Almost one year out....vent warning

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

i just realized that it's march 2nd. last year at this time i was preparing for my senior practicum and trying to figure out what exactly i wanted to do as an rn. i figured it out before i graduated, but alas can't get a job in it.

it's been almost a year since i graduated and still no job. i just had a whirlwind marathon of interviews last week, so there is hope. i just never imagined that i would be sitting here a year later with nothing to show for all that hard work. my state is one of those that literally requires you to get a job before you can even get your permanent license. it took 4 months, but i got what i thought was my dream job. it didn't turn out that way. the only good thing was i had the hours required to get my permanent license after taking and passing boards. once i had my license, i once again figured it wouldn't take so long to find a job. again i was very wrong. every position i've applied to that didn't expressly say new grad i've been denied even an interview. even those that say new grad i haven't been lucky at since i am competing with every other new grad in any given state.

the longer i'm out, i'm afraid the harder it will be to get hired. once i get to that exact one year out, won't nurse recruiters and managers look at me like i have absolutely no skills? nothing is fresh anymore...nothing. now i'm competing for meager pickings with december grads, and now may 2009 grads. its frustrating and demoralizing to know that everything you've worked for hinges on whether or not you have that "perfect" resume and job history. well guess what, i don't. i made mistakes jobwise as an lpn, i've learned from them. i've learned that even if i have a fever, can't breath from all the coughing to come in to work. i've learned that talking to fellow nurses about anything other than work is a serious no-no, what you say will be used against you. i've learned to be very particular in where i work. i've also learned that i get bored easily. i've also learned not to trust anyone but myself, including your preceptor. they are there to train you, not be your friend.

it's nice to finally have possible job nibbles, i just wish it had been in my state. i've pretty much given up finding a job anywhere in my home state. i go on careerbuilder and see the same hospital with well over 70 rn positions open, go to another hospital and see 30 positions, and on, and on...but all want experienced. i apply anyway. its frustrating to hear about classmates who had no prior healthcare experience getting jobs, when i who have 13 years of it can't. yeah, my resume looks awful i admit it. like i said, i've learned from the mistakes i've made...and there were many. give me a freakin chance....

when are hospitals going to realize they are only shortchanging themselves by not hiring those willing to work. and, in this state they are literally keeping new grads from getting licensed. frankly i don't think there is enough ltc facilities to handle all the new rn grads out here. plus, they aren't likely to hire someone they know will leave as soon as they have their hours.

i am glad i found a few places that are at the very least new grad friendly. i swear i've put in well over 400 applications since this time last year, the bulk of which from october to present. heck, it might be more than that at this point. i've revamped my resume at least 12 times since august.

the good news is i liked both of the hospitals i interviewed with last week. i went prepared with a rather large list of questions i wanted specifically answered. i wanted to know how they would handle the situation i had as an rna. i wanted to make darn sure that if i was deemed "not a good fit" that i wouldn't be thrown out to the wolves so to speak and left jobless.

so my first year really hasn't been all that good. granted if you want to be technical, my first year as a licensed rn won't be until october. if i am still unemployed at that point i don't know what i'll do

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

Now, I think I've heard just about everything. I applied to one place last night, received a call from the nurse recruiter this morning. She then told me that they would not go ahead with an interview with me because.....wait for it....I don't have any RN experience since working as an RNA. They said reapply when I have a year's experience. Apparently with my employment background they feel better hiring new grads with no experience what so ever. Oh well, their loss not mine.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

AW I am sorry to hear that. It's hard out there right now for everyone but I think maybe you should try to find a way to talk to managers. That is what I did. Took months to find something and took various phone calls and actually going to the floor but I got it. I wish you the best of luck. It sounds to me like you need a hug! :icon_hug:

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I finally do have an offer, which is good. Thanks for the hug, it was greatly appreciated

[flyakite80]

I'm glad to see you have an offer, good luck!!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Yes, good luck to you ....

[PeaceonearthRN]

Go WILDCAT GO!!

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I got the job. It was offered, and I accepted, Wheeeeee!!!!

[nurse1717]

Allelluja!!! Congrats WildcatFanRN!!! Best of luck on your new job!! Life is good! :wink2:

[newgrad82]

WildcatFanRN- CONGRATS!! I graduated last September (08) and still don't have a job. Your story, and triumph, gives me the strength to go on!

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I had to be willing to relocate, but it is definately nice to be able to finally say I have a job....even if I don't start for 2 months.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

:dncgbby:

CONGRATS!! A job is a job! YAY! Enjoy these two months for they will fly by quickly.