Bummed and depressed (another vent :(

[danarooo, BSN, RN]

so i had my 3rd interview in a year (post graduation) and just learned i didn't get the job. i have asked for constructive feedback, which i haven't gotten from the previous two other places i interviewed at so probably won't get it from this one. i am heartbroken. i can't find a job. i just applied to an rn to bsn program which will start in august if i get in but i feel so un-hirable. i know it's a bad economy but geez. i have no previous healthcare experience prior to nursing school, and no one wants to hire me

i am just so frustrated and tired of being disappointed. i feel like it's a roller coaster, every time i apply to a position i am hopeful to only get my hopes dashed by either no response at all or the rare interview for which i end up being told someone else was hired. i am wondering if i even want to be an rn at this point anymore. i had no idea it would be so hard to find employment over a year past graduation. i feel like things worked out for so many of my fellow classmates and here i am in limbo. it's beginning to take a terrible toll on my self esteem, i feel like a looser and most days feel depressed and don't even want to get out of bed anymore. i graduated with honors and have letters of recommendation from not only my clinical instructors but nurses i got to known during clinical, but none of that seems to matter now. i am crushed. i stopped working and my family sacrificed financially for years for me to get this education and be able to make a better salary and for us to have a better life. none of my expectations post graduation has been realized. i have re-vamped my resume and done everything i can think of. i even got the phone book out and started cold calling doc offices and ltc facilities with no luck.

i am heartbroken that this is the result of all my hard work -- years of hard work. nothing. not a d*mn thing.

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

First, I can't imagine how you most feel right now. I certainly understand why you are depressed. At this point you have to realize that giving up is NOT an option. The great thing about hitting rock bottom is that there is no where to move but up.

I do not know you so it's hard for me to offer constructive criticism.However, here are is a post that gave me the wake up call I needed. It inspired me to be more creative in the job hunt, and I hope it helps you too.

https://allnurses.com/nursing-job-search/how-i-got-689384.html

I got a job!!!! BOO-YOW!

New grad got offered CVICU job. Hallelujah !! How I did it...

[Scarlette Wings]

please don't beat yourself over the head. you will find a job, it may not be the exact one you desire at first and may be a transition type job but you will get there. it is hard in the present economy. it may require re-locating. it may require working several part time jobs to make a full pay check but do not give up.

my daughter endured the same path and was heartbroken, working as a certified nursing assistant in the nursing home because no one was hiring nurses but she held on and now has her dream job. it took several years but she made it.

nothing worth having is easy but you have survived nursing school and progressing your education and there will be an opportunity to jump in the work pool. just keep trying and believe in yourself.

[danarooo, BSN, RN]

THANK YOU for the links. I have read them and will begin using those tips.

[danarooo, BSN, RN]

please don't beat yourself over the head. you will find a job, it may not be the exact one you desire at first and may be a transition type job but you will get there. it is hard in the present economy. it may require re-locating. it may require working several part time jobs to make a full pay check but do not give up.

my daughter endured the same path and was heartbroken, working as a certified nursing assistant in the nursing home because no one was hiring nurses but she held on and now has her dream job. it took several years but she made it.

nothing worth having is easy but you have survived nursing school and progressing your education and there will be an opportunity to jump in the work pool. just keep trying and believe in yourself.

thank you for the ecouragment. i appreciate it. i can't work as a cna because i'm already licensed as an rn and can't work below my license legally in my area. i do understand that i will probably have to take a position that isn't my first choice and at this point i'm totally fine with that. moving is not an option. i just moved from one coast to another about 2 months ago! although i have seen it suggested a ton of times on this forum i don't have the up front money to move and leave my family until i got a first paycheck and honestly my husband has been depolyed for over a year and hasn't been back that long and i am just not willing to leave him. i know you "gotta do what you gotta do" but for me moving isn't financially do-able and with a military husband not possible since he can get sent away at any time again and i'd have to leave my job to come back home in his absence anyways.

[LindseyRN86]

Awe. I am right there with you..I applied for a BSN program as well and hey I am at rock bottom too but I refuse to stay there. I am volunteering now and just got accepted into a BSN program. This recession might make jobs harder to get but it's not impossible WE can do this!! PM me if you need to talk. I know how hard it is. All I can say is keep your head up and when one door closes another will open. Take care :)

[amoLucia]

please don't beat yourself over the head. you will find a job, it may not be the exact one you desire at first and may be a transition type job but you will get there. it is hard in the present economy. it may require re-locating. it may require working several part time jobs to make a full pay check but do not give up.

my daughter endured the same path and was heartbroken, working as a certified nursing assistant in the nursing home because no one was hiring nurses but she held on and now has her dream job. it took several years but she made it.

nothing worth having is easy but you have survived nursing school and progressing your education and there will be an opportunity to jump in the work pool. just keep trying and believe in yourself.

pleeeease!!!! increase your type font size!

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

Ok this is what you do. You already know people prefer experience. You need to know that and tell the interviewer why they DON"T want experience because of learned bad habits, etc. They want a new grad because they don't have to train you out of bad habits, etc.

And not just any new grad, but YOU because you are good at X, Y, and Z and you know you have a lot to learn, but you don't cry when getting constructive criticism (I hope) and you never have to be told something twice or whatever your strengths are.

Do NOT try to show off your nursing knowledge unless specifically asked to. Someone here posted about how a new grad told her she was at risk for disease related to her being overweight.

Go with questions like how many patients per nurse, and answers like weaknesses that are REAL but with ways that you overcome them. You need to always follow up anything negative with a reason that it can be overcome or something positive that balances it. For example, "I have a hard time remembering things sometimes, but I always write it down in my notes so I don't forget."

Don't talk bad about anyone or anything. The interviewer will assume that you will do the same about them.

[danarooo, BSN, RN]

Ok this is what you do. You already know people prefer experience. You need to know that and tell the interviewer why they DON"T want experience because of learned bad habits, etc. They want a new grad because they don't have to train you out of bad habits, etc.

And not just any new grad, but YOU because you are good at X, Y, and Z and you know you have a lot to learn, but you don't cry when getting constructive criticism (I hope) and you never have to be told something twice or whatever your strengths are.

Do NOT try to show off your nursing knowledge unless specifically asked to. Someone here posted about how a new grad told her she was at risk for disease related to her being overweight.

Go with questions like how many patients per nurse, and answers like weaknesses that are REAL but with ways that you overcome them. You need to always follow up anything negative with a reason that it can be overcome or something positive that balances it. For example, "I have a hard time remembering things sometimes, but I always write it down in my notes so I don't forget."

Don't talk bad about anyone or anything. The interviewer will assume that you will do the same about them.

Thank you for the great advice that I will certainly take! I don't cry when I get constructive criticism so I am good on that one! I only cry when I think I'm still in the running for a job I want and am still "running the race" when it's already offered to someone else and I find out in an unexpected way rather than through the company itself (this last one).

So, any advice on getting more interviews? 3 in 14 months is beyond depressing.