Depression

[jenn8500]

Hello,

I have almost 2 years experience of being an UNEMPLOYED "new grad". I graduated in May 2010 with an associates degree and got my license in June 2010. I started doing an online RN-BSN in March 2011. I had interviews in November 2010 and almost got hired and since then all I've had is rejection letters. I went to school in NY and I now live in Canada. I have to finish the BSN to work in Canada and even with that there are no jobs here and the process is very lengthy..I have tried many states as I have the proper documentation to work in the states. Almost every hospital I've applied to wants experience. There are new grad internships but I graduated too long ago to be eligible for those.

Not only am I depressed about not being able to find a nursing job, I also can't find ANY job. I used to work in a hospital laboratory prior to nursing school and I have applied for many laboratory positions and heard nothing. I have even tried waitressing jobs...NOTHING. I don't have a criminal record, I don't have a bad employment history, and I have good references. This makes me believe that nobody wants to hire me because they see the nursing degree and think there is a "huge nursing shortage" when in fact there is a HUGE shortage of nursing jobs (for new grads at least). Although I loved nursing school and working in the healthcare field, I feel like I have wasted my life by going to nursing school. I am so desperate that I would work for free to get the experience and Ive even looked for unpaid externships. I am willing to work anywhere and in any area of nursing.

For the past 6 months I have been suffering from severe depression and anxiety. I am just so angry and frustrated that I can't even find a half decent job let alone a nursing job. I'm on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds and I don't a hx of depression. Thanks for letting me vent....

[nursecat64]

Perhaps-(since you have been unable to find ANY job)- you need to take a look at your interviewing skills, your resumes, cover letters and all that. I found great help using "worksource" they will help you with everything. They have classes on interviewing, resume writing, etc.. They will help you even with updating skills like typing and using computers. They have job listings and will give you leads. and it's all free. They are a great resource. I wish you well! :)

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Hey Jenn :) I wondered how you were doing. I'm really sorry to hear that things have been so hard. I know it's a rough time. Message me if you want. I'm still out West.

[goltzilocks]

Hi Hon,

I live in Phoenix AZ and have been employed as an RN for almost 4 years and I am having difficulty finding a job!! I have been on 4 interviews, turned down twice, and am waiting to hear on the other two positions. I have NEW GRADS beating me out because the Hospital paid their tuition if they worked for them for 3 years.

I have a solid work history, great references, paid for a professional resume, have read up on all the interview/do's don'ts, etc. I think the problem rests with the economy!! So many people have lost their jobs and don't have insurance. The people who have insurance are afraid to go to the hospital or have elective surgeries in fear of losing their jobs.

I've been doing Agency work just to have an income. However, from Thanksgiving to Christmas I worked ONE day!! I was ready to go to the food bank! I've been getting down to but I try to stay hopeful. Keep your head up, I think things will get better but WHEN is the hardest part!

Hope something comes up for you soon!

Lydia

[jenn8500]

Thanks for all your support!

Lydia,

I am sorry to hear you are also having a hard time. It's just so hard to believe that experienced nurses are having problems too..When I graduated in May 2010 I thought that was the worst of the economy, but it just seems to be getting worse and yes things WILL get better, but like you said its a matter of when. I know nursing jobs come and go in cycles, but I think this nursing glut is unprecedented. I just worry because by the time the economy picks up, I wont have any skills and there will always new grads...I try to do as much as I can to keep skills up by taking continuing ed courses and working on the BSN degree. I've had my resume professionally done and then had it perfected by an international nurse recruiter. I think its as good as its going to get with what I have.

What is even far more frustrating than not being able to find a job is that the general public STILL believes there is a huge nursing shortage and there are jobs everywhere. People think I'm crazy when I tell them I can't find a job and that nursing is not a hot market right now. They think its just me having problems and I explain that many new grads and even experienced nurses are having a hard time and they are just reluctant to believe me. Even my Physician looked at me like I was crazy when I told him I cant find a job. I'm quite sure that he doesn't even believe that I have a nursing degree...Its pretty bad when physicians don't even know how bad the market is.. I look at nursing schools and they are still advertising a nursing shortage and how easy it is to get a job upon graduating..They can't possibly be unaware of the current job market, but I guess it all comes down to money. I really wish the public was more aware of this situation..

I hope something comes up for you soon too and I'm sure it will! It sounds like you have good solid experience. It is hard right now, but I'm not giving up either.. I'm still applying for jobs and just recently found an online RN-BSN program in Canada that will allow me to take it with a U.S. nursing license. This is great because I have been having major problems finding a school in Canada since most RN-BSN programs in Canada require a Canadian license. The program is approximately 1 year and then I would be able to FINALLY take the Canadian RN exam..I wish I found this program a LONG time ago as I have been working on the BSN degree through SUNY, not that this is a bad program, but it still wont help me to work in CA. Thanks again for all the support. I really don't know what I would do without allnurses!