Frustrated by job search.

[NJFek]

I graduated in May this year and received my license in June. I was so excited feeling like I was beginning an entirely new journey. My excitment is gone now and all that remains is utter frustration!!

I can't even count how many positions I have put in for. Out of all of them, only two have even been forwarded for manager review. None have resulted in even a phone call or email let alone an interview (I haven't even gotten confirmation emails from one hospital stating that they've received my applications)! Most of the time I'm told that the hospital is considering other candidates, but sometimes I'm told I'm not qualified. I am very good about reading the qualifications so that I don't apply for a position that I'm not qualified for. It seems as though hospitals are looking for mainly experienced nurses, which I understand (it isn't like I'm applying for highly specialized areas... I WANT med/surg to begin with).

Some (not many... three that I can think of right now... from a graduating class of 144) of my friends from RN school have already gotten positions because they either had CNA experience (understandable) or they (their words) "knew someone".

I'm getting so frustrated with the red tape and not even getting any responses back from these places that I'm on the verge of working at Lowe's and calling it good for a while... I do NOT want to do that, but my husband recently retired from the military and we only have TWO full paychecks left before we lose half our pay... we have a mortgage, car payments... all the normal bills. Neither of us even qualifies for unemployment, so I have NO idea what we're going to do here.

I've revamped my resume and I'm picking up a letter of recommendation from a prof tomorrow. I will also be going directly into human resource departments at two of the hospitals that I have applied at to drop off my resume and ask which positions I AM qualified for. Is there anything else I should do??? Would volunteering at a local hospital help? I'll obviously get NO nursing experience from that, but I can't think of anything else to do.

Our instructors did talk about the shortage in school, but they didn't try to sugar coat the economy and the effects that might have on us finding jobs, but I had no idea that the shortage is only in experienced areas.

If anyone has any tips or advice, I welcome it!

FYI... I live in southern Georgia but I am licensed in Florida (more hospitals... I thought it would provide more opportunities for me since we only have one local hospital up here), and I can't even apply for a Georgia endorsement until I have worked in FL for three months (GA state law).

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

This is probably not prime time for getting a job in FL - this is the off season, and with the Gulf issue, tourism is down.

Just try to give it time.

My thoughts are with you.

[goodstudentnowRN]

I am going through the same thing...Just continue to try...Very frustrating. I graduated 7 months ago and no job. I got my license in March.

[NJFek]

Thanks, Carol... "Good"~ If you don't mind my asking, have you been working in the medical field at all? I'm seriously thinking I'm probably just going to have to take A job, any job to feed my kids. Have never been in this position before and will do everything in my power to ensure it never happens again. No matter what the cost to me.

[BKCinNOLA]

I was a May '09 and spent 12 (yes, TWELVE) months on the job hunt before I finally was offered a full-time position. It's going to be a long, frustrating, often depressing road, but it will come to an end! Stay positive and as optimistic as possible, this is just the beginning for you.

I can tell you that I worked flu clinics, retail, and volunteered at a hospital during my hunt for a nursing position (couldn't work as a CNA because I had my RN license), and the thing that paid off for me the most was my volunteering. I volunteered with the Child Life Dept on the peds floor of a major teaching hospital. While I as devasted after I interviewed for a nursing position on the floor and being told 'we just need someone with experience,' I found a job as a nurse with an Early Childhood Intervention program. What impressed them most was my time spent volunteering with Child Life. If you can/have time volunteer (even if its just once a week). Best of luck with your Job Search. Keep us updated on your progress!

[NJFek]

BKC, That is very discouraging, but I'm thankful that you were honest with me (and I'm happy for you that you finally landed that job! Congratulations!) I sent an email request to the children's hospital in my area requesting more information about volunteering there. I did see on their website that they have volunteers in their outpatient surgery area (and also an RN position!!). I told them that I'm interested in volunteering in the surgery center but I'm open to other areas. The hospital is a half hour drive from my house and with losing so much income, I have no clue how long I'll be able to do it, but hopefully I won't have to for too long. I realize I haven't been at this for that long, but already it is so frustrating.

