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:
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.
there is one valid point in that post, and that is for you to go and see a job counselor. reason: it couldn't hurt to have them look over your resume and cover letter, and you can also get some more tips for interviewing, what to do to set yourself apart from other candidates, learn of places (non-hospitals) that may be looking for nurses, etc.
also, there are some nurse recruiters that float around this forum...perhaps one would be willing to look at your resume/letter and give you some honest feedback. in fact, i know there was one who volunteered to do just that for posters. i bookmarked the thread...when i find it, i'll pm you the url.
I am right there with you. Graduated same time, however I'm stuck working at Old Navy for a measly 9 bucks an hour because there's absolutely nothing around here in the Tampa Bay area and I've even applied out of state and all over FL. I've had 4 interviews. Even got told "you were close to the top but just didn't make it." And that was really frustrating. I am trying not to give up and really hope things turn around and I'm sure there are plenty of other posts on here like this but you are definitely not alone! Just keep your head up...I'm trying my best to do the same. Even had my school's career center critique my resume along with my associate dean of undergrad students. Not really sure what to do anymore either except for keep looking and really hoping something comes along. Hopefully something will come up soon since my $100,000+ in student loans kick in in November.
Wow, lots of responses in the 12-hrs I was @ work.
For those of you that think I was rude and compassionate, mean spirited so be it.
So much for brutal honesty. I pull no punches!
You air out your laundry on a public forum and you're going to get various opinions. How much have the "oh, it will be alright" people truly HELPED you? Gee, group hug! That helps. I was actually being nice.
The plain and simple truth is that you're not "Wow"-ing HR or nurse managers when you interview. Of COURSE they're going to tell you we like you, it's not you...really.
Truth hurts.
It wasn't a personal attack on YOU. You ever think for a moment that after a hundred tries at something you might want to try something else? A different approach to the one you're taking? I recommend a councilor and you all freak out.
That special something you MUST convey to a potential employer is not found on your over-embellished resume, It's not that amazing GPA you acquired, It's not your wonderful Honor Society you affiliate with, It's actually how you present yourself during ANY interview.
You need a dose of self confidence and a way to sell yourself. You need to convince the interviewer in the valuable time they have given you that YOU are the answer to all their problems and they would be seriously wrong not to hire you on the spot. I offered you to seek out a councilor. So blow me off. "I" have no idea what I'm talking about. You go ahead and believe that and continue what you're doing. It's obviously working out Sooooo well for you.
How many of YOU have been on the hiring end of this process huh? How many brain-dead applicants sit down in an interview with the deer in the headlights look and beg for a job that you know simply by their disposition they wouldn't last a day... a week.. a month. NO freakin' way will those people EVER get hired.
You want to comfort this girl and tell her it's okay. Well it's obviously NOT.
Try helping rather than coddling and she might just get more out of it than that warm-fuzzy feeling from the forum. You might just help give her the edge to get hired.
Consider going into medical sales if you are ok knocking on doors , contact a medical sales recruiter . Try dialysis, the big companies Fresenius/ Davita are always looking. Also consider insurance companies. Its all about survival at this point, . Best of luck!
Specializes in Critical care, neuroscience, telemetry,.
Wow, lots of responses in the 12-hrs I was @ work.
For those of you that think I was rude and compassionate, mean spirited so be it.
So much for brutal honesty. I pull no punches!
You air out your laundry on a public forum and you're going to get various opinions. How much have the "oh, it will be alright" people truly HELPED you? Gee, group hug! That helps. I was actually being nice.
Wow. Warn me when you're about to be not nice. I think I might want to be elsewhere.
wow, lots of responses in the 12-hrs i was @ work.
for those of you that think i was rude and compassionate, mean spirited so be it.
so much for brutal honesty. i pull no punches!
you air out your laundry on a public forum and you're going to get various opinions. how much have the "oh, it will be alright" people truly helped you? gee, group hug! that helps. i was actually being nice:spbox:
this is the last response i will make.
i have no problem with honesty....in fact, i prefer it. you're right - lying to me and telling me it will be okay doesn’t' help me. however, your "brutal honesty" makes you just come across as an absolute *******. you might want to consider how you word things…..
Wow, lots of responses in the 12-hrs I was @ work.
For those of you that think I was rude and compassionate, mean spirited so be it.
So much for brutal honesty. I pull no punches!
You air out your laundry on a public forum and you're going to get various opinions. How much have the "oh, it will be alright" people truly HELPED you? Gee, group hug! That helps. I was actually being nice.
The plain and simple truth is that you're not "Wow"-ing HR or nurse managers when you interview. Of COURSE they're going to tell you we like you, it's not you...really.
Truth hurts.
It wasn't a personal attack on YOU. You ever think for a moment that after a hundred tries at something you might want to try something else? A different approach to the one you're taking? I recommend a councilor and you all freak out.
That special something you MUST convey to a potential employer is not found on your over-embellished resume, It's not that amazing GPA you acquired, It's not your wonderful Honor Society you affiliate with, It's actually how you present yourself during ANY interview.
You need a dose of self confidence and a way to sell yourself. You need to convince the interviewer in the valuable time they have given you that YOU are the answer to all their problems and they would be seriously wrong not to hire you on the spot. I offered you to seek out a councilor. So blow me off. "I" have no idea what I'm talking about. You go ahead and believe that and continue what you're doing. It's obviously working out Sooooo well for you.
How many of YOU have been on the hiring end of this process huh? How many brain-dead applicants sit down in an interview with the deer in the headlights look and beg for a job that you know simply by their disposition they wouldn't last a day... a week.. a month. NO freakin' way will those people EVER get hired.
You want to comfort this girl and tell her it's okay. Well it's obviously NOT.
Try helping rather than coddling and she might just get more out of it than that warm-fuzzy feeling from the forum. You might just help give her the edge to get hired.
:spbox:
You know what...I really wish you could be in our shoes.....new grads who found themselves stuck in a very bad economic turmoil...no one is to blame for this hard situation our country has found itself in. You speak so confident because you have no idea what it feels like to not be able to find the first nursing job after years of hell (yes I'm speaking about nursing school).Just because you were lucky and managed to graduate during better times doesnt mean that every other nurse had that privilage.Please do yourself a favor and dont throw your "luck" at our faces because it certainly doesnt take a genius to promptly land a job when there is a huge need for nurses and recruiters are dropping offers left and right before the graduation time.Now I'm sure you read the newspapers and listen to the radio and are aware that those times are over!!!!!! So to blame us new grads for not having a winning personality is really ignorant,to say at least.
Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.
thread closed for staff review.
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Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN
4 Articles; 7,907 Posts
there is one valid point in that post, and that is for you to go and see a job counselor. reason: it couldn't hurt to have them look over your resume and cover letter, and you can also get some more tips for interviewing, what to do to set yourself apart from other candidates, learn of places (non-hospitals) that may be looking for nurses, etc.
also, there are some nurse recruiters that float around this forum...perhaps one would be willing to look at your resume/letter and give you some honest feedback. in fact, i know there was one who volunteered to do just that for posters. i bookmarked the thread...when i find it, i'll pm you the url.
keep trying and good luck!