Down in the dumps

[wabashcannon]

This may be redundant cause I posted a similar thread some time ago, but here goes. I graduated from an ADN program last May, got my license in the beginning of September...I've been applying to lots of places and still no job. No I never envisioned that 8 months after graduation, I'd be unemployed...that I'd be seen as such a big burden, a useless tool. I feel like crap. I don't wanna call up people I've graduated with cause I don't even think they'll understand. I've already been told that I'm lazy...and well, that may as well be, when you're unemployed. I've no experience as a nurse or even a tech so I don't even think I could call myself a nurse. I certainly don't see myself as a nurse cause really I'm not. My confidence is down the drain...and it's always been low, but it's getting lower.

Anyways, these are all the hospitals I've applied to so far:

White Plains Hospital,

Westchester Medical Center,

St. Vincent's,

Lawrence,

Dobbs Ferry,

Riverside,

Montefiore,

Phelps,

4 Winds,

Hebrew Home,

Sarah Neuman,

Mount Sinai Queens,

Downtown Hospital in Manhattan,

Coler-Goldwater,

Bellevue,

Jacobi,

United Hebrew Geriatric Center,

Northern Westchester,

St. Joseph's

...and there's probably more.

And I have no preference and am willing to work anywhere. What do I have to do, apply to a prison next?

Is this not enough? Obviously not. I guess I could always apply some more, I know that. To some places, I've applied more than once, just so I could remind them of ol' me, still out there, lurking in the shadows...I know sometimes they don't like this, but it's worth a try, right? Anyways, I've had only 3 interviews. Out of the three interviews, I've only been notified once and that was via a rejection letter in the mail---and , I had called these guys who sent me the letter twice for some feedback some time after the interview, but they never even bothered to call me back and all I was expecting from them was for them to humor me with some BS about my lack of qualifications or what not.

Really, I don't know what to do. Most of the times, when I apply for a position, I've done so online and that's usually what HR tells me to do. I also notice that when I go directly to HR, they don't seem interested at all. I'm lucky if I get a full sentence out of them. I must have been very naive when I was in school or uninterested...I never really looked into jobs before graduation cause I didn't think it would be this difficult and of course all the faculty members in school would say "Oh you will get a job after graduation, no doubt about it. If you graduate our program, you will be employed." And I guess that's partly true...most people I graduated with do have jobs.

I just don't get it. There must be something I'm doing wrong. I know the big factor is economy as well as luck. I know they hire you if they have the means and are willing, but there must be something I am lacking or doing wrong. Am I not being aggressive enough? Am I being too high brow? Should I just try to be a nurse tech or something...but then they're just gonna tell me, "You're a nurse, why are you applying for tech position?" or "We don't hire RNs as techs, why don't you go for a real position?" (I did have a dream that I got hired at a hospital, but it was as a laundrywoman, and they were providing extensive training). Should I try to get in touch with an agency? I spoke to one, but they seemed very hesitant about taking in a new grad. Just don't know how I am supposed to break into this field. Maybe it was never meant to be. I know this sounds sorry assed, but I'm regretting the whole experience, the loss of time.

The truth is, I never wanted to be a nurse in the first place, but I put myself into it cause I never thought I would amount to anything. A sorry comment again, I know, but I'm just being honest. Just did it for the money and to have a stable career, and I'm sure I'm not alone here. Muscled my way through school...even though I hated every bit of it...the only thing I could find agreeable about it was that I would eventually be doing work that is meaningful and honest. I have a history of depression too, and of course it got worse during school. What contributed to it wasn't the nature of nursing school itself, but the stress it produced. Once I was bedridden for days because I couldn't cope anymore.

OK.

The whole experience has been pretty bad.

I'll still be looking for work of course.

Please offer some tips, advice, anything that might help.

Thanks for reading this long thing.

Think I've been dumb.

