Advice? Experienced BSN ER nurse can't find a job!

wyogypsy, RN · May 18, 2011

Well I had to look for myself! I can't believe the lack of ER jobs available in CT! I searched both CT websites and travel websites! Have you tried the Urgent or Insta Care facilities? If you can travel you are in high demand, if not - keep looking! Best of luck..............

RN06053 · May 18, 2011

I was working with a travel agency, can't go too far but every opportunity within 50 miles required previous travel experience. I have interviewed with 2 community based clinics and both went with other applicants, possibly they preferred to hire an LPN, in one interview they even said as an ER nurse they worried that I might become bored.

sourapril · May 18, 2011

It just isn't the same as before. I have a friend who has 4 years of nursing under her belt, got an MPH, tried to find a job but it took her 4 months and hundreds of applications. Be patients and persistent.

I have been an ER nurse in CT for 3 years and had to leave in January for a family emergency, I have my BSN with ER experienced and even 6 years of CNA before that, I thought it would be easy to find another job even if it was outside the ER, but after about 30 applications several interviews it seems I can't find a job anywhere! ERs dont seem to have openings, agencys have nothing, I don't have the right experience to compete for positions outside hospitals, and the hospitals just haven't replied to my applications for other areas! ANY SUGGESTIONS?

nursgirl · May 19, 2011

move to southern CA.. plenty of jobs for EXPERIENCED ER nurses!

EmergencyNrse · May 19, 2011

+1

Come out to Cali! You can't sling a dead-cat anywhere without landing another ER position. They're everywhere!

(Pay doesn't suck either...)

NurseMaryB · May 19, 2011

Not to be rude, but whats your age? Just wondering because I live in GA and even though it's against the law...discrimination against ppl >50 had been noted, even with tons of experience. Nurses older than 50 are afraid to leave their current crappy jobs for fear of not getting another job, it's sad. And, like I've read many times call back and follow up after turning in applications. As they say, "the squeaky wheel always gets the oiling". Good luck!

NurseBunnie · May 19, 2011

I am in a similar boat and beginning to question why I believed all the "nursing shortage" information. I just completed my BSN and have been applying at hospitals left and right but unfortunately my only experience is as a complex care private duty nurse for the last 3 years. To almost every place my experience doesn't mean anything to them. I can't even get my foot in the door. I get met with "you need x amount years of clinical experience" as a qualification. Well, I ask you, how do I get this experience if I can't even get hired?? Sadly, I am now at risk of losing my home, filing for bankruptcy, etc. and all this with a surprise pregnancy to boot. I actually filled out an application at Walmart today. How pathetic is that? All that money spent on an education that I can't even get a chance to use.

RN06053 · May 19, 2011

To the Cali folks, I really wish I could move at this point but owning a house and everything just can't do it.

At Mary B, I am actually a male nurse and going on 26 next month, with the positions that I have applied for or even interviewed I think I might be on the opposite edge of the spectrum, although I am dedicated and professional, I think compared with older more experienced applicants, they may take me as young, not serious enough, or even just not fitting the profile.

At NurseBunnie, Ive heard how rough it is as a new grad, when I was out of school I had 2 ER offers, I am not sure where you live but in a densely populated state like CT there are tons of facilities, if you are thinking about Walmart then why don't you apply at all the nursing homes in the area or VNA or Hospice maybe, here there are tons of openings but those are areas that I haven't wanted to do but as a BSN new grad, they should take you!

I think I agree with SourApril, I will just stick it out and keep on trying to get what I want, places sometimes do take 2 months to respond to a resume. At worst if nothing comes up shortly I can always try for a new hospital area or even nursing homes.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · May 20, 2011

Can you have a friend do a mock interview with you to evaluate your interviewing skills? Maybe you're not selling yourself for the positions as best you can.

brillohead, ADN, RN · May 28, 2011

The "nursing shortage" is very much a regional thing. In my area, a magnet hospital (that has been named a "top 100 places to work" for several years) just hired four ADN new-grads. Jobs are out there, but just not in every geographical region, unfortunately.

catlover89 · Mar 2, 2012

I have been an RN for 15 years and am about to turn 50, I had a new manager accuse me of patient abuse at a job I had worked at for 3 years, I was traumatized and resigned. My husband killed himself because he was having problems at work and I think that affected my decision. (I would never abuse, turned out over a patient being constipated!) This manager was evil, long story...

This was 14 months ago and I have been working registry and just got my BSN. I do med/surg and telemetry. Okay, its only been a month and I have had 2 interviews, but I am severely depressed and I am beating myself up over quiting that job, but no use looking backwards. I applied at a hospital I work at registry and they rejected my application, I think because I have too much experience. I have never in my life had a problem getting jobs and 3 years ago, RN's had their choice of jobs. It is a harsh reality. I don't have a problem interviewing, both acted like they wanted to hire me, but no calls yet.. Who knows what they think. I haven't applied at the crappy hospitals, I want a position I can stay at until I retire. I have started on MSN, MHA but I dont know if it will help in the future, hopefully, funny when I was having the problem, no one told me "dont quit your job' except my mom, and who listens to their mother?

I am a single parent, my husband died when my daughter was young, so I am the only breadwinner. just venting.