I have been an RN since 1990. Nursing has changed so much over the past 10 yrs that I hardly recognize it anymore..I have diligently applying for and interviewing for positions I KNOW I am either qualified or OVER qualified for..and yet..it's the first interview, the 2nd interview..meeting with people you won't work with..the "we will be in touch" speech only for it to be weeks later with no response. Online applications that seem to go into resume outer space. I'm done and yet, I know nothing else but nursing. Having an advanced degree and applying for a non-medical position won't work because who is going to hire someone for $9/hr when they were working making $29? I can't afford NOT to work and go back to school for something else..so I feel trapped, overwhelmed by things piling up, angry that many of us on here have worked hard for our degrees and experience only to be placed..where? In a pile of a hundred plus applicants. I was down about this but now, the stress, disappointment and disbelief at how "the system" is done now is becoming, seriously, low grade depression fast turning into more. I have no motivation, all I want to do is sleep and the thought of filing out one more application or going through one more not to pan out interview makes me nauseated. I know this post is a downer..but never, ever, in the 20 plus years as an RN and the 5 before that working in health care as I went to school, have I ever felt this way about nursing nor have I ever wanted to leave the profession. I use to encourage people around me to become nurses. Not anymore.
