Useless degree! At what point do you quit trying?

Nurses Job Hunt

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I have my BSN, passed my NCLEX and haven't found a job in 2 years.

Not through lack of effort mind you, but i live in Philadelphia, where the job market is basically nil for new grads. I applied to absolutely everywhere including Nurse Residency programs, and i get rejected all the time.

There is absolutely no way i can move my family to another part of the country.

I would like to have a career in nursing, but at this point, that dream seems all but impossible.

I have to do my education credits and renew my license, but there is a part of me that is legitimately wondering, why bother.

Someone said to me the other day, "a masters degree is the new BSN."

I told them that to spend another dime on a useless degree was completely out of the question.

Is a masters degree really an option is one still has no real experience other then clinicals?

So at what point do you give up and move on to other things?

I would think that the more time i spend out of school without a nursing job, the more i become unemployable, the longer i will go without a nursing job, till there is no chance for any opportunities.

I really hate being negative, but after 2 years, i am tired.

Tired of all the lies i heard in school, tired of never being given an opportunity, tired of spending money, and tired of wasting my time.

Has anyone else ever gotten a job after a few years of being shot down?

Has anyone else abandoned nursing altogether because of the job market?

Is Grad school the only option?

I live in the Philly area. I have been busting my butt to find a nursing job for a year. I have finally had to relocate. I just received a job offer in Hazleton, PA. I sent my application to them and I heard back in 1 day....

If you are looking for any type of nursing job to pay the bills while you continue to look for another job PM me I have some leads that might work.

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Specializes in surgical, post op care..

Casper, WY. Graduate Nurse Job opening 2-3 times a year. Surgical, PCU, Medical, Neuro to name a few. http://www.wmcnet.org

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Where are those places?

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I live in CT and have been finding the same issue here (the ones who call me back-seldom...usually get the denial e-mail- or I actually am able to speak to state "you need 1 year of experience" -one place said 6 months). I have crazy loans from getting my Associate Degree from a private school. I definitely want to go back for my Bachelors (NOT at the same school), but I find myself wondering, why? If I can't even find a position with my associates. I graduated in Sept 2010, RN licensed Nov 2010 and still everyday I'm trying and trying. I've done a lot of apps online, I've gone to LTC's in person, I talk to anyone I see wearing scrubs no matter where they are! I've attempted to contact students (most don't respond back). Worse part is, I worked at a hospital while attending school, gave up my more-paying-with-insurance-job to do so, and it blew up in my face because the nursing supervisor had no intention of hiring me, but wouldn't say it. So, here I sit, still jobless after 2 years and getting as frustrated as said OP. I got depressed for awhile, but now just laugh when I get a call or an e-mail stating they "have taken other candidates that more closely match the job descriptions. Good luck with your Job Search." (I realized I can't get bummed out or discouraged with all of the denials or I'll never get a job!)...I have gotten advice and new resume from career counselor at school. I've gone to CT works (state unemployment office) to have my resume looked at again. I've resent my resumes to places I've already applied at. I can't move, won't bother explaining, but yes, it is impossible for me to move at the current time, there is no "if there is a will, there is a way"...and at this point, I don't believe I'm considered a "new grad" any longer. I'm just an RN with no experience. The career counselor stated "It's slim if not impossible to find an RN position after a year from graduating, never mind 2 years. There was one other student that contacted him from my class with the same problem, but she recently found a position." He was able to tell me who, I tried, no response. I follow up with my apps and get no call backs, if I do reach someone, they state we do not do resume follow ups over the phone, check back online. I do not wish my circumstances on anyone, but I find comfort in knowing it isn't just me with this problem. Anyone with suggestions, I will gladly take...

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I live in CT and have been finding the same issue here (the ones who call me back-seldom...usually get the denial e-mail- or I actually am able to speak to state "you need 1 year of experience" -one place said 6 months). ...

Do you live in a part of CT where you could travel to a nearby state and find work?

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Where are those places?

If you were asking me send me a PM and I can send you what I have found.

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Casper, WY. Graduate Nurse Job opening 2-3 times a year. Surgical, PCU, Medical, Neuro to name a few. http://www.wmcnet.org
I lived in Casper for ten years. It had a...reputation...among RN's, if you catch my drift. That's been ten years ago. Perhaps the bureaucracy in charge at the time, has changed hands. I would certainly hope so.
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I wish I would have become a CNA, first. If you aren't "smooth" in clinical, the instructors won't recommend you to a hospital. Remember, many of your fellow students are actually medical professionals from abroad. Hospitals hate training new grads. They get their nurses from the Pacific Rim, where they train with 50 patients and patients are guinea pigs. You walk into nursing school at a great disadvantage.

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:unsure:
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Did the OP ever find a job?

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