BSN new grad can't find a job, should I just go for FP?

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Hi all,

I graduated 3 months ago with BSN degree. Cannot find a RN position yet in the hospital... I am looking at LTC and home health care now. I understand that many ppl suggest to have RN acute care experience before NP school but I guess the economy won't let me do that right now. It's is my goal to become a primary family practitioner in a doctor's office. Even if I get a home health care or LTC job and work for 2-3 yrs, will that help me to be more prepared to become a FP? Any input is helpful, I am just tired of job searching...

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

My advice is to keep applying but by all means expand your education. It can only help in the long run. I am waiting to hear about acceptance into a BSN to DNP program now. Good Luck to you and I am sorry it is so difficult out there right now:twocents:

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Thank you for replying. I actually got a RN position offer from LTC. It seems like all I will be doing is passing meds and giving some wound treatments... I don't mind doing LTC but I don't want to do it for my whole life. I worry that if I join LTC I will have hard time getting a job in acute care setting in the future. I really want to be a FP and I am really trying to get experience to be more prepared. Grr... I really need some input from experienced nurses and practitioners!

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Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.

I would say to keep looking. In the meantime, become ACLS and BLS certified. I don't blame you in wanting to avoid LTC as it is very easy to be pigeonholed into that type of nursing. I guess it boils down to your financial situation. Can you afford to decline the LTC position while you continue looking? Also, are you open to relocating?

Personally, I am in favor of nursing experience prior to becoming a NP, but I don't see anything wrong with taking some core graduate nursing courses while you continue to gain nursing experience. Good luck to you!!

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I would say to keep looking. In the meantime, become ACLS and BLS certified. I don't blame you in wanting to avoid LTC as it is very easy to be pigeonholed into that type of nursing. I guess it boils down to your financial situation. Can you afford to decline the LTC position while you continue looking? Also, are you open to relocating?

Personally, I am in favor of nursing experience prior to becoming a NP, but I don't see anything wrong with taking some core graduate nursing courses while you continue to gain nursing experience. Good luck to you!!

I am willing to relocate. I live in washington state and I have applied to residency programs in WA, OR, CA, and even TX. I had interviews but was not selected since it was my first interview and my nerve took control of me... I did better on the 2nd interview with another hospital but was not selected either. When I get nervous, my brain goes blank and my English goes down hill... (ENG is my 2nd language) Residency programs are so competitive right now and interviews are hard to get and I feel I am not as strong applicant as native English speaker in interviews.

I figure getting a job in LTC is better than flipping burgers in fast food restuarant so my plan right now is most likely accept the LTC job and keep looking for hospital job. Hopefully I will find one before I forget all the skills.

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Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.

Ok, well now we know what the problem is. Taking graduate classes will not fix your interview problem so maybe you should hold off on school until you can master speaking English when you are nervous. You will encounter many situations in nursing that will induce nervousness and you will need to remain in control of your language skills during those times as well.

I would suggest participating in some mock interviews. Inteviews usually cover the same material, ie what are your strengths, what are your weaknesses, tell me about your goals, etc. Have someone ask you those questions until you have them down pat. Also, try to speak English on a regular basis, even at home, so it is comfortable for you at all times. If you only speak English at school or while interviewing you will never be truly comfortable with it. Practice your interview skills daily until it is second nature to you. Your English and interviewing skills should improve with daily practice. Good luck!!

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I am a foreign nurse with over two years of nursing experience overseas. Secured my RN license in 2010 in Pennsylvania. I also have a BSN, a Masters degree from a university here in Pennsylvania. Since then however, I have completed several job applications and but for one short term coding assignment, remain unable to secure a job. I do very good interviews and speak without much of an accent most of which I've lost anyway.

Currently searching for remote positions.. Could there be something Im doing wrongly? Someone advise

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