New BSN, 6 months, no interview. How long before I hang it up?

Nurses General Nursing

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Just wondering if anyone has encountered a situation where s/he is searching for work and just can't find any? I graduated with a BSN last year. Good grades, solid work history in a different industry. I've had no interviews, just a stack of "you don't meet our qualifications" letters which seem to be based on having no prior healthcare experience.

I'm curious at what point you say 'It was an expensive experiment, and a nursing job is not going to happen... hang it up." ?

I'm very near that point. I've been expanding my job searches outside of nursing in the last month. In May, another crop of grads will come out and I'll have been out since September. HR people will look at me as being "rusty" in comparison with those grads. I've looked for refresher courses in my area, but found none.

It seems as though the longer I'm out and not employed as a nurse, the slimmer my chances of ever being employed as a nurse.

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I am sorry to hear you are going through this. I am in nursing school, and your post kind of scares me!

I think you might want to try volunteering or seeking an externship in the type of unit you hope to work for. As you do this, you will be networking, and someone is likely to know of a position for you. Also, talk to the school you graduated from, and see if the nursing department faculty know anyone who is a hiring manager or connected to one.

Best wishes for a job soon!

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

If this is possible, you may consider moving to another part of the country in which there are nursing jobs for new grads.

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just wondering if anyone has encountered a situation where s/he is searching for work and just can't find any? i graduated with a bsn last year. good grades, solid work history in a different industry. i've had no interviews, just a stack of "you don't meet our qualifications" letters which seem to be based on having no prior healthcare experience.

i'm curious at what point you say 'it was an expensive experiment, and a nursing job is not going to happen... hang it up." ?

...

if you want to be a nurse then the answer is never - you don't give up. switch up your application m.o. (i.e. the types of nursing jobs you've been applying for), and if this is a regional problem then consider moving. i have a friend who waited 7 years to get the job he wanted. he worked other places during this time but the point is that he didn't give up.

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Holy cow, I am so sorry. If I had ANY other income I would seriously tell you you could have my job...bad as my job is. I'm so saddened that we desperately need nurses yet no place is hiring! What in the world is wrong with this country?

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Specializes in Nursing Informatics, E.R., med surg, ENT.

as mentioned by the other posters...do not give up...you are a nurse and are meant to be one. i also agree with the possibility of relocating. i have made other postings rearding this topic with other nurses with a similiar situation.

https://allnurses.com/first-year-after/cant-find-job-378257-new.html

that's one of the postings i think.

don't lose the focus and even be more determined.

good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Acute Dialysis.
:D Move up to GA my hospital has multiple positions posted right now and welcomes new grads.
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I was raised in rural Alaska and I can tell you that there is a *severe* nursing shortage almost everywhere throughout the state. I have several friends who graduated from nursing school and moved back to my hometown as new grads and were very employable, even as new grads. And their starting pay is phenomenal! My hunch is that you may have to move to a more rural location, where they really do have a need for nurses- even inexperienced ones.

Alaska is not for everyone, though. You either love it or hate it.

Don't give up- be persistent, vigilant, and if you really want to be a nurse, nothing in the world can stop you.

Good luck!

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Specializes in OR Hearts 10.

Unfortunetly, you are in one of the areas that seem to not be doing much hiring, if any. Come on over to East Texas, we have lot's of opening and are hiring to fill them.

Good luck

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Specializes in CVICU.

Rural areas are often looking for nurses. It may not be fun to have to relocate or commute, but consider doing it to at least get some experience under your belt. Then once you have some experience, perhaps you will land a more desirable job.

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I'm in the same situation as you are, I graduated December of last year. Though it is depressing and frustrating at times, I tried to keep a positive outlook in the future. In the meantime (of being unemployed), I'm volunteering in ER in one of the hospitals and familiarizing myself with EKG in preparation for ACLS certification. I think this will help me stand out amongst the other appplicants. These take efforts but it is a necessary steps to market myself to the organization.

Just hang in there, the sun will hopefully shine soon :wshgrt:

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Specializes in MS.

Hey, i am in the same situation. Graduated in Dec. and no job. Right now, i am willing to move to a rural area to get a job. I have sch. loans to pay. Where are u living right now?

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