Need some help. Insight, support, just something

Nurses Job Hunt

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OK... so there are no words for how frustrated I am today. I want to scream into a pillow. Or something else generally "therapeutic"... but first some background-

I graduated my ADN program May 11, 2012. I have had a hell of a time just getting to graduation - ex-hubby asked for a divorce when I got home from the first day of nursing school, left me with two kids & no income so that our house was foreclosed on in my second semester. During my summer psych (third) semester I had to move into my parent's roach infested home because it was there or the homeless shelter - just to stay in Nursing school. Then, during my fourth semester the front tire on my car blew which then caused the vehicle to bottom out and dislodge the oil pan just enough to render the vehicle undriveable. Finally, during my final semester I have so far not been able to find a residency because I am "not competitive enough" as stated by the *large Dallas hospital* recruiter and many others. Honestly I have been through alot, there are other who may have been through more I guess, but the fact that I made it through all that with a better than 3.0 GPA and no previous medical experience should speak VOLUMES about my ability and my passion for the field. I should also add that I did that with no special accomodations for my situation, many of my instructors didn't even know what I was going through. Alas, all residencies in the DFW area are now full (with the exception of the *closest county hospital* - whom I desperatley would love to work with, but have not heard a single word from other than *this is the last email you will get unless you are selected as a candidate*) and I am left with nothing but the reassurance from others that it "gets better once you have RN behind your name."

I said I graduated May 11 right? It is now June 3 and I still have no Authorization to Test. The board you ask? NO! Two people in my Nursing class failed to apply for graduation, so it held up ALL of our Affidavits of Graduation at the college. Now test sites and dates are filling up and I may have to make a bank-breaking drive 4 hours away just to test NCLEX. I have made it through school without once screaming "It's not fair" but this one time, I think I am justified - why should 2 people hold up a class of over 100??? I don't know what to do I am so stressed and I only have a month or so of expenses put away to care for myself and my children - I am running out of options. I don't want to leave the field. I want to go higher, because Nursing seems like the only fit for me - BSN, then MSN/DNP in Midwifery and CNM!! But it seems as if nobody cares....... HR is an impenetrable wall. I just feel so discouraged, I try to keep a positive outlook, a smile on face even though I am crying inside. I just need some support, somewhere to turn before I break. I am so tired of the "it's not what you know, it's who you know culture" here in DFW.

Any ideas that could help me stand out? Maybe draw a recruiters attention and help me be more "competitive?" I am already a AWHONN member (won a free membership at a meeting, luckily) and am getting ready to take the Intro to Fetal Monitoring class - but I am not limiting myself to just WH/OB/L&D internships because what I need more right now is a way to feed my kids and get them out of my parents deplorable home, while I grow that and do my BSN (already enrolled)...

I cannot move out of DFW area because of custody agreement with ex. I move out of the county I live in now - I lose my kids.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

You have done amazingly well considering all the obstacles. I know both hospitals in Gregg County (Longview) are expanding. I do not know about Tyler, but there are options there as well. You may have to relocate. Prayers for a better future!

Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

This is just a small hurdle compared to the ones you've already had to jump through! While there is nothing you can do to get your ATT number, continue studying and know that sometimes things are just out of your control. I'm sorry I have no advice for you in the current economy, but my heart goes out to you. You will find something, keep the faith! Really, it's okay to say "It isn't fair!"

I can't believe you had to wait d/t 2 people. I had some problems with getting my ATT number as well, but it didn't hold anyone up but me. Please keep us posted so we can cheer you on!! Good luck :)

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Hoping something good breaks for you soon!

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Don't have help for you other than some encouragement!! You can do this! You have come this far-you'll make it. We had three separations/divorces in my small class of 50 and our instructor said this is quite common. I am sorry fro all you have gone through, but don't give up! Our class motto was from Nemo when Dory said: just keep swimming!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

I know it isn't easy, and I can't say I've tried it, but there are a few posts suggesting being more proactive in trying to get a first job. Suggestions (often in the First Job Help section under careers), include getting the names and email addresses (and perhaps telephone numbers) of the Directors for various floors in hospitals you'd be interested in. You could see if you qualify to become a CNA and try to find a CNA position (to get into the medical field). You could volunteer (not sure how much that would help). You could try to get certifications (like ACLS) but those can cost money.

What I did was go on spurts of applying for pretty much every position in hospitals that didn't say "xyz experience REQUIRED" (I did apply to stuff that said "ideal candidate will have xyz experience"). I also ended up getting another nursing license so I could work in another area (close to drive). I went through a few spurts of putting many, many applications, and then eventually got lucky with the position I was hired for (took 6+ months of random looking spurts).

Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

It is unfair that your NCLEX paperwork was held up for a few students. This happened with my LVN cohort. They waited to send until a couple of people had submitted their makeup hours and retaken the HESI.

I love the new TOS regarding no text speak. When was this implemented and is this why the number of moderators has expanded. Bravo but I pity you your jobs since it'll take a lot to keep up with. GO GRAMMAR!

It is unfair that your NCLEX paperwork was held up for a few students. This happened with my LVN cohort. They waited to send until a couple of people had submitted their makeup hours and retaken the HESI.

I love the new TOS regarding no text speak. When was this implemented and is this why the number of moderators has expanded. Bravo but I pity you your jobs since it'll take a lot to keep up with. GO GRAMMAR!

I agree on the text speak issue. I am young, and part of the tech generation, but I find text speak so belittling of professional status...

Are you free, otherwise, to practice the Art anywhere in the world? Have you thought way outside the box? Indian reservations need help (see my Facebook page regarding a location in Arizona). The Armed Services would probably put you to work and give you a rank and some excellent experience, plus a view of the world. Have you taken your boards? What is your passion regarding speciality and where do you want to end up? Wound care, surgery, educator, public health, ARNP, diabetic specialist? Bless you and good luck.

I can really offer no advice, but.. you've survived so many things. Most people would have given up long ago. Something has to give, and it will!!! Hang in there. Like others have said- maybe you can volunteer.

I was in a similar situation. My husband is military and I couldn't find a job when we moved to Georgia. Ironically enough before that we lived in Wichita Falls, TX. Going from one place with no jobs to another. It was just dandy. NOT. Anyway, I started volunteering and almost immediately a lot of doors opened for me. I know that volunteering doesn't pay the bills- but it's something to put on a resume and allows you to be around people who may have the ability to put you into a position. Also, it lifts your spirits.

I don't know if you're at the place I was.. but I wasn't getting out of a bed. I wasn't a happy person. I was angry, to say the least.

Good luck! Hang in there! You have SO much to be proud of.. because really, most people would have quit nursing school with all that going on. It's hard out there unfortunately, but something has to give and it will!!

Are you free, otherwise, to practice the Art anywhere in the world? Have you thought way outside the box? Indian reservations need help (see my Facebook page regarding a location in Arizona). The Armed Services would probably put you to work and give you a rank and some excellent experience, plus a view of the world. Have you taken your boards? What is your passion regarding speciality and where do you want to end up? Wound care, surgery, educator, public health, ARNP, diabetic specialist? Bless you and good luck.

I have custody agreement that says I may not live outside Tarrant or Johnson County, TX and that if I do I lose custody of my children. I may still see them, but only every other weekend or even less if I move further than 100 miles. It's not good for a 2 and 4 year old to lose their mommy. As stated in OP, I would like to be CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) with either MSN in Midwifery or DNP in Midwifery. No boards yet because paperwork hold up mentioned in OP.

Specializes in critical care, Med-Surg.

Jamie,

I want to elaborate on how the volunteering I did at Hospice served me more than I could have imagined. I did it primarily to get out of the house and save my sanity, but it did SO much more than that. And I realize that the thought of volunteering when you are desperate for money seems like just too much, so that's why I'm elaborating. Another poster said it well with "so many doors opened".

First, I had a VERY interesting orientation on a Saturday. We were spoken to by pastoral care, social workers, and NURSES. I learned a LOT about hospice.

Secondly, the job I applied to requested 5 references, but would accept four. So I uses the Volunteer Coordinator as a reference. Of course, she could not speak to my nursing abilities or qualifications, but she was only too glad to speak about my dependability, communication skills, service oriented personality, etc. She became a very encouraging friend. And I know right now you can use lots of those! And references! And nursing contacts!

My last point: when I was having telephone interview by HR, she asked me "Is this your current position?" when I was speaking about a past position. (She obviously was not looking at my resume.) I replied, "No, I currently SEEKING work, but at the Hospice where I volunteer..." She interrupted me, asking "Oh, you volunteer?" I could hear her typing that in at her keyboard. So I am certain that scored some points. For some reason something is preventing me from starting a new paragraph, but I am completely sympathetic to your frustration re: custody and relocation. I am in exact same situation. But you are fortunate to be in a large metropolitan area! You must realize that you WILL find a position. It may not be your first choice, and it may take a little creative thinking outside the box, but it will happen.

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