I have moved to northern Florida (Ft. Walton Beach specficially) from Hawaii 6 days after graduating with my BSN. I'm a single mother of a 2 and a half year old daughter and could no longer afford living in a state with one of the highest cost of living in the country on my own. Also, nurses work 12 hour shifts and I had no dependable childcare for such a long period of time. I have moved in with my father so he can help watch his granddaughter while I get two feet planted on the ground. I took my NCLEX on February 19th and found out the next day that I passed. Since then, I have applied for several nursing positions in hospitals in the area, only to be immediately rejected the next day. I've applied for jobs as far as Pensacola, an hour's drive away, and continue to face rejection. Applications for patient care tech/certified nurse aide are often rejected as well. I currently have 9 applications "under review" at Sacred Heart Pensacola as a patient care tech/unit secretary in several different units. However, I have not received any calls for interviews.
I am writing in hopes of finding answers to a plethora of questions. First, does anyone in the area know of any tactics I can attempt in order to follow up on my applications under review and receive an interview? I have no problem starting as a tech/aide and proving to a hospital that I'm a valuable employee and capable of working as a nurse. I am confident that as long as I get an interview, I can prove my worth and become hired. All it takes it someone giving me a chance.
Also, does anyone know of any hospitals in the area that hires new grads as RN's or LPN's? I'm at such a loss as far as what I can do to get a leg up and get myself into an interview room. I've been without work for almost three months due to the move and preparation for the NCLEX and can't hold out for much longer. My savings account is reaching its end and I need a job ASAP.
Thanks for reading and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hey! I got your PM's but haven't gotten around to replying yet. Sorry for the late response! Do you have an email address I can email you at, since allnurses won't let me PM you? I feel like there's a lot to relay! I want to hear all about your orientation, too!
K Murphy, just a hint from a long time poster here. Head over to the NCLEX forums, post 10-12 messages of congrats to people who just passed. You'll pass your 15 message limit, be able to send private messages, and spread a little good will in the interim! Short messages (Congrats! Great job!) work as well as 1-2 paragraphs to meet that 15 post minimum.
Best of luck in the Fort Walton area. I used to live nearby a LONG time ago.
Thanks for the advice! I see you specialize in the NICU. I'm working on getting into the NICU at a hospital nearby! Awesome meeting someone with the same interests!
This is sort of an unconventional question. As an experienced NICU nurse, what are 5-10 of the most common drugs you give to your patients? I don't have an interview with the unit manager yet, but I'd like to put together some flashcards to help me with these just in case. Pharmacology is not my strong suit, and I'm putting it out there to the universe that I'm getting a job in the NICU, so I'd like to start preparing.
I still haven't had any correspondence from the NICU manager, but thank you for the med list either way. I'll begin looking into those if/when I am called for an interview. Thanks again!
Hey, I just wanted to check in and see how your search was coming along? I am graduating in August and will be looking for a job in Pensacola too. I started applying this past week. Praying for a call back.
I think that area is flooded with nursing schools and have an over-abundance of applicants. I am from Pensacola and it seems everybody is either a nurse or in nursing school. Just because they have a job listed doesn't mean there is actually a job available, either. Some hospitals are slow at updating their job listings.
I'll be graduating in less than 30 days!! how'd the job search go for you guys? Im currently living in South florida and will be moving up shortly after finishing school. Any tips/tricks on how I can land a job up there? I think I'd really love to work at Sacred Heart if possible.
Hopefully having a BSN will give me a leg up. I'm trying to get as many certifications as I can too with hopes of standing out.
ForeverDreaming
48 Posts
Hey! I got your PM's but haven't gotten around to replying yet. Sorry for the late response! Do you have an email address I can email you at, since allnurses won't let me PM you? I feel like there's a lot to relay! I want to hear all about your orientation, too!