Experienced RN but foreign-trained,looking for job 3 months now

i have been a Registered Nurse for 2.5 years now and i love being one. I was trained in the caribbean and came to the US in July to do my nclex exams and i passed on my first try:yeah:. thought everything would have been so great and wonderful when i passed. I do have my residency and dont need any form of sponsorship, i just need a a job. In order to actively pursue a job here i had to resign from my job in the caribbean and move here. So i did this in August and let me tell u guys i have never felt so low and dejected in my life:down:. I know that my search for a job would have been difficult because of the economy but i never expected to be jobless all this time, thank god for communities like allnurses to allow you the opportunity to speak:up: am in NYC and all the agencies i contacted turned me down because i dont have US exp. they said try the hospitals, they are the ones that hire foreign-trained nurses, but a lot of the hospitals are not hiring and if they are its on a limited basis. LTC facilities and nursing homes do most of their hiring through the same agencies that want you have at least 1 year US experience:uhoh3: So what can a frustrated Rn like me do again.... Definitely need a miracle to take care of my kids and pay the bills.Is there anyone out there in a similiar situation like me?

i have been a Registered Nurse for 2.5 years now and i love being one. I was trained in the caribbean and came to the US in July to do my nclex exams and i passed on my first try:yeah:. thought everything would have been so great and wonderful when i passed. I do have my residency and dont need any form of sponsorship, i just need a a job. In order to actively pursue a job here i had to resign from my job in the caribbean and move here. So i did this in August and let me tell u guys i have never felt so low and dejected in my life:down:. I know that my search for a job would have been difficult because of the economy but i never expected to be jobless all this time, thank god for communities like allnurses to allow you the opportunity to speak:up: am in NYC and all the agencies i contacted turned me down because i dont have US exp. they said try the hospitals, they are the ones that hire foreign-trained nurses, but a lot of the hospitals are not hiring and if they are its on a limited basis. LTC facilities and nursing homes do most of their hiring through the same agencies that want you have at least 1 year US experience:uhoh3: So what can a frustrated Rn like me do again.... Definitely need a miracle to take care of my kids and pay the bills.Is there anyone out there in a similiar situation like me?

I pray that everything go well with you... I am just starting my application in NYC Since my brother is there and I myself is foreign trained. Despite how bad your story sounds reflecting what I may go through after the application, I am still going through with it... And let's hope and pray that something would be planned for us during those times.

Maybe it is not just the right time for you, right now.. I know it's been long.. but when opportunity comes, don't hesitate to grab it! Don't stop trying eventually all your effort will pay off.

Good luck and God Bless....

Unfortunately, three months of job-hunting is just a drop in the bucket these days -- many nurses, experienced nurses as well as new grads, are having a v. hard time finding work. Best wishes!

It's not you guys, it's the economy. Right now hospitals, LTC Facilities, & agencies can be picky and choosy. My cousin owns an agency down in South Florida and gets tons of applications that it's hard to sort through but easy to pick from. If an international nurse isn't here yet then those applications are the first to be tossed. Her agency is looking for experience first, then looking at the degree. It must be paid experience. She also requires official transcripts and has a team that looks at everything for all applicants. They follow up on the former employers and references before your application is pushed forward. If the applicant doesn't meet all of the requirements then the application is tossed. Her agency is very strict on who they place and that's why it's reputable.

My advise to both of you is to keep applying anyway because something will come up. Good Luck

The state of new york doesn't require SSN numbers. I would think just a short distance to Conn or New Jersey would open up some possibilities.

well finally an agency has given me a chance its not full time but at least its a start until they get more full-time contracts. In the meantime am still going to keep looking and sending out my resume:)

I am in your shoes too.passed my nclex in september and todate no job.its frustrating.