BSN Grad - Venting, Frustrated with Job Search

nutella, MSN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

Hi everyone!
I just got my BSN in December. I've had my Associates in Nursing and license since 2014. During the time I was enrolled in my BSN program my job hunt began but I now see this has only exhausted me emotionally as hospitals didn't consider me a good candidate w/o my BSN. Technically now I'm viable to be hired and the search has just been exhausting me. I don't intend to move out of state (ny) so I don't know what else I can do. My goal is to become a psych/behavioral health nurse. I've been doing everything I can: recently attended a networking event, been trying to network with recruiters to no avail, am going to a staffing agency's career day, etc I'm just at my wits end at this point. I'm so depressed and frustrated, I have such a passion for psych (although I should note I have been applying to other areas) and I just don't get what else I can do. Am I far reaching by hoping a hospital will take me on? Even I've been trying to get into outpatient centers ... Any advice? Does a breakthrough eventually come?

At this point you really need to find something - a license since 2014 with no experience will it make harder to market you.

If you are limited to the state of NY do not exclude other options like nursing homes, long term acute care, visiting nurse (if they have a new graduate program). You really want to start working something - even though your goal is psychiatric nursing, oftentimes they still want to see nurses have at least some general nursing experience.

Also, have somebody look over your resume to see if there is something that can be done to make it "more visible". Write cover letters as well when you apply.

If you are bilingual for example, make sure it sticks out.

allnurses Guide · Mar 9, 2016

Without being willing to move there is not much you can do. New York is well known to be one of the tightest markets in the US. You might want to rethink moving.

Spuen · Mar 9, 2016

Some times moving is the only thing you can do even if its just for those first 2 years. Ive been job hunting for 3 years in Florida only people that will even look at me are out of state. I hsd 2 offers on in Texas and another up in Illinois where there is a shortage. And that was after only 2 weeks off looking out of state.

You may not even have to go far. Multiple people here have told me Pennsylvania needs nurses. And like I said it can be temporary. I wish you luck .

Lissla · Mar 9, 2016

Like nutella said, dont rule out nursing homes or long term care. I had too much competition from the recent graduating nurses to land a job at a hospital. I got tired of it and went for the jobs most nurses don't want.. It's not the ideal new grad position but it at least gives you nursing experience. Then in a couple months to a year, move on to something that better fits your wants.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

Have you ever worked as a nurse? If not, you are a very unattractive candidate in the eyes of prospective employers because you've been licensed for two years but are still without paid nursing experience.

My advice is to take whatever you can get. Beggars are not in the position to choose where they can work, especially when prospective employers are not offering choices. Apply to home health, private duty, nursing homes, rehab, methadone clinics, hospice, jails, prisons, and basically anywhere nurses are utilized.

Good luck to you.