All the degrees, no job

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I graduated with my FNP and DNP in 2015 and am still looking for a job. I am in a city where there are many nursing schools and therefore I am thinking that the market is just completely saturated. I have been a nurse for 14 years and have worked ICU for 12 and ER for the last 2.5 years. Thank goodness this is steady work. Ive gotten my certification and my COA and CTP-E from the Board of Nursing. I have applied to at least 5-10 jobs a week and cannot even get a call back from places. I wanted to apply for NP jobs where I can eventually lead me into utilization of my DNP.At this point I will take just about anything. I am considering applying for a retail clinic job just to get some experience under my belt? I cannot believe how well these clinics pay and it seems like way less stress than any other job for a new grad............Any thoughts???

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Welcome to AN! I see you just joined and this is your first post. As a new grad FNP, I would suggest that minute clinic/urgent care jobs not be your first job. You really need to get experience in primary care IMO before you work urgent care. Urgent care can be fast paced, and a variety of conditions can present. I am not familiar with COA? And CTP-E? What are you referring to? I am also not sure what or how your DNP degree can be utilized in primary care, perhaps in academia it can be. For NPs there is about a 2 year learning curve in primary/family practice. You may have to relocate.

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You could check out the HRSA website. If you're willing to relocate, they often have job opportunities in underserved areas. The pay isn't always great, but working in these areas often make you eligible for student loan repayment assistance.

You could also try reaching out to former preceptors and your local/state NP organizations.

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

How do you expect to use your DNP?

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Locum tenens-- I have heard of new np's finding jobs with supervision. The urgent care-you would be getting experience and keeping your skills up though as noted above it could be fast paced

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Thank you for your comments. I have been an ER nurse in a level I trauma for a while now, as a result fast pace doesn't scare me at all. I will keep looking and the right opportunity will present with diligence on my part.

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

Why'd you skip my question?

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you will probably have to move, or stay working as a nurse. over saturation usually kills job prospects regardless of the degree. My old college had a guy with a phd in literature from Harvard working there. I made more than he did in 6 months than he did in a year.

What do you have to offer the people that want to make money= the only thing that matters in getting a job. I guess personalability does too.

Academia lol

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Specializes in CEN, SCRN.

I've worked with a couple people who thought that by attaining every degree and certification under the sun would therefore qualify them by default to a ton of quick career ladder jumps. Alphabet soup at the end of your name doesn't make you a better applicant.

My point is that having multiple degrees and certifications won't get you in the door. There may be something in your applications or resume that is turning people off.

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

Volunteer at a charity clinic that'll cover your malpractice. This way you can say you're a working (experienced) NP.

Just saw I replied on this thread last month. My bad.

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Man that sucks when somebody chases a doctoral degree to just have to settle for charity work only without a paying job.

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Specializes in psychiatric nursing.

The DNP is not a valued degree. I'm in a DNP program and I'm going to drop it because it doesn't make financial sense to continue at this point.

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