I need a job!! ANY job!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I'm venting. So my problem is that I can't find a job...anywhere, it seems. I'm usually optimistic and bubbly, but today I'm just annoyed. I feel like it's waaay too hard for me to find a job and that people are focusing waaay too much on the fact that I'm a nursing student. Yes! I am a nursing student. Yes! I will be graduating in May! Lets get over it.

In the meantime.....I'm still in school and I can work weekends. I STILL have to pass the NCLEX-RN which could take any length of time to pass. If I'm blessed enough to pass it the first time, then hooray for me. If not, I must try, try again. THEN I have to send resumes/call hospitals and pray that someone gives me a job. This process in and of itself could take a minimum of 6months or I could be line like all the other new nurses and it could take much, much longer. I still need a job. I still need to work. I still need to purchase $3.50 a gallon gasoline. The rent doesn't delay itself just because I'm a nursing student. Wal-Mart still charges me for groceries everytime I get in line. There's no VIP nursing student discount or "get your groceries free" card.

I'm applying everywhere for every position. My friend works at a grocery store and gave me the name of person that I should speak with. I interviewed with this grocery store today and it was the most awkward interview. The first thing that she told me was that she really needed to hire a male for the positon. Awkward. So, why did you agree to see me was my thought.

We talked and I felt like she really liked me. She told me how bright I was, how great my personality was, how I had a beautiful smile and that they could really use someone like me, it's wonderful that I wanted to work weekends.... but I also felt like she couldn't get past me being a nursing student. All she talked about was the licensing process and something about her niece being an RN. She asked me if I applied at the hospitals and I had to explain the whole, "the economy", "hiring freezes", "some hospitals not wanting to hire new grads", "how long the hiring process sometimes takes". She was quite fixated on me, THE NURSE. It was as if, I was from Pluto!

She ended the interview by mentioning something about some employee that it "may" not be working out with because she keeps calling out, but that she's going to give her another chance because the employee has a baby. She said that she would keep me at the TOP of her list. It was strange. I applied for an open position online. Not someone else's current position. I'm baffled. I'm just looking for a job. The economy is tough. Who knows how quickly this graduation to licensing process will be, but I still need to work. I would leave off my education but it would leave a gap. Maybe I can just be a "business" major on any future applications.

Has anyone had this problem? What do I do? :confused:

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Well for starters, if you were on an interview and they told you they "really had to hire a male" they just violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and you could call this number:

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

(The federal agency that enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws)

(800) 669-4000: Toll-free phone number that automatically connects you to your local EEOC office.

The federal law prohibiting sexual discrimination in the workplace is Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Title VII applies to private employers, state and local government employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, and joint employer-union apprenticeship programs with 15 or more employees.

Just keep applying to jobs though, one will come through.

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Try to get your foot in the door at a nursing home or long term acute hospital setting. They are usually more open to hiring new grads and many places tell you that you must pass the nclex within some days of hire(usually 60-90days). Look at non-profit organizations or any place that would see you and your future RN potential and want to capitalize on it. I personally have never had a problem getting jobs but I apply and look for openings in non-conventional places. For example, the jails and prisons are always hiring even though it may just be data entry. Also, non-profits many times have higher turnover rates due to their inability to pay staff high wages/lesser benefits.

Be creative!!:jester:

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Well for starters, if you were on an interview and they told you they "really had to hire a male" they just violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and you could call this number:

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

(The federal agency that enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws)

(800) 669-4000: Toll-free phone number that automatically connects you to your local EEOC office.

The federal law prohibiting sexual discrimination in the workplace is Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Title VII applies to private employers, state and local government employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, and joint employer-union apprenticeship programs with 15 or more employees.

Just keep applying to jobs though, one will come through.

Thanks! Certainly tempted! That would definitely be the thing to do. This is a LARGE grocery chain on the East Coast. I couldn't believe my ears! She even explained her rationale for wanting to hire a male... "because they can do so much more...in the evening hours, their presence could deter people who might try to do things...

I suppose women have NEVER, EVER bagged groceries or stocked shelves. :banghead:

And EVERYONE knows that no one has EVER held a MAN up at gun point. It just doesn't happen. MEN have presence.

I'm going to pass though because I don't want to cause problems for my friend that works there.

They are sooooooo lucky my friend works there!!! :redbeathe

I will definitely continue my job search! Thanks for your response and the info.

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.

You're actually funny, articulate and write very well...you could freelance for a while. Just saying...

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Not to add to your discouragement, but I'm in the same boat. I graduated in December, passed my NCLEX on the first try in February and still have no options. Even nursing homes in my area want experienced nurses. It doesn't help that well meaning friends and family keep saying "Really?? I thought there was a nursing shortage??" If I had a nickel...

Right now I'm a substitute teacher - however, I have been seeing many postings for places that work with clients with disabilities. I know this isn't for everyone, but you never know until you try and it would look better on a resume than retail since it is still in the field of healthcare. Consider also that many DD clients are pretty independent so you may be able to study some while you are at work. Always a plus!

Good luck. Personally, I have days when I'm ready to walk away from the thought of nursing all together. :uhoh21:

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You're actually funny, articulate and write very well...you could freelance for a while. Just saying...

Thanks! I am open to ALL suggestions and any job opportunity that I can find.

McDonald's even has my application.

I'm not above flipping burgers. :clown:

Thanks for the compliment!

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The problem isn't that your're a nursing student, the problem is that you're graduating in a few months and would obviously not be staying long at the potential minimum wage job. From the employer's point of view, there's no sense hiring you, spending time and money to train you on the register, when you're going to quit in July/August. Even if you try looking for an aid job in healthcare, you'll run into the same issue - why train you as a PCA or CNA when you're going to quit within a few months? Either look for jobs that are specifically short-term temp jobs (like through an agency) or find some way to hang on until graduation.

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I understand what you are saying. I even stopped by McDonalds to see about a job. I graduated from RN school in 1999 (as an older grad) and feel that my age at present is a factor, even though it is not susposed to be. Also, I didn't work in the hospital after graduation, so I don't have the hospital experience often requested. I really want to teach and do a good job at it, just can't find anything local to do. Has anyone found anything to do per the internet?

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Don't get discouraged. It took over me 60 applications to get a job. I would just keep plugging away. I would also put your resume and application on sites that will send it out for you and sign up on hospital and nursing hom sites that will tell you when new jobs are posted.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Do you have to state that you are a nursing student during your interview?

I dont understand why it would even have to come up. Simply state what hours you are available. It is none of their business what you do while you are not at work. If a situation arises later where it must be brought up, that would be after you got the job.

Also, its not like employers at places like restaurants and grocery stores think that the people they hire will make lifetime careers out of it. Not that they are not great jobs (I appreciate every job I had while I was looking for a RN position), but they wouldnt hire highschool seniors if they werent sure people were going to leave at some point. If you were able to get hired at a place like this they have to assume you wont be there forever, but telling someone up front that you are in nursing school (as proud of it as you may be) is just a huge reminder that you may be leaving sooner than later. Just my two cents...

Good Luck -in finding a job and in finishing school!

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Then I think you should post the link to those jobs for everyone here.

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