BSN failed NCLEX twice, what jobs are in demand?

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OK please don't give any studying advice. I took the NCLEX twice. I failed twice at 75 Q. I did all of Kaplan, every inch of and started repeating the Q Bank. I did Hurst. Started with it online and then did the live version but I don't like how they dumb everything down. After watching all the videos 5 times I was done. I did ATI questions. I did a 2 month prep course for people that have been out of school for a while. We had 5 hours of homework every night for 2 months. And I used a bunch of different resources.

I graduated with a 3.87 GPA in my BSN. But I am DONE with NCLEX for a while. I don't want to talk about NCLEX.

I went to nursing school so that I could work in a medi spa. I also wanted to do Doctors without Borders.

So I have to find a job. I am going all these different directions. I had a Cosmetology license from before my first Bachelors so I thought I'll work as an esthetician and then start studying NCLEX again. When I pass I can migrate from doing facials to doing injections and laser. Well I took a couple advanced classes and I started interning at the place I get my facials. She works alone so she can't hire me. So I have been applying for esthetician jobs for a month and not a single bite. Not a call, email, nothing.

So now I am leaning back towards the medical field again but what can I do besides being a CNA. And even that requires flying to LA to challenge an exam. But I do not want to work in a CNA capacity. I will end up strangling myself within a week.

I can do a phlebotomy course or an EMT course because they are short BUT could I get hired for either of those? I totally see myself being an EMT. I know the pay is crap but I would be working in the medical field and then I could start studying again.

However, I don't want to waste time and money if I won't be able to get a job. And like everything it seems every single job wants experience before they will hire you.

I am at my wits end and I really don't know what to do. I feel like crawling under a rock. I am feeling like an unproductive member of society.

But please if anyone has suggestions of what type of jobs are in demand that I could do without going back to school for longer then a month please assist. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area so there are tons of two week classes for both EMT and phlebotomy but could I get a job?

Other jobs that I am missing? Ideas of job titles I can search in Indeed? I want to find a job that will allow a candidate who does not have experience and jobs in demand. Please...

Actually you might not be in too bad of shape...I often regret passing the NCLEX actually...once you pass you're unable to work as an aide anymore (there are TONs of jobs for aides and not many jobs out here for recent graduates). I was a therapy aide for 4 years or so prior to nursing school....it was a good experience for me. I was able to be in the medical field, helped people with their exercises, cleaned equipment instead of peoples bottoms etc. It was hard work but fun at the same time. I think someone posted about a tech (like an ekg tech) that's also a position that seems to be in need and if you would have passed the NCLEX you could not apply. Honestly this might be a blessing for you...I passed the nclex the first time...graduated with honors... but the job market is rough right now for new nurses (grass is not greener) and once you pass that NCLEX you're then overqualified for jobs that are in real need and that still make a meaningful difference in other people's lives!

This was helpful. You tried to answer the question rather then giving me studying advice. t does seem like an EKG tech is another certification but it is a quick one. I am researching various options right now. I may do an EMT course.

I know a lot of people going through the same thing. I had a lot of friends that had to move out of CA to find their first job. Or friends that had to move to LA for a year and now are back in SF.

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This was helpful. You tried to answer the question rather then giving me studying advice. t does seem like an EKG tech is another certification but it is a quick one. I am researching various options right now. I may do an EMT course.

I know a lot of people going through the same thing. I had a lot of friends that had to move out of CA to find their first job. Or friends that had to move to LA for a year and now are back in SF.

Hello I tried sending you a pm but its says ur inbox is full. :)

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Hello I tried sending you a pm but its says ur inbox is full. :)

Sorry the mail box is so small and I am a packrat so I keep some messages to refer back to. I deleted 2 so there should be room now. Sorry! :-)

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.
My question is what can I do to earn money in health care NOT having NCLEX. Again I reiterate I do not want to talk about the NCLEX. I need to find a job.

If earning money/having a job is THAT important, why in the world would you spend even more time and money to train in a different capacity than a nurse when you already have the training as a nurse? And even after you finish whatever you decide to do, you'd still need to find a new grad job in that capacity. So instead of spending time looking for a new grad RN job, you would have spent more time training and looking for a job in something below what you're trained to do.

I agree with other posters in that passing NCLEX should be your priority right now. You're just sweeping the problem under the rug otherwise, and wasting even more money and time in the meantime because you're refusing to address the real problem. If money is the biggest issue, then find some retail job to hold you over until you can get that license. If being in the medical field is the big issue, then buckle down and deal with NCLEX, you'd just be wasting more time and money otherwise.

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My question is what can I do to earn money in health care NOT having NCLEX. Again I reiterate I do not want to talk about the NCLEX.

Again for the 3rd time I am asking about health care related jobs that are possible after studying nursing.

If people are going to lecture me on what I should and should not be doing then do not bother to respond.

I would like an answer to my questions and not the opinions of what people THINK I should be doing. I don't care what you guys think I should be doing. I am currently looking for a health care related job not requiring more education.

I am not asking about the NCLEX and specifically mentioned I don't want to discuss the NCLEX.

If you can't answer the question then leave it at that rather then nagging me like you are my mother.

