Very discouraged

U.S.A. Tennessee

Published

I'm new to the Clarksville TN area and actually graduated form nursing school in NC (May)....passed the boards in NC (June) and then moved a few weeks later. I arrived here and started the process of switching my NC lic. and job hunting and I cannot believe how hard it has been. No one even looks at you unless you have at least 1yr experience. I applied to Gateway here in Clarksville, Northcrest in Springfield, Jeanie Stuart which is actually in KY and MANY doctors offices and surg care facilities. No one is calling. In fact....the doctors offices seem to prefer LPN and MA's. THAT was my prefered area to work in over hospital nursing. I only applied to the hospitals to try to get the experience everyone says you need as a new nurse and they will not hire unless I have experience. :bugeyes: I have a BS in education, and ADN and I am anchored to this area because of my husbands job and children. I just want a chance?? What else can you do besides walk in with your resume and apply online?? I do not know anyone in the hospitals here to call on to get a foot in the door......I just feel stuck! I had even gone so far as to look in to Vanderbilt's residency program, but that is over 45min away from my house and I missed the deadline for application. UGGGG! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am planning to have my resume reviewed to see if that is causing any possible issues...but what else is there??:idea: TIA!

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

So have you worked at all as a nurse? From your post I don't gather that you have, but I am just getting some clarification. :) I think what helped the majority of my class find jobs is because hospitals were coming to school looking for brand new grads. They were ready to put them through orientation and ready to take on nurses so new. The few that didn't take a job immediately after graduation and get in with that first orientation wave have had horrible times finding jobs and some still haven't!

I agree it seems silly to say "You need some experience." and yet noone will give you that experience. Perhaps hospitals will be taking new grads when the December graduation produces new nurses and you could get in then? I would call hospitals and ask about it. I know there are plenty of December grads, so one would think they'd do something similar to how they are with May grads.

Good luck!!

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Specializes in L&D, MedSurg.

Man your experience sounds just like mine. I happened to graduate in May also but took the summer off and missed the first wave of new grad programs. I have been looking for a RN position since August and without experience I wasn't having any luck. I was prepared to wait till the new grad programs start up again in December/Jan but need a job NOW. After applying for 36 jobs I luckily I just got a position last Friday. This has been a scary job hunting time and I'm so thankful it's over. Your only choice is to KEEP LOOKING. widen your circle: SNF, offices etc. But keep on going. You are a RN now and you're needed out there! good luck!

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Thanks for the encouragement....Glad to hear you found something.....I'm trying to keep my chin up and options open.....we shall see.

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Man your experience sounds just like mine. I happened to graduate in May also but took the summer off and missed the first wave of new grad programs. I have been looking for a RN position since August and without experience I wasn't having any luck. I was prepared to wait till the new grad programs start up again in December/Jan but need a job NOW. After applying for 36 jobs I luckily I just got a position last Friday. This has been a scary job hunting time and I'm so thankful it's over. Your only choice is to KEEP LOOKING. widen your circle: SNF, offices etc. But keep on going. You are a RN now and you're needed out there! good luck!

BTW....are you in the Clarksville area? did you end up at a hospital or in a clinic?

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Specializes in Geriatrics, med/surg, LTC surveyor.

I am in TN as well for now. I have good experiences and bad. It is harder to find a job here. They do not get in a hurry, at all. I am currently looking too so I wish you luck. Keep me posted.

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I am in TN as well for now. I have good experiences and bad. It is harder to find a job here. They do not get in a hurry, at all. I am currently looking too so I wish you luck. Keep me posted.

Nope....they do not.....I hope we can both post that times have changed very soon. Do you think it would benefit someone like me that has not worked as an RN (other than clinical) to volunteer at the hospital and get to know some of the staff....maybe get a foot in the back door??

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Specializes in ICU/PACU.

I did work with several people from Clarksville at . It's a great hospital if you are willing to make the long drive.

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Nope....they do not.....I hope we can both post that times have changed very soon. Do you think it would benefit someone like me that has not worked as an RN (other than clinical) to volunteer at the hospital and get to know some of the staff....maybe get a foot in the back door??

Have you tried the veterans medical center? Maybe they will consider you for an internship if not a job. Volunteering is also an option. I know it's frustrating. At this point in my career, no hospital wants to hire me for direct patient care either because I've been away from it so long. I've been turned down multiple times for direct bedside opportunities because I haven't done clinical work in so long. Best wishes. I hope you find a position soon.

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Maybe this can help. I became a medical assistant in 1999 and my husband's job moved us around a few times. But I learned this little trick and maybe it will help you (?) When going to a new area, I would pull out the phone book and just go down the list of docs offices. Call up and just ask for the fax number. Most don't give a hoo-ey about why you want it (most of the time they think it is for medical records request or something) then just fax you resume and cover letter to every possible place you can. Just my two cents...hope it helps or gives you some ideas. A lot of times on the interview I would get asked how I knew they were going to be looking for someone. They hadn't even put the ad in the paper yet......I didn't just took a chance.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, med/surg, LTC surveyor.

I hope that you have found a job by now. I have had trouble finding a job I like. I live in the Memphis area and nursing homes are my speciality. We are now moving to OK so I am in the process of looking for a job there. My husband has been unemployed for 6 months. I have seen though that alot of the hospitals here post jobs for new grads. I wish you the best. Have you tried Home health? They seem to always need someone. Let me know how you are doing.

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What type of work does your husband do? I live in S.E. Okla. and have been in LTC and Home Health for the past 14 years as an LPN and my husband is an LTC Administrator. Depending on where you move to I might be able to give you some contact names. Good luck and welcome to Oklahoma. By the way how long did it take to get your Oklahoma license?

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