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.
I just want to echo what some of the other members have already said.
I think you need to find out what it is you really want to do in life. Nursing is a stressful job and you will get burnt out fast if it is not something you go into with a passion.
I understand that financially you need to work so I would say to check agencies, specifically Gotham. It is not only a difficult time to hire people, but you are also competing with a large group of new grads in NY/NJ. Look at the NYS Jobs website and apply for an entry level position with the government. Prisons actually do hire, but not sure if that would be the best place for you. I understand the young comments, I am 8 times 4 and manager three weeks ago thought I was 10 years younger and was concerned about that. Someone out there is willing to give you a chance.
Most important, continue to take care of yourself. Find something to occupy your time that makes you feel good. Those feelings will reflect in all you do. Good Luck!
I'm a new graduate nurse & I have had two interviews--with no luck. Basically, what the human resource folks are telling me is that nurses are no longer leaving their jobs like before due to teh economy so there really aren't
any many openings out there. ?
have you triedn ursing homes? That may be your next bet & then possibly looking at other areas even connecticutt since it's not too far from Westchester.
Hey Wabash do you mind me asking what school you went to??
Just wanted to tell you to hang in there. ALthough I am only in pre-nursing right now, after reading your post I know it already sounds like me 2 years from now. I am doing nursing no matter what! However, there was a time in my life, I remember saying I WOULD NEVER BE A NURSE (but of course I said that about getting married and having kids too, HAHA). I also think I suffer from depression or anxiety or both, but too scared to seek help. I never want to be medicated and "drugged up", it scares me. I can't even take tylenol with codeine with out feeling weird (infected tooth I was given it for).
I will admit I am doing it for job security and money more so than "helping people"...I just hope and pray I end up working with children, because then I am sure I will enjoy it.
My advice to you is go in person to Human Resources whenever you can. There are TONS of temp agencies that would hire you I am sure. Check the school districts. Check the prisons, pych wards, nursing homes wherever! You need some experience, and then you can go anywhere. Try Craigslist, etc. Spruce up your resume as well.
was reading this and I am not a nurse yet either, but I moved south for up North, and I can tell you the market here is very different. First off, FL has several jobs easy market to get around in, but the wages, patient ratio and working ot with no pay is just crazy. Now you have GA the ATL yes baby, no- ATL you can't find a job even if you paid for one, the patient ratio is worst- I am talking about I have seen 30-40 residents and patients in a nursing home and acute care setting, the pay for a tech job here is somewhere around 8.00 with about 4 years experience, crazy. I say this to say know what you are getting yourself into, maybe try Long Island, or upstate NY or maybe even NJ someplace where you can communute, but I would not advise just picking up and moving south because you dont believe you will find a job.
Also you might want to look into some insurance companies, they hire RN all the time and these jobs do not require clinincals. even admin work for a facility use RN. give these ideas a shot and see what you will come up with. If all else fail, like another poster advise, go back to school see what else you may like to do. However, I could not see going into a field like nursing and not wanting it. RT is another option - and yes agency as well, you can work pt and continue to look at the hospital in the meanwhile, but I would explore every part of nursing I could get my hands on, why because nursing is so broad, the opportunity is endless you just have to stick with it.
This, i think is what is the biggest source of your problems, reflected in your statement: "I never wanted to be a nurse in the first place"
If you never wanted to be a nurse in the first place, the chance is when you finally get the job, your attitude will "shine" through the (lack of) care and support you provide to patients, (lack of) improvement, etcetera. If you never wanted to be a nurse, you really ought to consider a different job. Nursing is not easy, and it takes a lot out of person to be out there with the sick, even when nursing is something you really want to do. Kudos to you for getting through the nursing school.
Nursing is my second career and I love it. I am much happier than I've ever been.... Why spend 12 hours of your day doing something you don't like?
