Finding a job as a single parent in MA?

Joanie49 · Feb 28, 2017

It sounds like a very difficult position... Personally in Maine when I graduated they needed nurses so bad our whole 36 bed med surg tele/stroke floor was comprised of ALL new grads... I am totally unsure if moving is in your thoughts? It is seems like a drastic thing to do JUST to find a job BUT from how it sounds it is pretty tough in MA right now for a new grad nurse..... I saw your mentioned working nursing homes but the pay was bad....but some pay is better then no pay? I know its difficult but you could get some experience and move on to a hospital afterwards? I hope all works out for you.. best of luck :)

Flo., BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2017

When I graduated in 2009, I had to move half way across the country to land my first job. It's hard to get a new grad job here, let alone one with the stipulations you have. I wish you the best of luck.

Alli76_RN · Feb 28, 2017

I'd love to move and would if I could, but it's not an option right now. And while some pay is better than no pay, it's just not realistic to pay the bills. I'm considering a longer commute to the city now since I found some jobs there, but certainly it's still less than ideal. Thanks for your encouraging words!

ivyleaf · Mar 1, 2017

Where in MA do you live? We are on a hiring freeze, but the agency I work for considers new grads for outpatient. Are you willing to work psych? Arbour facilities in Lowell and Westwood are desperate for staff. Also community mental health has day hours and takes new grads.

If you need days, focus on outpatient, psych, home health (if the agency is willing to train new grads- some are), and SNF/rehab.

Will be very very hard to get an acute care day shift in MA as a new grad

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 1, 2017

Hi all,
I am a single parent with no support for my one child (meaning no one to watch him after school/evenings) and just completed my BSN and got my RN as part of a career change. I live in Massachusetts and have spent the last 6 weeks applying to hospitals in my area (outside Boston) and cannot get one to call me back or even consider my application.
I graduated from a well-known and respected nursing school, have a strong resume, a solid cover letter, excellent references and I'm sitting here unemployed because no one wants to hire a new RN for days. I have a number of RN friends who tell me this is common because day shifts are part of the career path (start on nights and work toward days as a promotion).
I've already considered short and long term rehab hospitals and nursing homes but the pay is horrific and wouldn't even help me cover my massive loans from school. Doctor's offices don't want an RN without experience, and most other out-of-the-box nursing jobs require experience too.
How does one find a job as a single parent when you're literally only able to work 7-3? Does anyone have any advice on where/how to make a day shift happen when you're new? Thanks in advance.

I guess I just don't understand why having a child means you can only work 7-3.

Does your child have no friends? If he's old enough to have friends, perhaps you can talk to the parents and see if you can arrange to have him stay at a friend's house after school and you can pick him up on your way home from a 12 hour day shift. Or have him stay overnight on the nights you work in exchange for you taking the friend for the weekend to give his parents a break. You can also exchange child care with someone you met at work, a friend from school or the neighbor down the street. Perhaps a retired couple that you know from church or the neighborhood would keep him overnight to get a few bucks under the table or because they miss getting to see their own grandchildren.

It looks to me as though you're unwilling to look for creative solutions, but just want to sit back and wait for someone to give you a coveted day shift position "because I'm a single mother." That does not bode well for a nursing career. Nurse's schedules are flexible, but require that you be flexible as well, and it does not seem as though you are.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Mar 7, 2017

I guess I just don't understand why having a child means you can only work 7-3.
Does your child have no friends? If he's old enough to have friends, perhaps you can talk to the parents and see if you can arrange to have him stay at a friend's house after school and you can pick him up on your way home from a 12 hour day shift. Or have him stay overnight on the nights you work in exchange for you taking the friend for the weekend to give his parents a break. You can also exchange child care with someone you met at work, a friend from school or the neighbor down the street. Perhaps a retired couple that you know from church or the neighborhood would keep him overnight to get a few bucks under the table or because they miss getting to see their own grandchildren.
It looks to me as though you're unwilling to look for creative solutions, but just want to sit back and wait for someone to give you a coveted day shift position "because I'm a single mother." That does not bode well for a nursing career. Nurse's schedules are flexible, but require that you be flexible as well, and it does not seem as though you are.

This^^^^

Your child is likely going to have to experience day care/ after hours care. Millions of kids do.