It’s the same sob story…new grad May ’09 who keeps getting doors slammed in her face. I have, since May, applied to 102 jobs (Med/Surg/ICU/ER/SNF, in-state and out of state, urban and rural). I have been fortunate (and grateful) to have had 4 interviews, but still no offer.
I am currently working a very boring, dull admin job that pays the bills (well, not really – I have had to borrow money every month to pay for my rent). I was delivering the physician mail the other day and just sobbed. I just stood there and sobbed. I have a BSN that I worked my @$$ off for and my other degree (BA) that I also worked unbelievably hard to earn and I am DELIVERINGMAIL.
I go home and cry EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I am going out of my mind. I want to give up. I hate who I have become: I am so negative and pessimistic that I don’t’ even like to be around me. I just can’t stand it.
My friend that used to work at my dream hospital as a charge nurse called the nurse recruiter directly and totally praised me and told her how great I am and what an asset I would be to them (she knows, she used to work there for many, many years). I call the nurse recruiter to follow up and she totally blew me off. Low and behold, I find out two weeks ago that my one of my classmates will happily be started her new job there.
I KNOW that I am not alone – there are thousands of new grads in my same spot. But I just can’t help but wonder “What is wrong with me?” Why did I get completely blown off (even with high praises from an employee) and my classmate got hired?
I am at my *wits* end. I am extremely depressed, angry, bitter, and feel totally rejected. I basically did all this work for NOTHING. Not to mention, I am terrified that I am going to have to file bankruptcy.
I know people keep saying “Don’t worry…things will turn around soon” and “You’re not alone” (Side Note: If I had a dime for every time someone has told me that, I wouldn’t need to be worrying about bankruptcy) but it really doesn’t make me feel any better, even though I really appreciate people trying to make me feel better about my situation.
I just don’t’ know if I can take this anymore…………………………………………….. :crying2:
Wow, sounds like there are a bunch of jobs out there...
I see jobs all around me in San Diego as well.
Must be you.
No Jobs in Cali? Why are they paying travelers like me to come out here and play when they can pay you a whole lot less. I would go to a job counselor. You're doing something wrong.
Wow that was meanspirited and not really necessary
Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
i *so* appreciate your concern and empathy. :icon_hug: i live in california (no wonder i can't get a job). i have applied for jobs in tx, pa, fl, or, and wa. there's just one issue with working out of state: my debt is so ridiculously high. i would be earning (insert sate) wages with california bills - i don't know if i can afford that. you see, my husband has been footing most of my bills (he is so supportive, i love him dearly for his patience and love) but he can't do it for much longer...he doesn’t make that much money himself.
so, in order to make my minimum monthly payments for all my bills, i need to make a certain amount.
i truly hope that doesn't make me come off as me being picky or snobby. i certainly do not want or mean for it to come off that way.
have you called back and asked why you were not hired? my hospital in wa is hiring left and right. all the new hires are new grads! hard to beileve that nursing has swung back to this again. i remember in the 80's. the same situation. good luck. maybe something in wa will open up and you can get a job and some experience. could your dh relocate with you?
filing for bankruptcy is not the worst thing that can happen to you. ask the Donald he's done it lots. Its made for people like you who despite their best efforts cant seem to dig themselves out and who need a clean start. some people stop paying their credit cards so they can start saving for an BK attny. check it out it may be for you and give you a breather. all is not lost. hope you find the perfect job for you. Peace!
filing for bankruptcy is not the worst thing that can happen to you. ask the Donald he's done it lots. Its made for people like you who despite their best efforts cant seem to dig themselves out and who need a clean start. some people stop paying their credit cards so they can start saving for an BK attny. check it out it may be for you and give you a breather. all is not lost. hope you find the perfect job for you. Peace!
Agreed. Prior to my recent job find, I was in dire straits financially. I'm looking for an apartment right now and the rental criteria for one place I looked at said they would not rent to anyone with a bad rental history (too many late checks and/or eviction). However, it said nothing about bankruptcy. If you have bad credit, you would just need to put down an additional deposit.
