Discouraged with job search

[Nurse_Nickie]

I am currently a RN (BSN) at a acute rehab hospital. I graduated in May '13, and started there immediately. It was a nice easy transition, as I worked there for 2 years prior as an aide. I'm already bored and frustrated with the environment and looking for change.

Where I live, there are two large hospitals that are now affiliated with larger hospital networks. I have applied to one, and had an interview in December. I interviewed for a med-surg unit that I had done clinicals on. I thought the interview went well, I was well prepared, made sure to ask questions, and it led to a 30 min conversation with the manager. Unfortunately, I was denied the position. I was told that while in interview was excellent, I lacked the experience they were looking for.

Recently, I had an interview at an LTAC. Interview, like before, went excellent. I was sure I had the job. Was called in for a second interview with the hospital CEO. Knew just by our conversation that it was not a second interview, it was just a courtesy. She made sure to tell me that if I do not get the job to keep applying.

I'm just very frustrated at this point. I know that I am still a new nurse...but places hire new grads all the time. I'm just worried that places think I am being finicky, or jumping ship too early. Which, maybe I am. But I know my strengths, and I know what I am capable of, and I know that if I stay where I am, that I will lose my skills.

Any advice or support would be appreciated.

[scifispam]

Just keep applying. The nursing job market is tough on all of us, even those of us with experience. It took me several months to even get an interview off my resumes. I just got hired into an amazing job, but it took me a lot of tears, stress and frustration first. I don't know why places are taking so long to look at our applications and do something with them....what about that nursing shortage they are always talking about?