Did anyone graduate and not work soon after?

Nurses New Nurse

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Specializes in Tele/Cardiac.

Hi All,

I graduated in May of 2008 while being two months pregnant. I had a difficult pregnancy and didn't work the whole nine months. I have a beautiful baby boy who I adore and I'm finding it hard to get myself to apply for a job....yes, I still didn't work yet. I have been an RN for eight months now and I haven't worked not one day as one. I graduated at the top of my class from a great university...so I worked extremely hard to get where I am. I want the best of both worlds...to be the best mom to my son and to work as an RN (which I am so passionate about). I am scared that I can't do both. I am thinking of doing home care, avoiding 12 hour shifts, being with my son, and doing what I love. I was just wondering if anyone else is having the same struggle or if anyone had a hard time getting hired for not working immediately after graduation? Words of encouragement are welcome too....

Specializes in Nursing Informatics, E.R., med surg, ENT.

a collegue of mine was in the same situation as you. what she did was found a way for the hospital we work in to work only every other weekend. it kept her skills fresh and she felt she was doing what she was meant to do professionally and as a parent of twin babies. she said, eventually the kids will grow up and be in school so she can slowly buil her hours up and eventually work fulltime. in the interim she is perfectly happy where she is.

the hospital we work for has a schedule and has hired nurses who work only the weekends so they can spend time with their families and children during the week. nurses work every weekend or every other weekend, depending on what unit needs.

it all really depends on how "family friendly" the hospitals you work in

labdad....thanks so much for your great reply. I would LOVE to apply to your hospital. Sounds like you've got some wonderful things going on there. I can't send you a personal email on this system yet.

Can you please contact me directly so I can get the particulars. I would like to ask you a few more questions and of course, make sure you get credit for my application...

Thank you again!

LabDad-

I have not posted the minimum number of posts on this site to allow us "private communication" unfortunately. So only YOU can send me private emails.

I am VERY interested in employment with your hospital!~ Wow, sounds like you've got a lot of wonderful things going on there! Very exciting! Relocation is not an issue, nor is traveling to interview. I am "at the ready."

I would be happy to move forward with an application and of course, you should get credit for that. My suggestion is that you give me ALL of your info in another private email so we can discuss further. I have a lot of questions. I just can't do it in this forum.

Thank you again!

Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

It took me nine months just to find a job, so yes, I totally understand your frustration. Market is really tough right now.

Specializes in Nursing Informatics, E.R., med surg, ENT.
LabDad-

I have not posted the minimum number of posts on this site to allow us "private communication" unfortunately. So only YOU can send me private emails.

I am VERY interested in employment with your hospital!~ Wow, sounds like you've got a lot of wonderful things going on there! Very exciting! Relocation is not an issue, nor is traveling to interview. I am "at the ready."

I would be happy to move forward with an application and of course, you should get credit for that. My suggestion is that you give me ALL of your info in another private email so we can discuss further. I have a lot of questions. I just can't do it in this forum.

Thank you again!

Wendy,

I just sent you an email with the particulars of the hospital i work for. If you are interested, let me know.

hi there!i read your conversation..i can feel i was the one speaking..i graduated march 2008..up to now, i cant land a nursing job because i have to support my sister in her studies.i cant land a hospital job as they will require their nurses to do volunteer work in their hospital..of course, volunteer works are free..if i work in the hospital and do volunteer work, i may compromise my sister's education..i am hopefully looking for a hospital which will accept nurses even for volunteer work on weekends so i can work on weekdays.........sigh

Specializes in NICU Level III.

After graduation, I moved out of state and did volunteer work completely unrelated (almost) to nursing. It was with a SANE nurse, but more of it was working with domestic violence victims ..she just happened to do SANE nursing, too. Anyway, I am fine as a RN now.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

It took me 8 months to find my first RN job, which was cancelled, and 2 more to find the next one. I can relate to your frustration.

Specializes in Tele/Cardiac.

Hi all,

So I went for a second meeting with the home care agency that was interested in hiring me...they do want me BUT just not yet. They just established the agency so their patient census is extremely low. When they pick up a few more patient lists, they should have a place for me. In the mean time, I'm going to apply to a few local hospitals but I'm so worried they are going to judge me based on my lack of working right outta college. The economy in MI is so terrible. Nurses are even suffering here. My friend just got news that they are no longer offering raises and made a deduction in the match for her 401k. Honestly, why is it that us American nurses who studied here are having a hard time finding what we want, while hospitals are importing nurses so they can pay them less.....Well you know what....quit telling us there is a nursing shortage. What shortage????? Thanks for listening all. :banghead:

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