Finding a Nursing Job??? Help!!

[CMR2012]

I am a male nurse that received my RN license last year. I had been searching and searching for a job and out of haste took a correctional center job. The environment was extremely punitive and not supportive of new grads. I was the only one with a BSN. Needless to say I voluntarily quit knowing I could find something better. Well, that was in the fall and I have yet to find anything. I am putting out applications everyday and making connections but nothing. I am wondering if switching careers was the right thing to do. I have a lot to offer an employer with a background in education and science (was a teacher). I am very motivated and want to get this nursing career kick started. Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

[peeyno]

Hi the standard of nursing in developed countries are falling

[Andrew1403, ASN, BSN, RN]

Hi cmr2012, you may have to do what alot of Rns do, actually do what I consider the unwritten rule of the road for getting nursing job. Many nurses right out of school think they will get the job they want right away, in most cases they are wrong, very few new nurse grads get hired into there preferred job area or even a hospital at that.

I consider the unwritten rule of the nursing road is climbing the job ladder. Alot of nurses have to start out in LTC (for 1 yr) then transfer to a TCU or even a clinic (for 1 yr) and then apply for a hospital job. Only a few new grad nurses get hired into hospital right away right out of nursing school just because they were previously working in the same hospital as a CNA (because hospitals hire internally before looking at external applicants)or were lucky and applied to hospital were they did there preceptorship& clinicals.

My advice would be to apply to a LTC or TCU and gain some experience for 1 year and then reapply to a hospital.

Good luck with your job search!

[CMR2012]

Thanks Andrew1403 for some great advice. I will be doing just that! I greatly appreciate it.

[WrekDiver88]

If you don't mind moving a state or two over, you would have no problem finding a hospital job with a BSN. Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, etc. have the lowest unemployment rates in the country, and plenty of nursing jobs available. The more desirable cities or cities with lots of nursing schools are a bit more competitive of course, but nothing like Chicago or the coasts. Some of the rural areas are even paying hiring bonuses and relocation expenses if you don't mind small towns. Unfortunately they are also the lowest paid states in the country (the whole Midwest doesn't pay very well, including Chicago though), but you will get experience, and the cost of living is low in most areas.

[NurseGuyBri]

Finding the RIGHT nursing job is hard, but finding A nursing job isn't always as difficult. Like everyone else has said, you gotta keep trying and maybe take something you don't like at first. That being said, you can get a lot of good experience in a SNF. The patients are becoming more acute and need better care. When I am hiring, it is much easier for me to find LPN's in SNF than RN's, so when a position for RN is open, it's hard to get filled at times. Good luck!!!

[CMR2012]

Hey thanks for taking the time to respond. I am definitely applying to those SNFs. I just would never thought I would have had this much trouble. I wish I could get out of this area but for now I am stuck. I appreciate your response! Thanks!!!

[ER Night Club]

It sounds like you're having a difficult time properly marketing yourself. You may have to broaden your horizons and look out of state for a medical/surgical position within a hospital. Always start there; These types of jobs will shape what you become.