Sorry Nurse Recruiters/Nurse Managers!

*4!#6 · Apr 17, 2012

I'm sorry but we all have our own struggles. I had 3 jobs during nursing school, one of which was a tech were I was worked to the bone. Nobody will pity you or feel bad for you. This world is a harsh place. We have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and keep striving to do our best. Don't be sorry for yourself, be proud of your accomplishments. I know you're just venting but that kind of attitude is why people think that new nurses nowadays are selfish and expect to be handed everything on a silver platter.

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · Apr 17, 2012

You have got to be kidding me? no on second thought your right, my friend recently obtained her RN degree after being an LPN for years and was told the same exact thing!! this is crazy... i need CNA experience and your LPN NURSE experience means nothing... unreal

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 17, 2012

I'm sorry you dont stand out enough to them to warrant getting an offer.

Sure you had it hard through nursing school. I can show you half my class with the exact same story as you. So what makes you a special flower in the garden?

Answer that question and you might get hired somewhere

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · Apr 17, 2012

Thatguy: I didnt say I was special, I said I worked hard to get through school with real responsibilities, (as many others have).. But if you have any suggestions to help us new grads, career changes stand out, I am all ears!!

allnurses Guide · Apr 17, 2012

How though do you know your rejections are due to no CNA experience and not merely due to a huge glut of people applying, many of whom are just as qualified as you? Are you getting interviews? Are you just assuming you are being passed over due to no CNA experience? I only ask because I know PLENTY of people who have CNA experience and were passed over by their own hospitals.

I hear your frustration loud and clear. Right now it is not as much about grades, CNA experience or anything else. It is all about who you know. People without connections arent' getting hired as easily.

I hope you find something soon.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 17, 2012

first of all, congratulations! on becoming a nurse. needless to say, you don't have to be sorry for all that you stated on your post, on the contrary you should be proud that you accomplished the goal you sought after. having said that, trust me i understand that in the real world, one gets so many shut doors and excuses for not getting hired that it's easy to get discourage. however, don't let that become an obstacle in obtaining the job that is out there with your name on it. furthermore, i can relate somewhat to your dilemma when i came to the states many years ago. consequently, i was told by countless nursing recruiters that just because i had a rn, bsn, msn under my belt in my native country of madrid, spain, it didn't mean anything to them without usa patient care experience. unquestionably, don't forget to offer to shadow a nurse or volunteer to any facility, this will give exposure to any future employer. lastly, maintaining focus on your goal on turbulent times inevitably, will impact the outcome on your efforts. wishing you the very best on all of your future endeavors...aloha~

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · Apr 17, 2012

I was told that by a Nurse Recruiter... Well I dont have connections, so I guess Ill be out of this loop for awhile!

tewdles, RN · Apr 17, 2012

Or you could move to a place that has trouble finding nurses?

AMN74 · Apr 17, 2012

I am a RN, BSN with nearly 25 years of experience and I am in the midst of interviewing for other jobs. I have been at my current job for more than 15 years. When I interviewed with a recruiter over the telephone yesterday she asked me if I had this certificate or that certificate. I told her, "No, but I have 25 years worth of employee evaluations that are above average and/or exceptional, and I have countless patients that will tell you that I strive every day to provide excellent customer care." She said, "Wow, I've never heard that before." I don't know if it will land me the job, (I already have another tentative job lined up). I guess what I'm saying is that when you talk to Nurse Managers or Recruiters, let them know your strong points. You may not have nursing experience, but you have maintained a great GPA while attending nursing school and raising a family, and throw yourself out there and let them know where you feel you can excel. This sometimes will be enough to get your foot in the door. Good Luck to you!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 17, 2012

To the OP, I do wish you well in your search, and I believe in time you'll find something. But there's something you really do have to realize, and it's been said here a variety of ways, although I'll throw my hat in and try another way :)

For every RN job opening, there's going to be quite alot of interested applicants. Those with the most experience, best attitude in interviews, most impressive resumes and credentials are most likely to land that job. This, we all know.

So when you present with good character references, a degree and a license, you are interesting enough to the recruiter to want to look further, but that's about it. After that, all things being equal (meaning, the other applicants also have good character references, a degree and a license), the ones who have better resumes, more experience are going to get that job before you do.

It's frustrating, because you made some very valid choices when going through nursing school, ones that you felt were the best fit for yourself and your family, no doubt. But you do have to understand the the Nurse Manager/Recruiter is looking at a STACK of people, all of whom made choices, and some of those choices are more attractive to the recruiter.

It's not that they can't see your 3.0 GPA, it's that it really doesn't matter. Truly. It's not that they can't see how hard you studied for your NCLEX, it honestly truly does not matter--75 questions or 265 questions, they don't care. How long it took? They don't care. How well-liked you were in school? Again, as long as you have the requisite number of character references---they don't care.

In time, there will be a job opening that will allow you to get in and GET that all-important experience. But please don't think that those who do the hiring "can't see" how great you are, it's that the reality is there's ALOT of great nurses who are bringing just a bit more to the table than you.

Best of luck.

wooh, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2012

thanks all: purplescrubs of course I realize that. i dont think there is anything wrong with my life choices. I am an adult changing careers...Not particularly unheard of is it? ...just feel a little frustrated with the consistent rejections based on not being a CNA..... and yes i did hope to get a JOB after completing school, not really a far-fetched idea in my opinion...

Not far-fetched, but in this economy where experienced nurses can't get jobs, you can't expect it to be quick or easy. Your life didn't allow you to take a low paying job that would get you in the door? That's not the fault of those that DID take a low paying job to get their foot in the door, and it's perfectly fair that they get chosen over you. Changing careers out of nursing, and I'll be competing with kids living with their parents that can afford to take an unpaid internship somewhere. So I either find a way to do the same, or I have to find something else to make myself stand out.

netglow, ASN, RN · Apr 17, 2012

I think I hear that buzzing of flies you hear around those who seem to to have given up and wear their abusive work past on their chest like a badge of honor. You should be ashamed of taking crap for that long, actually.

OP, it might be that you don't look/act like a total loser. I am serious when I say that. If you appear intelligent, and with self-esteem intact, you probably aren't looking that great in their eyes. You've been successful. That is bad news for you.

I've been told that I'd be bored (after my resume was reviewed) YES, this was as a new grad. I have a friend that was told, "You're never gonna stay here" by a DON during an interview.

I know experienced nurses that dumb down their resumes to be considered (take off your certifications and acknowledgements of work well done by employers). After doing this, they were hired. Being a mope during the interview might help. Look down at your hands and only speak if asked a question kind of thing...