[HolisticSandz]

Hi, I'm not a nurse yet, so I can't help too much. I don't even live in New York, but thought I'd check out the forum. I've dealt with depression for most of my life. I've finally gotten a hold of it and am doing great. It was a long road for me. It sounds as if you need some support. You're so down on yourself! You passed your program and the NCLEX, that says alot right there. You can do it and you did. If you hated it I wish you would have done what you love. I couldn't make up my mind either.I love science and medicine and people, just not organization, but I'm getting better. lol I think it was my depression. Everything feels overwhelming and impossible. You look at everyone else and wonder why you can't do what they do. Now it sounds as if jobs may be hard to come by right now. I don't know about NY but Ohio is having some freezing going on. Especially in central Oh. So in this time of crappy job market, you've got to be the standout candidate. That means confident, positive, smart, communicative, looking good, fun to be around. It's almost impossible to fake all that when you feel like crap. So HR will see it and make decisions based upon that. I say see a professional psychiatrist. See if he recommends meds. That would be my first step. I avoided seeing a psych dr. forever! What a HUGE mistake. I felt ashamed. ( and lazily unmotivated about my health) Now I don't hesitate to take care of myself! I'm important and so are you! We need good nurses. Get healthy and get out there! Now here's the healthcare mantra: quit smoking, eat right and Exercise! lmao I still say meds first. Then you'll feel so good you'll FEEL like going out and doing something for yourself. All this will improve your outlook. AND your job search. You're a nurse, you know all this. Pick up the phone tomorrow and make an appointment, no reason to suffer. Modern medicine is great. And psych md's are quirky themselves. Sorry so soapboxy long. It's late for me:)

[bananabubbletea]

is travel nursing an option for you?or relocating? beyond those extremes have you tried clinics, dr office,schools,the VA???

[zahryia, LPN]

Here are some ideas:

Look into HEDIS reviews. They might hire you even though you have no clinical experience.

If you have a BSN, look into community health nursing with they local and state health department.

Look into school nursing.

Look to relocate. Some markets are hotter than others. Maryland is supposedly good.

Perhaps you could look into a health related job that's not clinical (i.e. public health, insurance, fitness instructor, etc.)

Or maybe, this is God's way is saying that HE agrees with you that you are not supposed to be a nurse. Perhaps you should tap into your potential and become what you were made to be.

[Kozmo0812]

You should check the local paper whenever it comes out, a lot of times they have nursing positions in there and if you get the paper the day it comes out and call early you might have a better chance! Just believe in yourself or you won't get anywhere.. I'm a graduated nurse who is having trouble passing the NCLEX and I would do anything to be in your shoes - good things come to those who wait, with just a little effort =)

[fawnsternurse]

I hate to say this to all you NEW York/ New Jersey Nurses and specifically new grads, maybe its time to try the South!

North Carolina and other states down south have plenty of jobs for nurses and new grads as well. Get the nursing magazines and get some addresses and internet sites and start applying.

Good Lucj!

[CariocaRN]

I'm not a nurse yet, BUT I've heard that it's been hard for everyone that just graduated. Correct me if I'm wrong everybody, but the hospitals that you've mentioned are known for usually hiring new grands with BSNs only.

Have you tried applying to other HHC hospitals, like Kings County, Woodhull, Brooklyn, Harlem Hospital, etc??/ I had clinicals at some of those places and most of the nurses were new grads with ADNs.

I think you shouldn't waste any more time and you should apply asap to continue your education. That would give you an advantage among other new grads, as the employer would see that you're already on your way to having a BSN.

You could also consider applying at nursing homes. Honestly, I would HATE to work at a nursing home, but at times like this, any experience and any money coming in is better than nothing. Then a year later, you'd have a year into your BSN and 1 year of experience.

Most importantly, don't get discouraged!!!! There are jobs out there, you just have to be a little persistent.

And ask yourself if this is what you really want to do, because if not, then you're just wasting your time.

Good luck!

[loricatus]

Could it possibily be that between your depression and lack of enthusiasm for being a nurse, your voice and body language is conveying something during the interview? See if you could do a mock interview with someone you trust to give you feedback.