I just don't understand the hesitation to hire new nurses. Nurses already are overloaded, hospitals are understaffed... I get the liability thing and that certain areas require expertise that I just don't have right now, but just because we're graduates doesn't mean we are incompetent. Every nurse started where I am right now, even the managers... you'd think they would remember where they came from.

I feel like I'm trying to break into a secret club and I'm starting to wonder if I really want to be a part of it... which is sad because nursing is the only career I have ever seriously considered... but I guess it doesn't matter anyway, with the amount of time and money I have invested in this, I'm locked. I know that right now the frustration is doing most of the talking and hopefully one day (soon) my outlook will change but... grr ;0).

[KMC-RN-BSN-710]

I hear you loud and clear!! I have 7 years of health care experience and have gone on some interviews, but sadly I have not been chosen either. All I can say is revamp your resume and cover letter and call the recruiters or email them to find out the status of your application. A hospital website must get 100's of applications a day for multiple positions. My advice sell yourself and your qualities and keep applying and call the hospitals to find out the recruiters names and ask to be transferred and leave a message. Persistence is Key!! I keep getting interviews and I am hoping that soon enough the right job, at the right place will pick me. Think of it this way. You KNOW you are an asset to them and remember that any hospital or medical facility that chooses to employ you will be lucky. I really do feel your pain though, after all the hard work it is hard to hear that all your classmates have jobs, it's the same thing with me. I went to school in the southern part of Illinois, and I am from the Chicagoland area. Keep up the search and something will find you and don't limit yourself to just med/surge either apply for anything and everything who knows what you will be called for :)

[LaliRN]

I'm having the same problem! I graduated in late April and got my Florida Licensure in June and I've been applying since and most of my replies have been rejection letters via email. I had an interview last week and an offer yesterday for a full time position, however it is 60 miles away from my house and I cannot afford to relocate at the moment so I am so confused on what to do Things are just as bad in Florida, at least in South Florida. Most of the positions available are for experienced nurses in specialty areas such as ICU, pediatrics, etc. and nothing for new grads. There are some residency/versant programs available but due to the surplus of new grads it is highly competitive and there is practically a

[NJFek]

You know, at this point, I would probably take the position. You do have to consider how bad traffic will be, hours that you will be working and how much time you are willing to spend on the road, but I would probably take it if there were no other prospects.

[NJFek]

Went and picked up the letter from my prof today and dropped it and a copy of my resume at a major local health system. I get the feeling that it probably won't help much because most of the positions are specialized, but we'll see. Will be dropping them off at another hospital this week.

[LaliRN]

I am going to give it a lot of thought tonight! thanks for your input :)

I wish you the best of luck on your search, I think it will pay off as you have been putting in a lot of time and effort!

[LMoonRN]

NJFek,

I feel your pain! I just graduated with a BSN in May and got licensed in Massachusetts in June. I have sent in numerous applications to hospitals, nursing homes, rehabs, assisted living facilities, and clinics. I have not gotten one call or email in response. I just get emails verifying that they received my info and that they will contact me if I meet the qualifications for the job posting. I get the same response when I call HR departments to follow up. I don't know what to do anymore. I am signed up for every job website out there to get job alerts through email. I realize I do not have experience an actual RN but I think some of what I did in my four years should count as experience. I did a 200 hour preceptorship senior year on a Cardiovascular Surgical Unit where I was handling four patients almost completely autonomously. Additionally, I did clinicals in Med-Surg, Pedi, Maternity, Psych, Community Health , and ICU. I have been an aide in a nursing home and on Med-Surg. I was involved in many activities and community service on and off my college campus. I am so disheartened. I am about to cry. How much more can I sell myself? I need money. I can't survive on nothing. I am really going to have to sign up for unemployment. I can no longer work as an aide since I got my nursing license so I have no income.