Frustrated and the custard doughnut did not help

[elprup, BSN, RN]

It is 2012, I graduated 2008 with my BSN, and have yet to land a coveted RN job. First one did not work out....they expected me to function as an experienced nurse with zero ezperience! Hello, evidence based practice states it takes upwards of a year to become proficient and not task orientated.

I then interviewed for Versant new grad position. Got to 2nd interview and then disqualified because they said I was no longer a new grad due to my few months of "experience". So I could not get a staff nurse position or a new grad position! And I had moved my tweens over 300 miles twice in one year for those two jobs, right after their Dad died unexpectedly.

*So here I am. I tried LTC and loved the patients but could not tolerate the illegal things that were going on. Then I took lower job at rural federally funded medical clinic and stayed for a year, and totally loved it, and learned a ton, until I could not stand being utilized as an RN Floor Nurse and their Triage Nurse, for such low pay.

Now that I am back to applying for RN jobs I am fighting with this previous employer as to why they will not state they utilized me as a registered and triage nurse! Because, now jobs still think I have zero experience, even though I have a year of clinic experience!!!

Get this, recently, I was tentatively offered a Clinic Nurse job with Veterans Administration, but at the very end of their long hiring process, they withdrew their offer because my former employer refused to state that I worked as RN and Triage Nurse (which only an RN can legally perform but they have LVN's doing it now). Oh and because my reference letters were not from Nurse Managers or Supervisors. Well, when I worked there, there was no Nurse Manager and No Medical Director..which I stated my concerns about. *I did have a supervisor for the first 3 months of my employment, and she did write me an amazing reference, but VA would not accept it because she was an LVN and legally should not have been my supervisor. Now you know some of the other reasons I quit working there after my year was up. Now, no VA job for me. And yes, I told them all this at my interview!

I am soo frustrated with nursing and doing everything right (professional resume, getting my BSN, PHN, BLS, ACLS, Suit, thank you notes, personalized cover letter, *volunteering, classes, applying everywhere, researching the job and company, blah blah blah...) Seven other jobs I applied for told me I was their second choice because of my lack of acute care experience. I understand the economic situation and have been really thinking out if the box, but I am so frustrated!

*Now looking into a refresher course, even though I read and review nursing info almost every day. Not sure it will even help me at this point. I never thought getting an RN position would be easy in California, but jesus, it is wicked hard if not impossible. And now that I am a very "old, stale Grad with no acute care experience", I do not know if it is even doable. *I was not a CNA or LVN before I went back to school for second career.

*I am really really really frustrated. I could go back to volunteering, back to school, or just plain retire. I knew this would be difficult, and I am trying to be positive, but come on. I cannot move my teenagers again, they are finally settled and accomplishing their goals. *If I have to move for part of the week I will. But nobody will give me the time of day. They all give me that look, like, well if you have not found a job yet, we do not want you either.

Any ideas.....shoot them my way. *I need some

.*PS my apple computer seems to have a mind of it's own, rearranging my spelling???? And the custard doughnut I just ate did not help me feel better. :)

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

Paragraphs!

I need paragraphs!

[beeebs]

I say include Nursing Assistant / Patient Care Tech positions at major hospitals in your job search. I realize that some hospitals systems will not do this for liability reasons, and some nurses don't support doing this for the same reasons..... but I know from experience that if you find a hospital that will hire RNs as NAs/PCTs, they DO prefer to hire internally because it saves them money and time and is less risky for them - and for you it can essentially act like a very long interview where you can shine, show initiative, and network. At the very least it is something to put on your resume that shows you are keeping up with direct patient care in some form. I know that the VA, in particular, will do this because it takes SO long to hire folks from the outside. It's much easier if the applicant is already in the system.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

at least you were even able to interview with the va, i can't until i finish all my classes and my bsn is officially conferred since my asn is not from an accredited institution. i'm sorry that your previous employer is being such a but. is there no va clinic positions you can apply for? also anyway to get a copy of the job description from your prior employer to prove what your job was. also, them not admitting what your job really was is keeping you from finding employment....sounds illegal to me. have you tried civilian military nursing on bases? army, navy, and air force hire civilian nurses. so does the forestry service, school nurse on military bases, bureau of prisons, etc. www.usajobs.com; look up job series 0610 which is registered nurse.

i also feel your pain, i'm also in that stale grad stage with just enough experience to not qualify for most new grad programs but not enough for any staff nurse position. i too tried the out of state thing too and it didn't work out. now i will soon finish the classes for the coveted bsn and i am now applying out of state again, even though i can't afford it.

we will find something. i know you don't want to uproot your teens, talk to them. find out if they would be supportive of you trying again and where would you try to look.

[elprup, BSN, RN]

I agree, I just need to find more options. Thanks for the support. I really needed it. I am working on it. : ) and checking out long term care centers over an hour out of my area and hoping their facility is not as dangerous as the last one I tried.

Just so dang depressing. I thought some experience....at least, would give me some kind of boost.

[elprup, BSN, RN]

Paragraphs!

I need paragraphs!

I did type it with paragraphs? My apologies if it did not come out that way. Not sure why it doesn't anymore.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I didn't actually think you could get an interview at the VA! After the huge application and wondering if all of the correct paperwork was submitted, you landed an interview!!!! I was beginning to think it was all just a fantasy. I'm sorry you're going through such a difficult time. Hugs to you!

[zoe.ysobel]

I am sorry to hear what you are going through. Some days are like these, but i am sure other days would be brighter. Just keep holding on. Hugs!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Paragraphs! I need paragraphs!

I see paragraphs!

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

I see paragraphs!

I edited it and reformatted it with paragraphs. :)

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Have you considered flu clinics? I just re-upped with The Flu Clinic That Must Not be Named (think pollen) for the season, which starts in August. I initially applied with them 2 years ago, when I was between jobs and considering dropping out of nursing completely. It's seasonal per-diem work with no benefits, but it's a nursing job. My first season I worked with a lot of nurses who were either between jobs or new grads.

[elprup, BSN, RN]

Yes, done flu clinics. Thank you for the replies. I did land a job recently, as a district school nurse, and although I like it, it pays soooo low that I called HR to make sure my check was correct. I plan on taking more classes and just keep trying. My son graduates this year, so I can relocate after June. It has to get better!!!!!