Then, just try to find out who the nurse recruiter is for a particular hospital and show up insisting that you speak with that nurse recruiter. No explanations, just assertively (but respectfully) tell the receptionist that you are here to see such and such. Do it in a way where the receptionist will have to call the nurse recruiter to verify something on your behalf. Bring along a copy or two of your resume and prepare to explain why you want a job in THAT hospital (use some research or name dropping) and what you can do for them. First, you must believe in yourself and convince yourself that this is the profession for you; otherwise, you will not find the motivation to put yourself above the other job seekers to those who are inundated with applications for employment.

Nursing is not a profession you can get by with if you are only doing for the money-it is just too stressful a profession and certainly not worth it for the money that it is paying. If you find satifaction in helping others and making a difference in someone's life, willing to work hard with long hours, can learn from your mistakes and grow in knowledge each day, you will be OK. If your heart is not in it, you are doomed to set yourself up for failure & if you fail, it could mean someone's life.

I do feel for you. You are trying to be honest with yourself but seem to have to work on the depression and motivation issues. Take care of yourself first and worry about the job afterwards.

[wabashcannon]

Hi, I'm not a nurse yet, so I can't help too much. I don't even live in New York, but thought I'd check out the forum. I've dealt with depression for most of my life. I've finally gotten a hold of it and am doing great. It was a long road for me. It sounds as if you need some support. You're so down on yourself! You passed your program and the NCLEX, that says alot right there. You can do it and you did. If you hated it I wish you would have done what you love. I couldn't make up my mind either.I love science and medicine and people, just not organization, but I'm getting better. lol I think it was my depression. Everything feels overwhelming and impossible. You look at everyone else and wonder why you can't do what they do. Now it sounds as if jobs may be hard to come by right now. I don't know about NY but Ohio is having some freezing going on. Especially in central Oh. So in this time of crappy job market, you've got to be the standout candidate. That means confident, positive, smart, communicative, looking good, fun to be around. It's almost impossible to fake all that when you feel like crap. So HR will see it and make decisions based upon that. I say see a professional psychiatrist. See if he recommends meds. That would be my first step. I avoided seeing a psych dr. forever! What a HUGE mistake. I felt ashamed. ( and lazily unmotivated about my health) Now I don't hesitate to take care of myself! I'm important and so are you! We need good nurses. Get healthy and get out there! Now here's the healthcare mantra: quit smoking, eat right and Exercise! lmao I still say meds first. Then you'll feel so good you'll FEEL like going out and doing something for yourself. All this will improve your outlook. AND your job search. You're a nurse, you know all this. Pick up the phone tomorrow and make an appointment, no reason to suffer. Modern medicine is great. And psych md's are quirky themselves. Sorry so soapboxy long. It's late for me:)

Thank you.

Agreed, it's very difficult to "fake" all that confidence and what not...but I think in that department I've been doing alright, at least when it comes to interviews. I've worked retail for some time and I surely know how to act peppy when I need to. Anyways, when the main reason for not being hired is the economy...that surely is a hopeless feeling....not to end on a downer.

[wabashcannon]

You should check the local paper whenever it comes out, a lot of times they have nursing positions in there and if you get the paper the day it comes out and call early you might have a better chance! Just believe in yourself or you won't get anywhere.. I'm a graduated nurse who is having trouble passing the NCLEX and I would do anything to be in your shoes - good things come to those who wait, with just a little effort =)

Oh man, good luck on your NCLEX. After graduation, I studied for about 3 months, hard time at the library, mainly w/ my Saunders review book to guide me along my dense pile of notes. It never came naturally to me, but the one thing I had going for me was a lot of time. Good luck.

[wabashcannon]

I'm not a nurse yet, BUT I've heard that it's been hard for everyone that just graduated. Correct me if I'm wrong everybody, but the hospitals that you've mentioned are known for usually hiring new grands with BSNs only.

Have you tried applying to other HHC hospitals, like Kings County, Woodhull, Brooklyn, Harlem Hospital, etc??/ I had clinicals at some of those places and most of the nurses were new grads with ADNs.

I think you shouldn't waste any more time and you should apply asap to continue your education. That would give you an advantage among other new grads, as the employer would see that you're already on your way to having a BSN.

You could also consider applying at nursing homes. Honestly, I would HATE to work at a nursing home, but at times like this, any experience and any money coming in is better than nothing. Then a year later, you'd have a year into your BSN and 1 year of experience.