Wow, sounds like there are a bunch of jobs out there...
I see jobs all around me in San Diego as well.
Must be you.
No Jobs in Cali? Why are they paying travelers like me to come out here and play when they can pay you a whole lot less. I would go to a job counselor. You're doing something wrong.
As a traveler you have experience, whereas many hospitals flat out tell applicants that only experienced RNs need apply. This particular poster has 0 experience. Maybe you should try to be a little less gruff with your replies....
I know exactly how you feel! I also graduated in May 09 and can't find anything. I don't care about shift or floor. I have applied to every position at every hospital that it is possible for me to get to. I can't relocate because I have two kids (and DH can't relocate right now). I live close to a big city so it isn't like there aren't positions out there.....they just don't want new grads. I am really starting to get depressed. Thankfully DH has been really understanding....I couldn't do this without him...
I am in LPN school right now, with the intention of bridging to RN. After reading post after post with the same message, I am mortified! I feel lied to and manipulted by the message of "the nursing shortage". I feel like the school I attend right now is churning out "employble nurses, ie: cattle" at an unreal rate and our market is saturated. It is absolutely terrifying and i am scared for all of us! I hope and pray that when I am licensed that the economy will have taken a turn for the better. The clinical site I am at right now laid off 3 nurses last week because of the low census. They also use us student nurses as CNAs to keep their hours down. I feel like I am doomed even before I start! Anyways...good luck to everyone, we need it!
heck-i'll just send the links to you, if you are willing they'll be there for you to check them out. good luck and god bless
i would love to look into it – i would very much appreciate the email.
i know i posted my hospital's new grad program info on here in fl, but if you had no luck with them here is one in raleigh, nc that many of my friends work at, it's an awesome hospital and they are almost always hiring
i did apply to the fl program you sent me, but never heard back. i will definitely look into the nc one. thank you!
have you tried clinics? they don't have the best pay but after a year you will become a rnii and you would have more opportunities
i have applied to several clinics – even the one i work at. they all want experience and won’t hire new grads. i don’t care if they pay less. as long as i can make the minimum payments on my bills, i’m fine.
i don't know if you've already accessed this avenue yet, but what about your nursing profs or clinical instructors from school, can they point you in a new direction? have you considered ltc, home health care, school nursing, medical centers, just to get your foot in any door? what about taking a patient tech position in a hospital you're interested in, community nursing?
i have tried all clinics – i am not being picky. i just want experience. i have applied for er tech, cna, and pca positions – they won’t hire me because i am new grad.
sprinfield oregon has two hospitals with openings and is hiring new grads.
i will for sure look again tonight. thank you for the info!
okay, you say you will go anywhere, etc, but you have to make a certain amount. at this time, if you really want the job, you may have to take less than what you "need to make" to get the experience. if you aren't willing to do that, believe me, someone else is. you state you're already begging friends and family for money to make it each month. to me it sounds as if you wouldn't be in much worse off shape, and you could get experience.....i hope something comes up for you, but try to be a little more flexible if possible
very true. touché. at this point, as long as i can make the minimum payments each month and don't default on loans or monthly payments, i don't care what i get paid.
so, take a good look at your resume, see if it is up to par. perhaps even have a professional company look at it and see if it needs revision. if your resume is good, and lack of experience is the main problem, then cast a wider net! forget hospital work, it is only one option of many. look at the county health department for public health, the local jail always needs nurses, doctors offices love new grads because they can pay less. nursing homes always need nurses, and may be willing to train a new grad. do you have a local concentra health care clinic or other occupational medicine provider? check them out. city government may have ads for health care personnel. there are many options and your skills are needed somewhere. don't give up..just, as i said...be creative and cast a wider net.
the best of luck to you!
i have had several people (even professionals) look at my résumé and they all say it looks great. i am definitely trying to be more creative in avenues to get experience. thank you for the advice!!!
have you called back and asked why you were not hired? could your dh relocate with you?
