calls after applying everywhere.......taking one minute at a time....absolutely no family support or friends...my friends who are older and experienced AND also disabled nurses have stopped communicating with me as they have been going to diff states just to look for job and staying with relatives.....

not celebrating Christmas this year

T-Bird78

1,007 Posts

LPN, out of work since March (maternity leave) but actively searching for a job in GA for 6 months. Lost count of resumes/applications online and even faxing unsolicited to smaller offices. Nearly 20 interviews all over metro Atlanta, one offer that I turned down (just not comfortable making up vital signs and other practices going on at this place), and even a staffing service hasn't come through for me. At least one major healthcare group in the area has put me in their "auto-reject" file because my online assessment didn't meet their requirements (the answers are "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree" so it's not a right/wrong thing) and I can retest in 6 months. It's very frustrating, especially this time of year.

Susie2310

2,121 Posts

xxxxx

kcmylorn

991 Posts

so you are in favor of studying the mating habits of the pot-bellied spotted howling gecko wombat :)? just kiddin, i understand what you are saying. my random thoughts are not always the best lol

Probably have a better chance of getting a job doing that and probably better pay.

To answer some of the orginal question: Ive been looking for full time positon for 4 years, Have filed and been on unemployment twice. To get off unemployment, I have had to take several temp positions including an agency position( second attempt to avoid unemployment) where I was asked to do assignments 95, 87 and 109 miles from my home( each way) for 4 hour clinics which started at 7:30 AM.

One assignement was for 8 hrs 50 mies from my home, even told I would get extra per hour for doing the assignement, did the assigment, didn't see one dime of the extra money and then the agency refused to give me my pay stub to check the hourly rate. I went back to unemployment who told me they probably pocketed the money for themselves. and to not answer the phone to them and not to answer their e-mails any more. I got my unemployment which is where I stand now. been on 3 interviews, no word yet, I don't hold out much hope for ither of them, I have 30 years experience all acute care bedside with 2 years out patient doctors office- I am considering applying to a non nursing position after the Christmas holiday in a retail store. If I do get that position i am writing my state nursing association and telling them all about it and even to a few of the newspapers. I will tell every one I come in contact that I am a nurse and this is where I have to work to pay bills and why- Hospital CEO"s like mulitmillion dollar salaries, they don't believe in hiring nurses to take care of patients. I refuse to cover up for any of them. 5 brand new hospital built in a 30 mile radius of me and there are RN's on unemployment- I went to an information session at one of the local colleges and I know there are other RN's out of work- I've talked to them. They are going back to school to get certificates and associate degrees in fields other than nursing just to get jobs. Unemployment will pay for retraining!!! There is no nursing shortage. There's no shortage of money either- it's all in the CEO's pockets. How many resumes have I sent out- too many.

Fiscal cliff- I hope it comes, I have nothing else to lose!!But those CEO's sure do.

I will finish my BSN which I got state aid for due to the unemployment and throw that in the brag pile to the nursing association- BSN required!! for what a clerk in a retail store!!

kcmylorn

991 Posts

LPN, out of work since March (maternity leave) but actively searching for a job in GA for 6 months. Lost count of resumes/applications online and even faxing unsolicited to smaller offices. Nearly 20 interviews all over metro Atlanta, one offer that I turned down (just not comfortable making up vital signs and other practices going on at this place), and even a staffing service hasn't come through for me. At least one major healthcare group in the area has put me in their "auto-reject" file because my online assessment didn't meet their requirements (the answers are "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree" so it's not a right/wrong thing) and I can retest in 6 months. It's very frustrating, especially this time of year.

That has to United Healthcare- I took that test also. I am not sure if I am on their auto reject list. I will try it to see.

kcmylorn

991 Posts

Ive applied for a non nursing job at the local casino....

My hx:

RN X 19 YEARS....CLNC.....

the OHN job i had as contract/agency RN went bankrupt x1 year and closing the medical dept....

been off x 3 weeks now with no calls after applying everywhere.......taking one minute at a time....absolutely no family support or friends...my friends who are older and experienced AND also disabled nurses have stopped communicating with me as they have been going to diff states just to look for job and staying with relatives.....

not celebrating Christmas this year

You are not alone- I'm in a similar boat. I got screwed by an agency- promised me extra money per hour for doing a shift no one wanted- then they refused to give me my pay stub and I know I didn't get the extra money. Went to unemployment. I got my unemployment.I have been applying everywhere too- career builders, RN for 30 years - all bedside acute care except last 2 years doctors office which is why I can't get back to the hospital/out too long. Some facilities, I applied directly to their websites. I've been out for approx 3 weeks also. Been on 3 interviews- I don't think i got any of the positions. I am going to start applying to non nursing positions too after the holiday this week when things open up again- a retail chain for a clerk. That is about all I can do at this point.

no Christmas here either. Not even a tree.