Most importantly, don't get discouraged!!!! There are jobs out there, you just have to be a little persistent.

And ask yourself if this is what you really want to do, because if not, then you're just wasting your time.

Good luck!

Thanks.

BTW, I do know some people I graduated w/ who are working in some of the hospitals I've mentioned, but they do usually advertise that they are looking for BSNs.

I did apply to some HHC hospitals, bellevue, jacobi, etc...I will look into those hospitals that you mentioned.

Nursing home...well, I've applied to only three so far...I got one interview, was rejected there. Just visited one today, and couldn't get past the front desk, though they did give me an application to fill out.

[wabashcannon]

Could it possibily be that between your depression and lack of enthusiasm for being a nurse, your voice and body language is conveying something during the interview? See if you could do a mock interview with someone you trust to give you feedback.

Then, just try to find out who the nurse recruiter is for a particular hospital and show up insisting that you speak with that nurse recruiter. No explanations, just assertively (but respectfully) tell the receptionist that you are here to see such and such. Do it in a way where the receptionist will have to call the nurse recruiter to verify something on your behalf. Bring along a copy or two of your resume and prepare to explain why you want a job in THAT hospital (use some research or name dropping) and what you can do for them. First, you must believe in yourself and convince yourself that this is the profession for you; otherwise, you will not find the motivation to put yourself above the other job seekers to those who are inundated with applications for employment.

Nursing is not a profession you can get by with if you are only doing for the money-it is just too stressful a profession and certainly not worth it for the money that it is paying. If you find satifaction in helping others and making a difference in someone's life, willing to work hard with long hours, can learn from your mistakes and grow in knowledge each day, you will be OK. If your heart is not in it, you are doomed to set yourself up for failure & if you fail, it could mean someone's life.

I do feel for you. You are trying to be honest with yourself but seem to have to work on the depression and motivation issues. Take care of yourself first and worry about the job afterwards.

Hello there. Thanks for your help and insight.

Lemme ramble on a bit again, just to clarify...

I've had three interviews thus far:

one at a nursing home, then a psych hospital, and lastly at a NICU unit

that's only three, btw

OK, the nursing home interview went pretty bad...I knew it myself that I wasn't showing as much enthusiasm as I could have, but bear in mind, this was my very first nursing interview and I was quite stupid then (heh, just a few months ago and taking things for granted too). As they were describing the position, I admit I was really turned off...it just seemed like I wouldn't be able to handle the workload and that there wouldn't be much training or support either...so I think I did betray my feelings in that interview. OK. That's one.

Second interview at psych hospital, I think, went alright in terms of my performance. I did show enthusiasm and interest and the interviewer seemed for the most part to be receptive to my answers. She did comment in the middle of the interview however that I "looked young"...and asked me how I would be able to control my staff and clients with my appearance being so "young"...and I'm not even that young. Now, I know that that is not an unreasonable question to ask, but I do think now that her eventual reason for not hiring me was based on just what she said, as well as experience, economy, and luck...but anyways, that's not to say I broke during the interview just cause of that, but I do think she betrayed some of her feelings. So, as absurd as it sounds, maybe I was not imposing enough for her...or more realistically, not "adult" enough and that could mean many things. Oh well.

OK, third interview, I think was my best. I got interviewed by two people, and was even told afterwards by one of the ladies who interviewed me that I did great. I even got a tour around the unit...so the whole process took about 2 hours. There was really no reason they shouldn't have hired me except for the factors I mentioned above...those which are I guess, of my control: economy, experience, luck. Thinking back however, the only bad feeling I get from the interview was from the nurse who gave me the tour around the unit. I know this sounds lame too, but I just got the feeling she didn't think I'd fit.

These things happen, I know, and I didn't write all this to make excuses for myself. I just don't think it was my dreary persona doing most of the damage. And I have lots of experience in interviews, especially in high end retail, and if anything, those jobs may be crappy, but there they really care about personality and appearance to the point where it makes a nursing interview seem almost laid back in some aspects. Nonetheless, I'll definitely try to improve myself for the future. Just need to get some more interviews.