An RN who took up CNA , PCT and PharmaTech program without a job. :(

[Kristy13RN]

I am a 24 year old foreign BSN graduate(year 2009). When I moved here in the US, I had trouble finding a job at the hospital or facilities. So I took up CNA program and started working at a home Health Agency. I regret not taking the ARC certification exam after completing the course. I just thought that it would be better for me to take the NCLEX first. So I did and I passed. Unfortunately, I still had trouble getting an RN position for a reason that I took the exam for California and not the Hawaii exam. I, however, applied for my reciprocity and finally got my Hawaii license after a year for some reason. I had applied almost all the hospitals and LTCs I know but I did not have any luck getting the position because I do not have experience working in a hospital or any long term care facilities. I mean, how am I going to gain an experience if no employer would want to give someone like me a chance to have one, right?, I do understand it's for patient's safety and some liabilities if they hire an inexperience employee but I just wish there is some type of training or refresher course they offer. I did not give up and still hoped I could get a job into a place where I can actually feel like a nurse, where I can learn everyday. Working at a home based is a great experience but I really prefer to work in a fast paced environment, where I can really learn new skills everyday.

Anyway, I took up another class, PCT. They teach a more advance skills than CNA course, I took that up for a reason that it has been 2 years since I have been away from nursing school and I wanted to refresh my clinical skills about some basic procedures. I even took Pharmacy Tech course online and now I am planning to take the board exam to be a CPht. Maybe it will serve as my stepping stone to work in those facilities I have always wanted to work to. Hopefully.

Now I moved to Fort Knox, KY and is now unemployed. I tried to apply as a Nurse Aide to a rehabilitation center and some hospitals and clinic near me but they want me to take the CNA certification exam before they can hire me. Now I'm in big trouble because I have taken my CNA class last 2009 and I am sure that KY BON will tell me to take the class again to get certified. Yey! another money wasted. But I guess if that is what I need to do to get a job then I have to take it.

I am so confused and frustrated on what I want to do. Anybody here in my situation or it's just me?, Are there any refresher course for someone like me?. If only I could go back to nursing school for 4 years again, I would. Here in the US this time and of course if I have the money for it... ugh... I need suggestions, advice or some motivation.

I have always been a dedicated and ambitious student nurse. I still have that fighting spirit that someday there is still hope.

[chanela, ADN, RN]

hi, im just wondering if you can still go back to hawaii or you'll be staying there in NY for good? coz if you already have an RN license there are so many jobs here in hawaii that you can apply. unlike me, i still don't have a license, though i took the NCLEX-RN last march 15 (BON CALIFORNIA) but still waiting for the letter coz i think i failed again.