rksgray13

64 Posts

Lost 2 jobs this year. Out for 2 months basically and now 4 months with this one. I have apps out, hand delivered resumes, Interview and offer decline with a long shot MDS at local NH, 1 interview with psych hospital. I was offered the job along with charge and diff, night/wked spot with shift diff, 15 min from home, pretty good pay considering, and just PERFECT. except for my childcare and school morning on mon. I was up front in the interview and with HR when offered the job. Childcare fell through and I scrambled only to fall short. they rescinded the offer. Still upset about that. This was halloween. 12 yrs nursing, 9 as LPN in offices, agencies, and specialty clinics. 2 1/2 yrs RN with majority in medical onc (as new grad), agencies, private duty, home health field nurse, and home infusions. Live in North MS and most work is out of Memphis, TN. So gas money, night shifts, 3 kids (second born first sem RN school, 3rd born 11 months after grad), SO drives a truck (also lost 3 jobs this year), 2012 sucks! The only jobs I see offering are dialysis, OR, travel, and hospital 12 hr shifts. Childcare is a big issue so exploring alternative sitters. We have a 5 floor hospital opening next year 10 min from home, a nursing home 7 minutes from home (applied her twice, 1 interview no luck), brand new assisted living 15 min from home, yet memphis is where the openings are. I did read a review very recently where they plan on raising mim wage to over $12/hr and the need to pay nurses more and hire more to reduce nurse-pt ratio. I agree. White collar hospital in a popularity contest line corporate pockets while less than blue collar (really) struggle and comprise their own sanity to survive day to day. Why does corporate get or need cushion while we do the dirty work? Take their incentives, cush, and perk/bonues and then recruit/keep your nurses. Boost on economy, happy nurses means happy work/home, etc etc. Look at exp and potential not friendship. Hate those "who you know" places. Let me in, and then we shall know one another. I have even thought of a masters in anesthesia, educate, family, and acute care then starting my own agency or practice. Work one, staff the other as an ower, and help nurses excel and love nursing as it should be. Thanks~ completelyfrustratedinms

lmburton

17 Posts

Have you thought about Travel nursing?

lmburton

17 Posts

I work for a Travel Healthcare company send me a PM

lmburton

17 Posts

How much experience do you have?

I have been searching for a nursing job for 6months. I have filled out hundreds of applications, had 2 interviews. Nothing has panned out.

I tried hospital work right after graduation and I guess I'm just not cut out for it. The stress and long shifts were just too much for me. So I've been trying to get a job in a clinic. Problem is they do not hire RNs for clinic positions in my town. I have noticed that there are tons of LPN positions open in my area. I really want to work in a clinic, and I don't care if I make LPN wages (it's better than what I'm making as a waitress). For some reason, nobody wants to hire an RN to work as an LPN. I don't understand what the big deal is. So I would technically be overqualified, aren't I overqualified to be a waitress? So what would I have to do to be able to work as an LPN? Could I take the certification exam for an LPN? It's either work as an LPN or move to a city, which is impossible because of my husband's job. Or live with the fact that I went through hell and back to make it through nursing school and ended up with $35K in student loan debt (which I can barely afford to make the payments on) all for nothing. I feel like I'm in a really impossible situation. Any suggestions are appreciated. Right now I feel like the decision to become a nurse was the worst decision I've ever made.

Specializes in Foot care.

On the topic of RN working at LPN level, I have done this. As a new grad RN and then a (stale or) lightly experienced one, I have occasionally applied for LPN jobs. If the ad is for LPNs only but sounds like a job I'd really like (usually because of the job setting), I apply anyway. I usually start my cover letter stating that I am aware they are advertising for an LPN and ask them to consider me anyway. I've gotten some interviews this way and of the two "permanent" jobs I got, one was advertising for an LPN, the other was advertising for either/or/both. Both jobs sucked, but that might be a coincidence. Usually what happens is during the interview, they decide I will not be happy with the job duties or the pay and I am dropped from consideration.

I find nothing wrong with working at an LPN level of responsibility; I actually think it would be ideal for new RN jobs to be interchangable with LPN jobs, as the first rung on the RN career ladder. Get those technical, direct-care skills down before progressing to tasks and responsibilities of greater complexity. It would seem to me to be a win-win for the employer; you have someone to do the "grunt" work, who will learn your system, and you can promote them when they reach whatever level of competency you require.

Earning lower wages is better than no wages! Some of my nursing classmates -- who have jobs, of course -- get mad at me whan I tell them I apply to LPN jobs. I've met some smart LPNs. And I've seen many LPN jobs advertised. I kind of wished I'd gone that route myself. But like kittiehasclasw, nursing school was tough, I have no job, a huge debt, and feel similarly about my decision to become a nurse.

I'm pretty sure I'll be doing something other than nursing in the new year.

Good luck to everyone here.

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