Applying for RN Jobs. 3 yrs post grad

Nurses Career Support

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Hello!!

I graduated with my BSN in 2015. After failing boards 5x I finally passed on my 6th attempt this past August. It was a hard journey but I am proud what those failures have helped me to become.

I am interesting in hearing from people who have also had failed multiple times or had a substantial time period between graduation-passing and how that affected you applying to positions

Did it take a long time?

Were you denied more often?

What extra steps if any did you take to make yourself more appealing/marketable ?

If offered an interview did u feel the need to disclose any information pertaining to you failing?

Did you have to take other positions ie. nursing home etc to gain experience before going to a major hospital?

I know personally as I stated Im not ashamed of my failures Ive embraced them. But for people who have never failed or struggled in that sense it can be seen as a sign of weakness or lack of knowledge. Just want to hear from those who have been through it.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

You will ignite a firestorm with your 'lower position' comment. Please reconsider your views on acceptable work environment.

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That was not meant in that sense, but thank you.

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That was not meant in that sense, but thank you.

Location is going to be a huge factor in most (if not all) of these questions ...just something to take into consideration. If you're in an employee's market, you have a huge advantage.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

I didn't get my first job until about 18 months after I graduated. Various reasons including a move and serious illness. But, many hospitals only hire "new grads" within a year of graduation. Employers may overlook the graduation vs license time, but you will need to find ways to put a positive spin on it. You may have a hard time with getting a hospital job, but that is only one area of nursing.

There are clinics, psych, nursing homes, group homes, prisons, etc. There are areas with a great need for nurses, but you may have to travel to them. I'll be honest, failing your boards 5 times doesn't make a good impression, and new nursing positions can be hard to come by and very stressful. People that are fresh graduates often have a hard time with their first Nursing Jobs, and you are currently 3 years out of school. I've heard of some nurses going through a refresher course, and that may benefit you in the Job Search. (I don't know much about them, but people mention them).

You also need to think about what kind of nursing you want to do. What interested you in nursing. If you look under the "Specialties" section of this board, you can see a wide variety of specialties. Depending on what you want in the end, may help you figure out where to start...

You can try to volunteer. Try to become employed if you're not already (in any type of job, healthcare is beneficial), I think employed people have better chances, maybe seem less "desperate" at interviews, or at least appear more employable. Make sure your CPR is up to date. Get ACLS or PALS or some extra learning in areas you're interested in.

But, getting your first nursing job takes a long time for many people. Even up to a year. If you want hospital, you may need to move to find them. Apply to whatever you can, and get your first job with some experience. 6 months -2 years and you can move on from there. But, yeah, it will most likely be harder for you than fresh new grads, and it's not always easy for them. Go to Open Houses. See if your school can help you (with info about job fairs).

Don't lie. You don't need to offer that you failed 5 times, but don't deny it if they ask.

Good luck!

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