CONGRATULATIONS NURSE !!!! YOU HAVE GOTTEN FARTHER THAN MANY:bow: AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXCELL!!! I will be 30 this year and am not even finished with my pre-requisites to even apply to a nursing school, not to mention I am currently working full - time and not in the nursing field which is where I would love to be (Squeezing time is definetely an issue for me). Did you try the 1199 SEIU Union (look it up on internet). They can probably help you obtain a job in nursing. Also try Nurse Educator. Many schools need Nurse Educators and are currently hiring people with Associates Degrees, Bachelor's Degrees, with no prior experience in teaching:yeah:. Lincoln Tech is looking for Nurse Educators. Maybe that may be what God wants you to do for now, being that there is a nursing shortage because there is not enough nurse educators. (You never know). You are very ambitious, determined, gifted, persistent, and hey after all those years of school, tests, and wiping the sweat off your brow, you can make it through this as well. Feel good you are AWESOME!! YOU WILL BE WORKING WHERE YOU ARE NEEDED AND KNOW GOD IS WITH YOU AND WILL HELP PUT YOU WHERE HE NEEDS YOU TO BE TO HELP OTHERS!!:redbeathe Trust me you will see. Good Luck, keep looking, and know that you are needed in the nursing field! Congratulations once again!!! Did you ever look into maybe starting your own nursing classes/school for students to attend, the options and opportunities are endless. (You may even be able to get a grant to help you with this).
By the way, prison nursing is actually not bad as long as you have reliable security. I am doing weekends in a medium security in NC as I finish my BSN and it is one of the physically easiest nursing jobs I have done. There are protocols for anything you need to do which is a great resource for learning. Check out the forum here on corrections.
I feel down in the dumps too. I have applied at over a dozen places with my ADN and I have 10+ years experience as a LPN with med surg exp, but they still consider me a new grad. I think that is crazy. It makes no sense that they would hire a RN with 1 year experience and no med surg exp over me, whatever. I fortunately already have a job in pediatric home care when I was still a LPN, so I got my pay raise right away to RN salary, but I don't feel like a nurse in home care, not very challenging...I belong in the hospital. I should of stuck it out as an LPN, but the stress and limitations was too much. I have possibly been a pain in the butt to some employers, but you have to be in this economy to get a good job. I did get a call for a per diem position in home IV infusion, which I love to do. Sometimes working per diem at a variety of agencies may work as it has for me. Keep your head up and good luck!
As a RN, im not working as of yet unfortunately. I was working for one as an LPN but they have no RN openings. I thought you were offered a position in one already?
!!!!
YOU HAVE GOTTEN FARTHER THAN MANY:bow: AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXCELL!!!
I will be 30 this year and am not even finished with my pre-requisites to even apply to a nursing school, not to mention I am currently working full - time and not in the nursing field which is where I would love to be (Squeezing time is definetely an issue for me). Did you try the 1199 SEIU Union (look it up on internet). They can probably help you obtain a job in nursing. Also try Nurse Educator. Many schools need Nurse Educators and are currently hiring people with Associates Degrees, Bachelor's Degrees, with no prior experience in teaching:yeah:. Lincoln Tech is looking for Nurse Educators. Maybe that may be what God wants you to do for now, being that there is a nursing shortage because there is not enough nurse educators. (You never know). You are very ambitious, determined, gifted, persistent, and hey after all those years of school, tests, and wiping the sweat off your brow, you can make it through this as well. Feel good you are AWESOME!!
YOU WILL BE WORKING WHERE YOU ARE NEEDED AND KNOW GOD IS WITH YOU AND WILL HELP PUT YOU WHERE HE NEEDS YOU TO BE TO HELP OTHERS!!:redbeathe Trust me you will see. Good Luck, keep looking, and know that you are needed in the nursing field! Congratulations once again!!!
olivia28
144 Posts
Hello There-
I just want to echo what some of the other members have already said.
I think you need to find out what it is you really want to do in life. Nursing is a stressful job and you will get burnt out fast if it is not something you go into with a passion.
I understand that financially you need to work so I would say to check agencies, specifically Gotham. It is not only a difficult time to hire people, but you are also competing with a large group of new grads in NY/NJ. Look at the NYS Jobs website and apply for an entry level position with the government. Prisons actually do hire, but not sure if that would be the best place for you. I understand the young comments, I am 8 times 4 and manager three weeks ago thought I was 10 years younger and was concerned about that. Someone out there is willing to give you a chance.
Most important, continue to take care of yourself. Find something to occupy your time that makes you feel good. Those feelings will reflect in all you do. Good Luck!
Olivia