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.

[rn2bn07, BSN, RN]

First, I would call the nursing recruiter at the hospital directly in human resources and ask them about your application. Most will be honest and helpful, because new graduates are needed in most hospitals. Try applying to teaching hospitals and large inner city hospitals where the most help is needed and more positions are available. Next, you have re-evaluate yourself. You mentioned that you never thought you amounted to anything, and that you hated nursing in the first place and you just did it for the money. Well, maybe the person interviewing you could sense this through your attitude and body language. You may not notice it but people can tell just from your facial expression if you had a bad day or not, so you need to think about it if this is truly what you want to do and if so, maybe self-meditation and prayer, a little exercise before you go to the interview to pep you up and a "I know I can do this" attitude may help you succeed in landing your first job in the nursing field. Good Luck

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Have someone look at your resume and cover letter, maybe the career counselors at your old school. There might be something you are missing. You can consider alternatives to the hospital such as doctor's offices, urgent care clinics, schools, etc. Yep, even Correctional nursing although I assume you were kidding in your post. Keep plugging along and even though you are discouraged, remember to keep a positive attitude WHEN you get the interview. Don't let your discouragement show to the perspective employer. Good luck!

[Winnie04]

Hi wabashcannon, it sounds like you are in NYC, right? Did your classmates find jobs in NYC? I have heard that the area is like my area (Boston), in that there is a nursing GLUT and hardly any jobs for new grads. Is there any possibility that you could relocate?

[dionnedillon]

try long term care, not very challenging but it is nursing and u can get experience here for the next job, possibly at the hospital

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I know where you are coming from. I'm in the same boat. All I can say is keep plugging away. Are you able to relocate? I'm having to apply to out of my home state and so far I'm at least getting interviews. Also talk to one of your instructors, see if they can take a look at your resume and cover letter and help you tweak it. Also meditation may help the stress your feeling. I personally have taken up crocheting to take my mind off the job hunt. I also asked a nurse recruiter to take a look at my resume to see what I am doing wrong. She actually got back to me about looking at it. I'm still waiting to see what her advice would be.

Also, talk to someone. If you had problems with your depression while in school, believe me you can have problems now. Don't give up and take care of yourself. Tell yourself everyday things will get better.

[wabashcannon]

I know where you are coming from. I'm in the same boat. All I can say is keep plugging away. Are you able to relocate? I'm having to apply to out of my home state and so far I'm at least getting interviews. Also talk to one of your instructors, see if they can take a look at your resume and cover letter and help you tweak it. Also meditation may help the stress your feeling. I personally have taken up crocheting to take my mind off the job hunt. I also asked a nurse recruiter to take a look at my resume to see what I am doing wrong. She actually got back to me about looking at it. I'm still waiting to see what her advice would be.

Also, talk to someone. If you had problems with your depression while in school, believe me you can have problems now. Don't give up and take care of yourself. Tell yourself everyday things will get better.

AH ha ha ha. That's crazy. I crochet too. All the time actually. Lots of antique bags right now. I learned it about 10 years ago and I pick it up from time to time, especially when things get rough.

[wabashcannon]

Hi wabashcannon, it sounds like you are in NYC, right? Did your classmates find jobs in NYC? I have heard that the area is like my area (Boston), in that there is a nursing GLUT and hardly any jobs for new grads. Is there any possibility that you could relocate?

Hi there. I'm actually in Westchester, so from here, the commute to NYC is about 40 minutes from the train. I've heard of one person who got a job in NYC...but then again, I don't keep in touch w/ too many people from school.

Oh yes, can't relocate cause I haven't enough money.

[wabashcannon]

First, I would call the nursing recruiter at the hospital directly in human resources and ask them about your application. Most will be honest and helpful, because new graduates are needed in most hospitals. Try applying to teaching hospitals and large inner city hospitals where the most help is needed and more positions are available. Next, you have re-evaluate yourself. You mentioned that you never thought you amounted to anything, and that you hated nursing in the first place and you just did it for the money. Well, maybe the person interviewing you could sense this through your attitude and body language. You may not notice it but people can tell just from your facial expression if you had a bad day or not, so you need to think about it if this is truly what you want to do and if so, maybe self-meditation and prayer, a little exercise before you go to the interview to pep you up and a "I know I can do this" attitude may help you succeed in landing your first job in the nursing field. Good Luck

Thanks for the tip.

I have a very hard time, however, speaking to the folks at Human Resources. They just act like they have no interest in you. Even when I go to their office in person, nurse recruiters are usually off limits. At least that has been my experience.

[sbyramRN]

Unfortunately, I think you waited too long to take your NCLEX and to apply for jobs. Most people usually start applying for jobs and have a job lined up before graduation, and before sitting for their boards.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I'm in the same boat. Today, I was turned down by a 1-star (I checked)nursing home.

[eccentricRN]

First of all take a deep breath & try to relax... looking for a job is always stressful & having looked as long as you have makes it even tougher. Use all the other advice you've received about having someone look at your resume & cover letter, etc... But realize that although there's a nursing shortage, there is an even bigger shortage on medical funding.

Now that is not to say you cannot find a job. You need to find your edge... do not make your perspective employer believe you only went to school for a scure job & a good paycheck, they want someone who truly cares for their pts... not saying you wouldn't. It's also very hard to pick yourself up from the dulldrums once you've sunk deep, so you need to find a way to release the negative feelings about yourself... I am positive they are not dissinterested in you as you say you feel they are... that's the depression talking... you know what gets you out of a funk & you need to do it now!! That negative energy goes with you & passes through any conversations you have with people... job searching is boring, heart breaking sould crunching work, but persistence will pay off in the end. Maybe you could talk to some people from school, maybe you'll find you really aren't the only one finding it difficult, as have some fellow posters right here.

Go to the job service center in your area, get help with you resume if needed & they can also help you learn how to interview. Use your resources & I truly wish you the best of luck... let us know WHEN (you will find one!) you get a job so we can congrat you!!