Argh!! I want to scream at people trying to 'help' me find a job!

Nurses New Nurse

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Specializes in NICU.

Don't get me wrong, I truly do appreciate that so many people are trying to help me with my Job Search. I'm annoyed though, because I get about two emails a day from people that basically say 'Hey Bobbkat, I was in the ER with so and so yesterday, and I asked the nurse there about jobs, and she said that they just hired some new nurses, so you should go online and apply.' Or, 'Hey Bobbkat, I just looked online at local hospitals website and they have 63 positions open! You should apply!'

As I said I understand that people are trying to help....but do they think I'm an idiot incapable of finding job postings on my own? Do they think that I just had NO IDEA that local hospital was there? Or that it has a website?

When I tell them 'Yes.....I know they have 63 job postings. I have submitted 17 applications to local hospital over the past 6 months, and they won't give me the time of day.' they look really confused. No matter how many times I tell people that I have submitted close to 100 applications to various organizations, they start stammering to me every time about the 'nursing shortage'. I wish people would just GET IT! I am not an idiot, I just can't get a job!

thanks for listening to me vent.

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

I know what you mean. I am thankful that so many people care about me but it is starting to get frustrating. What really gets me is when people tell me about their best friend's sister's cousin's girlfriend's niece who works at such-and-such hospital. They want me to contact someone I don't know to ask about RN positions. And that never gets me anywhere. One person even told me to lie about having experience. Don't you think the hospital will check to make sure I have experience? Plus I want to be properly trained as a new grad. I just don't know how much more of this I can take. If I get to one year (which is close) without a job I don't think I will re-new my license. My family and friends will probably think I am nuts but my mental health is just not worth it. I guess it just isn't "meant to be".

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.

I'm glad that I am not alone. My husband had been pushy since Nov 09 when I passed my NCLEX. He made me call all the LTCs, nursing homes and staffing companies found in the phone directory. He made me call his boss sister who manages a home health agency. He made me call all the doctor clinics near our area. And you know what I got? Rejection letters. Lots of it. Some didn't even call me back. I feel pathetic. One of the reasons why I moved here because my husband sweet talked me on how easy I could get a job as a nurse here. I just wish everything was easy and that this economy would get better. I'm glad that I'll be having a job interview this Monday. My very 1st interview after dozens of applications I had sent out. Let's just hang in there! Let's just keep our fighting spirit alive. It might be stormy now but it can't rain forever. Good Luck on the Job Search!

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I know what you mean. I am thankful that so many people care about me but it is starting to get frustrating. What really gets me is when people tell me about their best friend's sister's cousin's girlfriend's niece who works at such-and-such hospital. They want me to contact someone I don't know to ask about RN positions. And that never gets me anywhere. One person even told me to lie about having experience. Don't you think the hospital will check to make sure I have experience? Plus I want to be properly trained as a new grad. I just don't know how much more of this I can take. If I get to one year (which is close) without a job I don't think I will re-new my license. My family and friends will probably think I am nuts but my mental health is just not worth it. I guess it just isn't "meant to be".

Hi Prinsessa,

It breaks my heart to know that you don't think about renewing your license. If you came into nursing for the right reason and have made it through nursing school as well as passing the boards, then you're meant to be a nurse. Please don't give up. A new day, a new year, brings new luck and new opportunities. If you become desperate, maybe consider moving to another state to look for jobs instead up giving up nursing altogether. Some of my classmates got hired in NC and Texas before we even graduated...and they were not the brightest students. Goodluck on your Job Search and stay positive!

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Specializes in medical surgical.

good luck

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

While I TOTALLY understand, this does have a silver lining. I was dead sick of it too, people emailing me with "there's lots of openings at the hospital in X state, just move your entire family!" Then I'd go look and all the openings said the same thing- "NO NEW GRADS, 1+ yrs experience REQUIRED." Um, so they aren't interested in me enough to make me move my kids and husband, sorry.

OTOH I started answering "Great! Can you take my resume to the manager?" The result is a job. Not a great hospital job with new grad orientation and pay that makes our worries go away. But it's a job. From someone at a Holiday party who's husband works with my husband.

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it's very frustrating... and very hard for new grads right now and also old grad with no experience. Don't ever be discouraged w/ the job hunt! There is some place out there that wants you but you just havent found it yet. Thought of relocating?

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.
Hi Prinsessa,

It breaks my heart to know that you don't think about renewing your license. If you came into nursing for the right reason and have made it through nursing school as well as passing the boards, then you're meant to be a nurse. Please don't give up. A new day, a new year, brings new luck and new opportunities. If you become desperate, maybe consider moving to another state to look for jobs instead up giving up nursing altogether. Some of my classmates got hired in NC and Texas before we even graduated...and they were not the brightest students. Goodluck on your job search and stay positive!

Right now I want to be a nurse more than anything else. I am starting to get very depressed about not finding a job. I just don't know how much longer I can do this. I can't move to another state because I have kids and a husband with a stable job. Some nights I am up until 3 am crying because I fell like such a loser. I know I'm not but being rejected over and over is hard to take. My mom keeps saying not getting hired is not a rejection but to me it is. This whole job hunt makes me feel like I am stalking someone who wants nothing to do with me. Interviews seem like horrible first dates. One nurse recruiter called me and said to stop applying for jobs at that hospital. If they want to interview me they will call me. There is a thin line between being persistent and just plain annoying and I think I crossed it. btw, I only applied at this hospital 5 times in 10 months.

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While I TOTALLY understand, this does have a silver lining. I was dead sick of it too, people emailing me with "there's lots of openings at the hospital in X state, just move your entire family!" Then I'd go look and all the openings said the same thing- "NO NEW GRADS, 1+ yrs experience REQUIRED." Um, so they aren't interested in me enough to make me move my kids and husband, sorry.

OTOH I started answering "Great! Can you take my resume to the manager?" The result is a job. Not a great hospital job with new grad orientation and pay that makes our worries go away. But it's a job. From someone at a Holiday party who's husband works with my husband.

One thing that baffles me reading these boards is that when I look at local hospitals in my area, they have openings left and right for RNs. Most do not give specifications regarding experience, but that does not mean they will take new grads. But what sense does it make to keep a bunch of jobs open and not fill them with a perfectly qualified RN? You mean they would rather remain short staffed than hire a new grad?

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Specializes in Home Care.

Its the same situation here, lots of jobs for experienced nurses, nothing for new LPNs or RNs. Its very frustrating and depressing.

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One nurse recruiter called me and said to stop applying for jobs at that hospital. If they want to interview me they will call me. There is a thin line between being persistent and just plain annoying and I think I crossed it. btw, I only applied at this hospital 5 times in 10 months.

wow the recruiter is mean...

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Wow. I'm just starting to read these post replies. I just got my license last week, applied for 4 positions/hospitals, and I'm getting worried I might not have anywhere to work! I felt like 4 positions was kind of a lot... but I guess not! I just started, and more than determined to find a job.... as of now. Wish you the best in finding a job, too.

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