down, dejected, and tired of the cheerleading

Nurses New Nurse

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I graduated with my ADN a year ago and still no job to speak of. I've tried being optimistic, but lately I just can't gather the strength for that anymore. I worked hard in school for three years so that I could have a shot at a career and a better way of life for me and my family. All that has gotten me is deeper in debt and unemployed. Resume written and reviewed, applications sent, phone calls made, bugging each and every HR in a 20 mile radius. Same story each time (and if I get one more email response that starts with "thank you for sending us your resume, unfortunately. . .) I don't have that "magical" year of experience. No experience=no job, no job=no experience. I thought reading other people's stories would help but I've gotten very tired of the whole cheerleading "don't worry things will look up" "keep looking" "It took me 6 months but now I have my dream job" blah, blah, blah. I'm not one of those who thought that this would be a guarantee as soon as I graduated, nor am I one of those who are picky about where they work. I can't even get an interview anywhere. And all I see on websites like careerbuilder and my local newspaper are RN jobs available but ONLY if you have at least a year experience. After a year of typing, mailing, calling, borderline stalking, I've pretty much given up on being a nurse and now only occasionally check for jobs (they start to look promising until I reach that "requirement" area). Yeah, I apply anyway (or used to) but don't hear a thing back. For those of you who can't get into nursing school, count yourself lucky; I did and it cost me in excess of $10,000 of my own money, blood, sweat, tears, and the sanity of my family putting up with me for absolutely nothing. What a complete waste. I just applied to Target and Office Depot. Hopefully I can get some minimum wage job there. Nursing shortage, what a crock.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Can you expand your search radius beyond 20 miles?

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do you know anyone that works at a hospital? Maybe a nurse supervisor or better yet, a doctor that will recommend you?

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all avenues exhausted. I have stellar recommendations from other nurses when I precepted in school not to mention great references from other bosses (non-nursing jobs). And no, expanding my search radius much more than I have is not an option. I have kids and I can't just pick up and move away somewhere else (not to mention no money to do so). One HR person had the audacity to actually tell me I should move to another state to find work! If I had the money and means to do that, what the heck would I need a job for?

The biggest issue is that I have a lot to offer and no one is interested. I'm almost 40, this is my second career so I have plenty of skills (just no skills in nursing other than working as an LPN in a couple of places where the experience doesn't count as "skilled" nursing). So I'm not some young newbie with no responsibilities who can just assume a nomadic existence in order to work in this field.

Getting a doctor to sponsor me? what the heck does that mean? Do I just cold call some doctor and beg him/her to get me a job? I don't see that happening.

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You mentioned working as an LPN. Go back to working as an LPN if you have to. Home health agencies that don't have an RN position open should be able to give you LPN work. It is better than being unemployed. Good luck.

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just wondering, what state do you live in?

and I was just asking if you knew anyone that worked at a hospital...maybe someone that works in HR, other nurses or even a doctor? I've heard if you know a doctor that works in a hospital and he/she personally recommends you, it is almost guaranteed that you will get the job...so i guess you can try networking more

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If you can't move, you can't move- I get that moving isn't always a realistic choice for everyone. But going out a few more miles would just be adding to your commute. My search radius was an hour (ish) in every direction. A 20 mile radius isn't that wide of a net really.

Have your classmates found jobs? Can you network with them? Did you try joining a professional organization to network that way? What about volunteering with the Red Cross (the weekly commitment is pretty minimal and it would be another opportunity to meet people plus looks good on your resume)? Do you tell everyone you know that you're looking for a nursing job (I got called to interview for a non-nursing job that would have gotten me great hospital contacts by doing that, it was embarrassing for everyone to know of me as so-and-so's friend who is having a hard time finding a nursing job, but it did lead to a job offer that would have paid much more than minimum wage)?

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It's really tough out there, so I hear you. One piece of advice I have to you is get a job in home health. I did and it was the best thing I ever did. First, it was great in keeping up my skills and some hospitals considered this enough experience to not look at me as a new grad and gave me interviews based on this experience. If there isn't a local home health agency looking for an RN in your area (most home health agencies have openings at one point or time throughout the year) then how about taking a job working at a blood bank, or for hospice, or LTC facility?

And I know this is incredibly frustrating because its free work but how about volunteering at the hospital that is most new-grad friendly in your area? I had two girlfriends who got jobs because they were volunteering in the hospital.

I get that you're frustrated, that you have worked hard and for a very long time at getting a job. Sometimes you just have to say this sucks, take a break from it, and return to the job hunt a week later with renewed energy and new ideas.

I agree with the above poster-expand to looking outside 20 miles. I'd look up to 60 miles away. I would make sure I am talking to every Tom, Dick, and Harry I meet about the fact that I am looking for a nursing job.

What feedback are you getting from nurse-recruiters? I would make best friends with the NR. Make sure they know who you are. Make sure they know that you are endlessly dedicated to getting a nursing job at their hospital, that you are hard-working, professional, and enthusiastic. Drop by your resume and cover letter to the NR office with some homemade cookies. Ask for feedback and get a "read" on what they are hiring for at that particular hospital. Keep in close contact throughout the year with the NR. Ask them what other new grad nurses with ADN's seem to be doing to get jobs in the area...who in town is hiring them? Dress professionally and be endlessly polite with NRs. Its almost like your a sales agent but for yourself.

You probably already know and have done these things but sometimes you need someone else to light that fire under you, some times you need to just scream and shout from the frustration, and sometimes you just need a break. I hope you get whatever you need from this post and I hope you find your job ASAP.

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Totally understand your frustration. Have you thought about sending your resume to local doctor's offices as a last resort? If you could get hired, it would be a paycheck and possibly networking opportunities.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Join your local nursing association and find a mentor. They can lead you towards a position that is available.

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I hear you. I get depressed at least once a week searching and applying for jobs. I'm still not working yet either. I like the suggestions that everyone has made so far. My suggestion would be an investment...look at online programs for a quick way to a BSN, accelerated or RN to BSN. From what I'm hearing, there is a shift in hospitals that want their "magnet" status to only consider BSNs going forward. Just starting a program could make you more attractive to prospective employers.

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

Everything changes with time...sometimes life is nothing but a test of patience.

Leaving will not resolve your problems but just start a new one with the difference that you are last in line...remain in your position be strong and fight

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