Thanks to those of you that have been helpful. I do appreciate it.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

It sounds like what you want to hear is "with your training and education, you can get a job as a ________ ". Unfortunately, with nursing, it's not that easy. I've been there, many years ago, when I didn't pass NCLEX on the first try. Unless your program gave you specific certifications (like CNA), you're not technically considered "qualified" for any ancillary positions. One of the reasons being that all programs are different in what skills they require of their students (I.e., in my program we did not learn blood draws or venipuncture, so I was definitely not going to get hired to do that). After hitting many dead ends, I finally found work as a home attendant (through my fiends mother, who managed the agency). Even with that, I had to sit through a class (apparently passing nursing school wasn't enough to say I knew how to bathe and transfer patients).

Since I don't live in CA, I wouldn't pretend to advise you on what you can and can't do with your current skills set. I am generalizing based on what i went through, and what my graduates are currently going through. But I do live in another major city, and I know that RNs who have passed NLCEX are struggling to find work, so I would imagine that someone in your shoes in my area would struggle even more.

Regarding EMT, you have to be certified (at least where I am, you have to). nursing school training/experience is not transferable.

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It sounds like what you want to hear is "with your training and education, you can get a job as a ________ ". Unfortunately, with nursing, it's not that easy. I've been there, many years ago, when I didn't pass NCLEX on the first try. Unless your program gave you specific certifications (like CNA), you're not technically considered "qualified" for any ancillary positions. One of the reasons being that all programs are different in what skills they require of their students (I.e., in my program we did not learn blood draws or venipuncture, so I was definitely not going to get hired to do that). After hitting many dead ends, I finally found work as a home attendant (through my fiends mother, who managed the agency). Even with that, I had to sit through a class (apparently passing nursing school wasn't enough to say I knew how to bathe and transfer patients).

Since I don't live in CA, I wouldn't pretend to advise you on what you can and can't do with your current skills set. I am generalizing based on what i went through, and what my graduates are currently going through. But I do live in another major city, and I know that RNs who have passed NLCEX are struggling to find work, so I would imagine that someone in your shoes in my area would struggle even more.

Regarding EMT, you have to be certified (at least where I am, you have to). nursing school training/experience is not transferable.

Thanks ProfRN4. I have pretty much figured out that no matter what you do that is medical related you need to get a license or certificate for that specific job. I had no clue it was like this.

I know the EMT is another course and I actually decided to start a program. It is a 7 week boot camp from a very repuatable organization. Our professor used to be on the board for the NREMT (the EMT version of the NCLEX) and he wrote some of the questions. I went to such a crappy nursing school that I want to make sure this school is top notch.

I have been doing research and it appears very easy to get an EMT job with no experience. I know the pay is awful but I will be working in medical and then I can start studying for NCLEX again. I am excited to start the program.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Again for the 3rd time I am asking about health care related jobs that are possible after studying nursing.

If people are going to lecture me on what I should and should not be doing then do not bother to respond.

I would like an answer to my questions and not the opinions of what people THINK I should be doing. I don't care what you guys think I should be doing. I am currently looking for a health care related job not requiring more education.

I am not asking about the NCLEX and specifically mentioned I don't want to discuss the NCLEX.

If you can't answer the question then leave it at that rather then nagging me like you are my mother.

Thanks to those of you that have been helpful. I do appreciate it.

It is clear that you are frustrated but the clear answer is...there are none. You might see about CNA....some states will let you test without going to an actual CNA school...they count you nursing. You might see about passing NCLEX LPN/vocational nurse....I know some IEN's have done this. EMT is a good idea....some hospitals will hire EMT's in their emergency departments ar a ED tech.

I wish you the best.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Hey there Yogi! I just ran across your post and I'm sorry to hear about your NCLEX trouble. Since you're looking for feedback, I think you're on the right track with an EMT program. I would strongly suggest that you try and get a job in a hospital versus working for a transport or ambulance service. You will be studying for your NCLEX every day you are at work. You will be around people using the medications and seeing patients with all the conditions you will face on the test. With the amount of review you have done, and knowing that you made it through nursing school, I would guess that you need some context to put all of that information into. Working with and around nurses is probably just what you need. That contextual use of the information you already have just might put you over the edge (in a good way) and allow the questions on the NCLEX to make more sense instead of being vague and conceptual. I am currently working in the ED and I know that our techs (they are all EMT's and medics, not CNA's) are awesome and such an important part of the team.

Plus, once you do pass the boards an RN job from a hospital that already knows you and has seen you perform well as an EMT will be all that much easier to land. Good luck with the current job hunt and EMT class.

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@worldtravelingyogi

Where did u go to school? I'm in SF too applying to schools and to be honest I want to stay away from where you went. Sorry for your situation

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Specializes in Emergency.

The school was not in the US, it was in Puerto Rico. To be fair, a lot of people who went there passed the NCLEX with no problems, myself included.

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JMO - you sure argue a lot for someone asking for advice. Take peoples input at face value and if they say something you don't like, don't be snotty, just scroll on. Good Luck, as a bay area resident for my whole life - jobs as a new RN are hard to find as it is and job.s in general are tight

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