Any new Jacksonville BSNs finding jobs?

[JaxNewGrad]

I graduated in September '08 magna cum laude from Jacksonville University, and I can't even get an interview. I've applied to two new grad RN programs and was told there were "more qualified" candidates. It was explained to me that since I have no experience in healthcare (I was never a patient care tech, a monitor tech, or a unit secretary) that I'm less qualified than those who've worked for the hospitals.

I'm beginning to wonder if it's age discrimination. I'm in my mid-40's and I had a 20 year career in another field before I became a nurse. Our entire department was laid off right before I finished school ... I was working nights the entire time I went to nursing school.

I feel like I've made a very big, very expensive mistake. Just wondering if any other new BSNs are in the same boat?

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

Its not like that just for you. I've met alot of BSN and ADN nurses that just can't find a job. I had to talk with the manager for the position I got and all the new new gns that I have spoken to have pretty much told me the same thing. You have to be persistant and patient. Actually I got turned down to a couple positions because I didn't have my BSN. We just finished school at the wrong time it seems.

[Elbajista]

I have had the same problems finding a job in this area, and had to resort to areas of nursing I wasn't really interested in. Try homehealth, LTC, etc. I work for a home health agency right now, and whereas I love the work and the people, it's nothing longterm by any means. Employers are really taking advantage of this recession and the high demand/low supply of jobs by offering pitifully low wages. However, I'll take something over nothing.