i talked to three of the four managers that interviewed me (the fourth one would not return my phone calls or email). i ask them what it is that i can improve upon. they all said i interviewed very strongly - they just decided to hire experienced nurses, not a new grad. dh can't relocate - he just got a promotion that he's worked for years to achieve. i will just need to leave without him for a couple years
To everyone (mostly everyone): I just want to thank you again for all your empathy and support. I will absolutely look into ALL of the ideas and job postings you either posted on here or sent to me. I am grateful for all your help and understanding. :bowingpur
I KNOW that there is nothing wrong with me and they I am a great candidate and will be an excellent nurse (when I get all my bearings and such). I am not looking for nor did I expect to get my “dream job” right out of college. I need to pay my dues. I just want to learn as much as I possibly can to be the best nurse I can be.
In the meantime, I will just volunteer and continue to take as many CE’s as I can to keep my skills as fresh as possible (esp. since I will soon be competing with December grads.....).
I guess this post was just more of a vent of my frustration. I hope I didn’t come across entitled or snobby – I just want to be a nurse already!
Again, thank you for your support and comforting words. I know I will get a job eventually. I am trying my hardest to perk up and look at the positive, bright side of things. I really am trying….but I have my weak moments.
wow, sounds like there are a bunch of jobs out there...
i see jobs all around me in san diego as well.
must be you.
no jobs in cali? why are they paying travelers like me to come out here and play when they can pay you a whole lot less. i would go to a job counselor. you're doing something wrong.
wow. how unbelievably rude.
according to all the nurse managers i have interviewed with, i am doing nothing wrong - it's just horrible times. they all decided to go with experienced nurses. out of my graduating class of 80, 4 have found jobs.
bunch of jobs? for you, maybe...not for new grads. they are paying travelers to "come and play" because you are cheaper. it is expense to train new grads. i guess you've been out of the loop for awhile.
i will keep everything else i want to say to you to myself.
Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.
I am in LPN school right now, with the intention of bridging to RN. After reading post after post with the same message, I am mortified! I feel lied to and manipulted by the message of "the nursing shortage". I feel like the school I attend right now is churning out "employble nurses, ie: cattle" at an unreal rate and our market is saturated. It is absolutely terrifying and i am scared for all of us! I hope and pray that when I am licensed that the economy will have taken a turn for the better. The clinical site I am at right now laid off 3 nurses last week because of the low census. They also use us student nurses as CNAs to keep their hours down. I feel like I am doomed even before I start! Anyways...good luck to everyone, we need it!
Don't worry too much. This is just a "market contraction" and it will pass. It just sucks until it passes. Go forward with your plans. In 5 years, more boomers will retire and that will affect the market strongly. Right now, because of all the job losses, the RN's that are out there that up until now have not been working, suddenly are....in droves. There are numerous articles about this phenomenon on the net and in nursing journals. Until this passes, my main fear is that it will drive salaries back down, and we have battled for a very long time to get a decent wage for the service and skills that we provide. But, as far as jobs go...don't worry, they will be there. One of the things that this has slowed down, thankfully, is the importing of all those foreign nurses. I read on one site that was an agency known for hiring international nurses, that placements in the US were difficult to find for those nurses wishing to get to our job market as an RN. That should help the temporary problem. Anyway, time will work it out. I just have faith that while looking in the right places, you may be able to find jobs where you are without leaving your significant others.
Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.
wow. how unbelievably rude.
according to all the nurse managers i have interviewed with, i am doing nothing wrong - it's just horrible times. they all decided to go with experienced nurses. out of my graduating class of 80, 4 have found jobs.
bunch of jobs? for you, maybe...not for new grads. they are paying travelers to "come and play" because you are cheaper. it is expense to train new grads. i guess you've been out of the loop for awhile.
i will keep everything else i want to say to you to myself.
all the new hires are new grads! hard to beileve that nursing has swung back to this again. i remember in the 80's. the same situation. good luck. maybe something in wa will open up and you can get a job and some experience. could your dh relocate with you?
.thumb.jpg.0ecd35df0d9f1f1355ba04ef16f50db7.jpg){kind=small}
Guest321574
221 Posts
Wow that was meanspirited and not really necessary