Can't even get an interview!

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I've been a nurse for 5 yrs. but I've always been in school health. Now I'm trying to get into the hospital and I've had 2 interviews at 2 local hospitals. Both hospitals told me they didn't want to hire me because I don't have any hospital experience! Well how am I supposed to get the experience if they won't hire me? They are hiring new grads but not me, and I've had 5 yrs. experience as a nurse. Granted, it's public health experience, but my job is autonomous and I have other skills like prioritizing, excellent assessment skills, etc. All I need is clinical orientation to bring my skills to par. I have the nursing theory under my belt.

I feel like I presented myself well in the interviews, explaining how I bring other skills and experience to the job. The 3rd hospital is still in limbo. The recruiter told me the floor managers don't even want to entertain the idea of interviewing me since I don't have hosp. experience but she is "working on them". I'm quickly losing hope on this hospital. How am I ever going to get into the hospital? Why are hospitals hiring new grads over me?

I have the email addy for the nursing director. Should I email my resume and cover letter to her or just wait? I also have reference letters from previous employers that I can attach.

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If you're in California, check out the Rural California Nursing Preceptorship Program

Rural California Nursing Preceptorship Program

As what I know, even nurses who are returning to the field can apply. This will be a great experience working along side with a RN and just to be to par.

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sounds great, but I'm on the east coast. :)

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Craigslist has become my best friend, i just poor over it and keep my fingers crossed and sometimes i have to go on the website of a nursing home of clinic and cold call them. Don't be discouraged, i am a new grad and some days i ask God why and wish i could move back to texas (hubby has to be in the west coast for his job). But i wake up and i just start searching and calling, eventually someone will say yes and i will get that job i want. Keep your head up, try travel agencies, and home health.

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The home health agency I work for would hire just about any warm body they could get. But let me tell you, it's not something you want to do! It's a pressure cooker. I am PRN and I work 12-15 hours a day. It's because they don't have anyone who wants their piece of crap job. Every single nurse they've ever had has walked out except for one who actually was under so much pressure that she had a gran mal seizure in a patients home because she was so stressed out. She lost her drivers license for 3 months and they told her they couldn't save her job since she hadn't been there but about 4 months. I've been doing it for a little more than a year and I've gained weight, my blood pressure is now high (which I've never in my life had problems with) and I feel like I am going to snap under the pressure at any moment. I have been ready to walk out myself for a while now but the past 2 weeks have been horrible!! If I wasn't already having such trouble finding another job I would've already given my notice. I just pray I can hold out until I find something else. It's either going to put me in the unemployment line or the morgue! My advice to anyone considering home health would be to think twice. The company I work for cares about nothing but the almighty dollar!!

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... I know they just hired a NG as one of the Charge Nurses ...

Are you sure that's the case? A new grad as a charge nurse? If that is the case, I'd run, not walk, away from that place pronto. Just my two cents....

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I wouldn't doubt it. I know most of the nursing homes in my area would hire ANY warm body with a license to charge because they have a terrible time finding people who want to work in a nursing home. I was offered a charge nurse position a few weeks ago but after shadowing a nurse I decided nursing homes were NOT my cup of tea! I am really trying desperately not to take another crappy position to replace a crappy one!

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Specializes in School, LTC, OB, LNC, Instructor, etc.

Great news for you. I wish you the best and hope you get the job. Don't send anything until they ask you and send only what they ask for. It can be a guide to the DON nurse hiring you if you can follow directions!

I have worked in LTC and I find the people (residents) very educational. You can learn a lot from the residents about many things. It is routine in LTC as opposed to a hospital. But you still will learn new things about a speicalized age group which is up and coming with a BOOM! Here come the Boomers.

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